8TH ANNUAL MWBEES 2026 |THE GROWTH SUMMIT
About this Event
Join Us at the 8TH ANNUAL MWBEES 2026 |THE GROWTH SUMMIT!
Get ready for an amazing in-person experience where ideas spark and connections grow. This event is all about collaboration, innovation, and taking your ventures to the next level. Whether you're here to network, learn, or just have a great time, the MWBEES 2026 Growth Summit has got you covered. Don't miss out on the energy and excitement – see you there!
Opening
🕑: 09:00 AM - 10:30 AM
Opening General Session
Presentation of the “Empowerment Catalyst Award
Host: Margaret(Meg)O’Connell, Dir. Emer., Allyn Family Fdn.
Info: Presentation of the “Empowerment Catalyst Award,” to Margaret (Meg) O’Connell, Director Emeritus, Allyn Family Foundation for “economic empowerment, systemic change, and lasting partnerships.”
Fireside Chat
Host: he Honorable Mayor Sharon F. Owens, City of Syracuse, NY
Plenary Session Rooms I
🕑: 10:45 AM - 11:45 AM
Plenary Session Rooms I
Get Funding Ready; Connect with Local Funding Programs and People
Info: With the rapid increase of online lenders, business owners have many more funding options available to them, but some are predatory and come at a high cost. This session will review what local funding options are available to entrepreneurs and how to secure capital to start or grow a business. Led by Sherri Falck of Pursuit, this session will break down the current lending landscape and how to find a funder and lending program that is right for you. Walk away with how to prepare for funding so when you’re in need of capital, you have the network and knowledge to access it.
Building a Brand That Creates Business Growth: Aligning Marketing, Messaging,
Info: In today’s crowded marketplace, organizations can no longer rely on marketing alone to drive sustainable growth. This session explores how strategic branding, clear messaging, and integrated marketing work together to increase visibility, build trust, strengthen customer relationships, and create measurable business results. Attendees will learn practical strategies for aligning their brand mission with their marketing efforts, creating authentic connections with their audiences, and positioning their organizations for long-term success and influence.
Crisis Management & Business Continuity
Info: This plenary provides minority business owners with actionable frameworks to navigate disruptions. Attendees will learn to build resilient, adaptable businesses by establishing clear crisis communication strategies, identifying critical business dependencies, and protecting their operations against unexpected emergencies—securing long-term stability and growth.
Plenary Session Rooms II
🕑: 12:00 PM - 01:00 PM
Plenary Session Rooms II
How Certification Opens Doors to Contracts and Capital
Info: Certification is just the beginning. This session moves beyond the application process to explore how entrepreneurs can actively leverage their certified status to access procurement opportunities, corporate supplier diversity programs, and funding that requires certification as a qualifier. Panelists will include certification specialists and business owners who have used their certification to open doors, grow revenue, and build lasting partnerships.
Should I Use AI in My Business?Build the AI toolkit your business needs
Info: AI is in every business conversation right now, but few owners are being shown how it can actually pay off: saving hours, cutting costs, and helping smaller businesses compete with much larger ones. Led by Malini Krishna of Pursuit, AI-certified through Chief and the AI-First Academy, this session shows you how to choose the right AI tools. Protect your business data with privacy guardrails and put AI to work without putting your business at risk. Walk away with an AI Action Plan you can start using in your business this week.
Luncheon
🕑: 01:15 PM - 03:00 PM
Luncheon
Keynote
Host: John Hope Bryant, Founder & Chair, Operation HOPE
Info: John Hope Bryant – recognized by Forbes as one of the 250 Greatest Self-Made Americans on the occasion of our nation’s 250th anniversary – is the founder, chairman, and CEO of Operation HOPE, the nation’s largest nonprofit dedicated to financial literacy and inclusive economics, and the founder and CEO of Bryant Group Ventures. Bryant has built a career transforming economic systems for the underserved. He is a 2026 New York Times Bestselling Author of “Capitalism For All: Inclusive Economics and the Future Proofing Of America.”
Supplier Diversity Expo
🕑: 03:30 PM - 05:00 PM
Supplier Diversity Meet-n-Greet Expo
Where is it happening?
Event Location & Nearby Stays:
USD 28.52 to USD 81.88
