Thursday, November 17th, 2022
The Wadsworth Mansion at Long Hill
421 Wadsworth St, Middletown, CT 06457
November 17th, 2022
Connecticut Minority Business
Economic Summit
Our Future is Now!
Presented By:
On behalf of the:
This event is FREE to attend, thanks to our sponsors and partners.
Who Is This Summit for?
The Connecticut Minority Business Economic Summit will provide important panel discussions and workshops, all-day networking opportunities, and stress-relieving activities aimed at diverse minority and women-owned businesses from all business backgrounds to engage in topics relevant to today's minority business. Participants will have the opportunity to leverage and find synergies to help them succeed in business.
All are welcome: Women, as well as people of Hispanic Origin, Latino, African, African American, Caribbean, Black (BIPOC), Native American/Indigenous, Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders (AAPI), South and Central Asian Diaspora, the Middle East, and North Africa.
Sponsored by the CT Minority Business Initiative (MBI) and presented by the Black Business Alliance (BBA), corporations, government entities/agencies, industries, organizations, community-based organizations, chambers, clubs, membership organizations, affinity groups, and foundations are also invited to participate and meet Minority and women-owned businesses.
Minority businesses still need equitable access and more resources to level the playing field, sustain and grow. This happens when these businesses are offered the same economic, contracting, and business utilization opportunities made available to others.
The Wadsworth Mansion at Long Hill Estate
This 1-day Summit is a day you will remember.
Thursday, November 17th, 2022
421 Wadsworth Street in Middletown, Connecticut
7:30am - 8:30pm
Welcome to the Connecticut Minority Business Economic Summit. If you are a woman or a minority-owned business, your future starts right here!
Spend a day with us to get the most valuable information to jump-start, restart, maintain and grow your business.
Discuss and participate in discussions that address top-of-the-mind concerns for minority businesses including access to capital, community and economic development, protecting your business from cyber-attacks and fraud, growing your wealth with Cryptocurrency, building and expanding your brand, and minding your business when it comes to financial management and recovery, and more.
Spend a day with us to get the most valuable information to jump-start, restart, maintain and grow your business.
Discuss and participate in discussions that address top-of-the-mind concerns for minority businesses including access to capital, community and economic development, protecting your business from cyber-attacks and fraud, growing your wealth with Cryptocurrency, building and expanding your brand, and minding your business when it comes to financial management and recovery, and more.
Event Hosts, Moderators, and Producers
Summit Speakers
Thursday, November 17th, 2022
Morning Sessions
Morning Sessions
- 7:30am - 9:30am
- 7:45am - 8:30am
- 8:00am - 8:30am
- 9:00am - 10:00am
- 10:00am - 11:15am
- 10:15am - 11:15am Break Out Session
- 9:00am - 10:00am
- 11:15am - 11:30am Break Out Session
- 11:30am - 12:30pm
- 11:30am - 12:30pm Break Out Session
Terrence Harding
Breakfast Keynote Speaker
Breakfast Keynote Speaker
Breakfast
7:30am - 9:30am
Foyer
Enjoy a full hot & Continental breakfast after your Tai Chi class with Shirley Ha Chock. Network with people you have not met before, reconnect with old business acquaintances, check your emails, or quietly listen to the Tibetan Meditation Bowls with Health & Wellness Expert Tamar Draughn.
Terrence Harding will be the Keynote Speaker during breakfast. Terrence is a member of the Notorious B.I.G.’s rap group Jr. Mafia turned Real Estate Broker to the stars.
Terrence Harding will be the Keynote Speaker during breakfast. Terrence is a member of the Notorious B.I.G.’s rap group Jr. Mafia turned Real Estate Broker to the stars.
Shirley Ha Chock
Aiping Tai Chi
Aiping Tai Chi
Tai Chi Session with Shirley Ha Chock
7:45am - 8:30am
East Summit Room
This is for those who want to get their mind, body, and spirit ready for this Summit. Shirley will take you on a gentle mindful movement journey. For those of you who need physical modification, you can be seated.
The purpose of this experience is for you to have a clear, focused, and calm mind to get the most out of this Summit. Shirley will focus on posture and breathing, and now to stay relaxed and get through the day in the most positive state of mind.
The purpose of this experience is for you to have a clear, focused, and calm mind to get the most out of this Summit. Shirley will focus on posture and breathing, and now to stay relaxed and get through the day in the most positive state of mind.
Tamar Draughn
Health & Wellness Officer
Health & Wellness Officer
Tibetan Bowls Music
8:00 a.m. – 8:30 a.m
Main Room
Anne Marie Knight, E.D., BBA
Opening Remarks & Purpose.
Opening Remarks & Purpose.
Opening Remarks
9:00am - 10:00am
Main Room
Anne Marie Knight, E.D., BBA, Opening Remarks
Howard K. Hill, Co-Chair MBI Opening Remarks, Howard K. Hill Funeral Services
KEYNOTE SPEAKER 9:15 a.m.
Howard K. Hill, Co-Chair MBI Opening Remarks, Howard K. Hill Funeral Services
KEYNOTE SPEAKER 9:15 a.m.
David LehmanCo-Chair MBI Opening Remarks
Commissioner, CT DECD
Commissioner, CT DECD
Howard K HillCo-Chair MBI Opening Remarks,
Howard K. Hill Funeral Services
Howard K. Hill Funeral Services
Alan TanCo-Chairperson, CT CWCSEO
Douglas McCroryState Senator
Dr. Fred McKinney
Moderator - Economist, Author, and Founder, BMJ (Economic) Solutions
Moderator - Economist, Author, and Founder, BMJ (Economic) Solutions
Kim B Hawkins
Introduction of the Moderator, Dr. Fred McKinney
Introduction of the Moderator, Dr. Fred McKinney
A Real Conversation with the Banks About What They are Doing for Minority Businesses When It Comes to Access to Capital, Investment, and Supplier Diversity
10:00am - 11:15am
Main Room
Entrepreneurship can be a strong catalyst for economic mobility and wealth building. The need for capital is critical for businesses to survive, sustain, thrive and grow. Before and since the pandemic minority businesses across the spectrum have experienced varying levels of challenge in securing financing to keep their businesses afloat. Funding still remains a stark challenge for businesses of color.
Come meet and listen to Moderator, Dr. Fred McKinney as he leads a panel discussion with top financial and investment senior executives, and decision-makers to discuss the status of supporting minority businesses.
The panelists will also share what their specific investment strategy is to reach and engage these communities to help your business secure investment, funding, and access to capital. The panelists will talk about their supplier diversity programs and what you need to do business with them.
Come meet and listen to Moderator, Dr. Fred McKinney as he leads a panel discussion with top financial and investment senior executives, and decision-makers to discuss the status of supporting minority businesses.
The panelists will also share what their specific investment strategy is to reach and engage these communities to help your business secure investment, funding, and access to capital. The panelists will talk about their supplier diversity programs and what you need to do business with them.
Our Panelists
David FemiSenior Vice President, Head of Multicultural Banking & Diverse Market Strategy, M&T Bank
Marlon SamuelsVP - Pusuit | Community Finance
Glendowlyn ThamesPublic Policy and Economic Development, Amazon
William CurtinV.P. of Business Banking, Liberty Bank
Sonia AlveloOwner, Latin Financial
Conor Phoenix
Supervisory Special Agent of the cyber squad in the FBI’s New Haven Field Office
Supervisory Special Agent of the cyber squad in the FBI’s New Haven Field Office
Cyber Security Strategies to Protect Your Business
10:00am - 11:00am
West Summit Room
The Internet and being online allows businesses of all sizes and from any location to reach new and larger markets and provides opportunities to work more efficiently by using computer-based tools.
Whether you are a company, adopting cloud computing, or using email, smartphone devices, or IPAD and maintaining a website, cybersecurity needs to be a part of your day-to-day business action plan. The theft of digital information is one of the most reported frauds, exceeding burglary, or physical theft. Every business that uses the Internet or any of the devices above is responsible for creating a culture of security that will primarily protect and enhance your own business and maintain consumer confidence. If your phone, desktop computer, laptop, or notebook has been hacked, or you’ve victim of a scam. This workshop is for you.
Whether you are a company, adopting cloud computing, or using email, smartphone devices, or IPAD and maintaining a website, cybersecurity needs to be a part of your day-to-day business action plan. The theft of digital information is one of the most reported frauds, exceeding burglary, or physical theft. Every business that uses the Internet or any of the devices above is responsible for creating a culture of security that will primarily protect and enhance your own business and maintain consumer confidence. If your phone, desktop computer, laptop, or notebook has been hacked, or you’ve victim of a scam. This workshop is for you.
Anne Marie Knight, E.D., BBA
Opening Remarks & Purpose.
Opening Remarks & Purpose.
Opening Remarks
9:00am - 10:00am
Main Room
Anne Marie Knight, E.D., BBA, Opening Remarks
Howard K. Hill, Co-Chair MBI Opening Remarks, Howard K. Hill Funeral Services
KEYNOTE SPEAKER 9:15 a.m.
Howard K. Hill, Co-Chair MBI Opening Remarks, Howard K. Hill Funeral Services
KEYNOTE SPEAKER 9:15 a.m.
David LehmanCo-Chair MBI Opening Remarks
Commissioner, CT DECD
Commissioner, CT DECD
Howard K HillCo-Chair MBI Opening Remarks,
Howard K. Hill Funeral Services
Howard K. Hill Funeral Services
Alan TanCo-Chairperson, CT CWCSEO
Douglas McCroryState Senator
Carina Yorski
Supplier Diversity
Eversource
Supplier Diversity
Eversource
Opportunities for Women and Minority Owned Businesses
11:15am - 11:30am
Main Room
Carina Yorski of the Supplier Diversity department at Eversource will speak about its active supplier diversity program at Eversource.
Carina will speak to minority and women-owned businesses on what they need to know to be a part of Eversource's Supplier Diversity Program.
If you are interested in doing business with Eversource, this presentation is for you
Carina will speak to minority and women-owned businesses on what they need to know to be a part of Eversource's Supplier Diversity Program.
If you are interested in doing business with Eversource, this presentation is for you
Dan Haar
Hearst Media, Award Winning Business Columnist
Hearst Media, Award Winning Business Columnist
Minority Business Roles in Economic & Community Development to Rebuild Distressed Communities of Color
11:30am - 12:30pm
Main Room
Minority businesses must have the social and economic tools to leverage to rebuild their community without leaving families behind. Revitalization without gentrification must include the Minority Business playing a pivotal role in how this gets done. Award-winning Business Columnist and noted journalist Dan Haar will talk with this panel of experts discussing economic revitalization from their unique perspectives as well as the role of minority businesses, and the importance of focusing on the injection of capital to redress the structural economic roadblocks we face in communities of color.
Our Panelists
Leticia (Colon) Colon de MejiasGreen Eco Warriors
Irving HendersonDeveloper, Hartford Renaissance District
Michele ScottTribal Councilor and Chairwoman of Economic Development Committee
Juan Salas-RomerPresident & CEO/NHR Group/E.D. Knownpreneurs Growth Lab
Manuel Rivera III
Sr. Partner - Coinbridge Partners
Sr. Partner - Coinbridge Partners
The Three T's of Cryptocurrency
11:30am - 12:30pm
West Summit Room
Crypto can be a driver for equity for the minority business owner. Black, Latino, Native American, and Asian professionals and business owners are redefining money and wealth, “fueling a relatively new $3 trillion market, by creating a new financial system.
For those of you who may be locked out of the mainstream financial system, cryptocurrencies can offer you a new opportunity to build wealth and fully participate in the American economy.”
Speaker Manny Rivera will discuss blockchain 101 and the “3T’s of Crypto” – Training, Trading, and Transactions. Training and education are key in this space. Educating minority-owned businesses and professionals on what blockchain is, training on how to operate it, and trading one asset for another is power. Manny will talk about transactions, how they are recorded and what you should know about them to build wealth
For those of you who may be locked out of the mainstream financial system, cryptocurrencies can offer you a new opportunity to build wealth and fully participate in the American economy.”
Speaker Manny Rivera will discuss blockchain 101 and the “3T’s of Crypto” – Training, Trading, and Transactions. Training and education are key in this space. Educating minority-owned businesses and professionals on what blockchain is, training on how to operate it, and trading one asset for another is power. Manny will talk about transactions, how they are recorded and what you should know about them to build wealth
Our Sponsors
We would like to thank all of our generous sponsors and donors for supporting the CT Minority Business Summit.
Event Panelists
Sistah AnyangoFlyy Movement
William CurtinV.P. of Business Banking, Liberty Bank
Zoey GongChinese Herbalist
Dr. Roberta HoskieOutreach Realty Servicing
Conor PhoenixSpecial Agent of the Cyber Squad - FBI
Marlon SamuelsPursuit | Community Finance
Chiziterem "Chizzi" UwagaFounder/COO Smart Seal
Our Partners
We would like to thank all of our partners for supporting the CT Minority Business Summit.
About The MBI
The mission of the Minority Business Initiative (“MBI”) is to promote access and remove barriers to entrepreneurship for Connecticut minorities so that business ownership across Connecticut reflects the state’s demographic makeup.
MBI’s vision is that all Connecticut minorities should have fair and equal opportunity, access and support to pursue entrepreneurship. Many social and environmental factors impact the likelihood an individual will succeed as an entrepreneur. These factors include access to quality education, access to information, adequate food, affordable healthcare, shelter and economic stability, and the degree to which individuals have access to these factors collectively reflects their economic resiliency. As a body within Connecticut’s Department of Economic and Community Development (“DECD”), MBI will strive to address economic resiliency gaps consistent with DECD’s mission and goals, and will seek partners and allies to collaborate with MBI to impact economic resiliency components that fall outside DECD’s charge. With this holistic and collaborative view, MBI seeks to close the business ownership, prosperity and economic resiliency gaps for all Connecticut residents.
Learn More...
MBI’s vision is that all Connecticut minorities should have fair and equal opportunity, access and support to pursue entrepreneurship. Many social and environmental factors impact the likelihood an individual will succeed as an entrepreneur. These factors include access to quality education, access to information, adequate food, affordable healthcare, shelter and economic stability, and the degree to which individuals have access to these factors collectively reflects their economic resiliency. As a body within Connecticut’s Department of Economic and Community Development (“DECD”), MBI will strive to address economic resiliency gaps consistent with DECD’s mission and goals, and will seek partners and allies to collaborate with MBI to impact economic resiliency components that fall outside DECD’s charge. With this holistic and collaborative view, MBI seeks to close the business ownership, prosperity and economic resiliency gaps for all Connecticut residents.
Learn More...
