NYBLACKMBA's Black Men's Forum IV: Rooted & Rising

Supporting a community where men feel supported, empowered, and equipped to thrive personally and professionally.
About this Event



NYBLACKMBA Black Men’s Forum 2026
Rooted & Rising
Building Influence. Navigating Opportunity. Creating What Comes Next.

Friday, November 13, 2026
Doors Open: 9:30 AM EST

Mizuho Americas Headquarters
1271 Sixth Avenue
New York, NY 10020

Hosted and Sponsored by Mizuho Americas

Open to all. An MBA is not required.

Registration Includes

• Full lunch and refreshments throughout the Forum
• Leadership, wealth, wellness and professional development sessions
• Networking and relationship-building opportunities

About the Forum

The NYBLACKMBA Black Men’s Forum returns for its fourth year, bringing together Black men and allies committed to supporting the well-being, development and advancement of Black men.

Rooted & Rising will create a supportive space for honest conversations, authentic connections, shared experiences and actionable strategies focused on self-care, leadership, wealth building, relationship development and professional advancement.

Our vision is to build a community where Black men feel supported, empowered and equipped to thrive personally and professionally.

Session Breakdown

NYBLACKMBA Black Men’s Forum IV: Rooted & Rising
Friday, November 13, 2026

9:30–10:00 AM | Rooted Connections
Facilitator: Elizabeth Oputa

10:00–10:20 AM | Welcome: Rooted and Rising
Board Executive Intro: Vina Morris, PMP, ITIL V4 DPI, MBA
Mizuho MADE Remarks: Speaker not specified
Facilitator: Elizabeth Oputa

10:20–11:10 AM | Leadership, Lessons & What No One Tells You Along the Way
Host: Chris Williams, NYBLACKMBA
Speaker: Everette Taylor, CEO, Kickstarter

11:10 AM–12:00 PM | Ambition Without Erosion
Moderator: Christian Hill
Panelists:

• Dr. Douglas Charles, Founder & CEO, Black Health Connect
• Dr. Matthew Jones, Interventional Cardiologist and Founder, Everbeat

12:00–1:00 PM | Lunch & Connect
Facilitator: Elizabeth Oputa

1:00–1:10 PM | Rise and Reconnect
Facilitator: Elizabeth Oputa

1:10–2:00 PM | Rising with Certainty
Moderator: Robert Alleyne
Panelists:

• Dr. Scorpio Rogers, Managing Principal, Focal Point Coaching
• Michael Nicholas, Co-Founder, Aunts et Uncles

2:00–2:50 PM | Who’s in Your Corner? Building the Bonds That Help You Rise
Moderator: Chris McKenzie
Panelists:

• Jason Rosario, Founder, The Lives of Men
• Michael Garner, Chief Business Diversity Officer, City of New York
• Albert Odjidja, President & CEO, McKissack & McKissack

2:50–3:10 PM | What Will You Carry Forward?
Host: Chris Williams, NYBLACKMBA
Facilitator: Elizabeth Oputa

3:10–4:00 PM | Open Networking & Speaker Connections

4:00 PM | Event Conclude

Panelists will share how to build authentic relationships, identify people who can help accelerate growth and ultimately become advocates for others.

For more information, please email [email protected].

Presented by the Metro New York Chapter of the National Black MBA Association.