Conference Returns After 10+-Year Hiatus

(Black PR Wire) STANFORD, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- The Stanford Graduate School of Business (GSB) Black Business Conference is returning to campus on April 28 for the first time since 2006 to inspire and connect alums and students.

The conference at the Knight Management Center is organized by the GSB student-led Black Business Student Association (BBSA), and brings together business industry leaders, current regional executives, and Stanford students and alumni to discuss topics at the forefront in black business leadership and growth.

“The BBSA is so excited to revive this important conference this year,” said Megan Carissa Holston-Alexander, MBA ’18. “We saw a huge need in our area for discussions about innovation and industry leadership through the black lens. The GSB is uniquely positioned to be at the forefront of that work.”

The theme of this year’s conference is A Legacy of Trailblazers: Breaking Barriers and Building Community. The event will include engaging discussions on entrepreneurship, technology, and social justice.

The 2018 lineup is the among the highest profile in the conference’s history. Speakers and topics include:

Keynote Speakers:

• Richelieu Dennis, Founder & CEO, Sundial Brands, moderated by Tristan Walker, Founder & CEO, Walker and Company
• Steve Pamon, President & COO, Parkwood Entertainment

Panels:

• Monetizing Our Culture: Building Businesses with Us in Mind
• Social Justice: A Corporate Responsibility
• Pushing the Frontier: Unlocking Tomorrow's Innovation
• The Founder's Playbook: Creating Your Own Lane

Panelists:

• Jason Mayden, Founder & CEO, Super Heroic
• Diishan Imira, Founder & CEO, Mayvenn
• Morgan DeBaun, Co-Founder & CEO, Blavity
• Julia Collins, Co-Founder & CEO, Zume Pizza
• Melissa Butler, Founder & CEO, The Lip Bar
• Thomas McLeod, Founder & CEO, Omni
• Tavonia Evans, Founder & CEO, GuapCoin
• Andrew Clare, Founder & CEO, Nuro
• Monifa Porter, Head of Product, A3 Ventures
• Maurice Wilkins, Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Program Manager, Chan Zuckerberg Initiative

The conference will also feature a “Startup Pitch Showcase,” where 5 founders will pitch their startup ventures for feedback from a panel of venture capitalists.

The conference is part of a day-long series of events hosted by the BBSA. The BBSA Gala and Tapestry Award Dinner is scheduled for the evening. The Tapestry Award honors an African-American Stanford GSB alumnus or alumna who has woven inspirational leadership, intellectual excellence, and service to others through his or her professional and personal life.

For more information, including a complete list of speakers, and to purchase tickets, please visit http://www.bbsaconference.com

The Black Business Student Association is one of dozens of GSB student-led activity clubs that enrich the academic experience and provide experiential leadership learning.