Word In Black and will convene Black business owners and entrepreneurship leaders to explore the current challenges and opportunities in Black ownership.
Topics will include government contracting, business funding, financial management, business development resources, solo entrepreneurship, tech businesses, and capacity building. This event is co-sponsored with Word In Black’s publishing partner, The AFRO American Newspaper.
The State of Black Businesses Symposium
Wed., October 14, 2026
5:30-6:45 p.m. ET
Moderators:
Dr. Toni Draper, publisher of The AFRO American Newspaper
Shernay Williams, events manager at Word In Black
Panelists:
- Angel St. Jean, CEO at the Equity Brain Trust and the Black Founders Table
- Kimberly Castle Royster, chair of the Baltimore City Chamber of Commerce and CFO at Kimberly Services LLC
- Omar Muhammad, director of the Entrepreneurial Development & Assistance Center at Morgan State University
- Lonna Dawson, founder of Nefer Bookcafe
Register here to watch the event live
See Word In Black’s full list of fall 2026 events.
