Beyond the Panel: Women in Sports, Fashion, Tech
About this Event
Women in Sports, Fashion & Technology
October 24, 2026 | Birmingham, Alabama | Magic City Classic Week
This is not another event where you sit through a panel, take a few notes, take a picture, and leave wondering what to do next.
Beyond the Panel was created for access.
Open to men and women
Access to people.
Access to information.
Access to opportunities.
Access to resources.
Our message is simple:
Panels inspire. Workshops create access.
Beyond the Panel brings together leaders across sports, NIL, athletic administration, fundraising, technology, fashion, branding, media, business, athlete development, and career development.
You will hear from people actually doing the work, then move into our interactive BUILD THE PLAY Innovation Lab, where attendees will work through real challenges and opportunities within sports.
This is for:
- Athletes
- Coaches
- Athletic administrators
- Sports professionals
- Students
- Entrepreneurs
- Branding & Media professionals
- Stylists and fashion creatives
- Technology professionals
- NIL professionals
- Anyone trying to work in or grow within sports
You do not have to be an athlete to belong in this room.
Featured speakers include:
Dr. Paul A. Bryant
Vice President & Director of Athletics, Alabama A&M University
Athletic leadership, fundraising, sponsorships, partnerships, and program growth.
Coach Dawn “The Diva Coach” Thornton
Head Women’s Basketball Coach, Alabama A&M University
Winning, leadership, branding, fashion, visibility, and HBCU sports culture.
Kevin Elliott
NFL/CFL Veteran | NIL Professional | Director of Player Development | International Model
Athlete development, NIL, branding, representation, and life beyond sports.
Jennifer George
Former Professional Basketball Player | Sports Executive | Media Professional
Sports business, philanthropy, athlete development, media, and career transition.
Kobi Wu
Founder & CEO, Cache AI
Sports technology, AI, NIL, athlete valuation, branding, and entrepreneurship.
Adriane Coates
Cybersecurity & GovTech Professional
Cybersecurity, workforce development, career pathways, sports tech, and practical career resources.
Kyla Carr
Entrepreneur & Community Philanthropist
Revenue, business, branding, partnerships, and creating multiple opportunities from your platform.
LaDonna Allen Hardy
Professional Wardrobe Stylist | Film & Television Stylist
Fashion, image, branding, presentation, and career opportunities within sports and entertainment.
And we’re still adding special guests and professionals across sports, business, finance, technology, media, NIL, and athletic leadership.
Then we go beyond the panel.
During BUILD THE PLAY, attendees will work through questions like:
- How can athletes better monetize their influence?
- How can women’s sports attract stronger partnerships?
- How can athletic programs raise more money?
- How can technology solve problems in sports?
- How can fashion and media increase athlete visibility?
- How can brands authentically enter women’s sports?
You won’t just listen.
You’ll have the opportunity to contribute, ask questions, show how you think, and build real relationships.
This room is intentionally small.
We are not trying to pack hundreds of people into a ballroom.
We want attendees to actually be able to talk with the people they came to meet.
That means:
- Real conversations
- Intentional networking
- Access to speakers and decision-makers
- Career and business connections
- Resources you can actually use
- Opportunities to be seen and remembered
Your ticket includes:
- Featured panel conversations
- BUILD THE PLAY Innovation Lab
- Intentional networking
- Access to sports, NIL, fashion, tech, business, and media professionals
- Food and hospitality
- Special guests
- Career and business resources
- A Pre Magic City Classic week experience built around more than entertainment
Hosted by Keonna Farmer
Keonna Farmer is a former top-ranked Alabama athlete, state champion, Division I athlete, Division I Wall of Fame honoree, former coach, and former high school athletic director.
Today, she works in sports consulting with specialties in NIL, sports philanthropy, fundraising, sponsorship development, athlete development, and career transition.
She has helped secure more than $2 million in grants, contracts, sponsorships, and funding and created Beyond the Panel after seeing one major gap in sports:
Visibility is not the same as access.
Beyond the Panel was created to help turn conversations into connections, resources, and real next steps.
October 24, 2026 | 1:30 PM | Birmingham, Alabama
Limited capacity. Once the room is full, no additional tickets will be added.
Where is it happening?
Event Location & Nearby Stays:
USD 44.52 to USD 214.19
