2021
Inaugural Conference
2021 Speakers
Emcee
Abibat Durosimi
Bloom Beauty Collective
The President & Creative Director of Tabiba Styles, a premier styling agency located in Portland, OR. She was presented as Oregon's RAW ARTIST of the Year in 2013 and has been invited to be one of the lead makeup artists and hairstylists at shows such as tours for ICON - Prince, Nicole Scherzinger, Esperanza Spalding, and Liv Warfield.
Keynote Speaker
Dr. Carol Parker-Walsh
Carol Parker Walsh Consulting Group
A powerful advocate for women unapologetically living life on their terms and doing the work, they were meant to do in the world. When she was eight, her mother asked her, "Why is it when everyone goes left, you go right?" She replied, "Why do I have to go where everyone else does?" She now empowers women to walk their path boldly.
Keynote Speaker
Réland Logan
Gray Digital Marketing
Réland Logan specializes in helping entrepreneurs and influencers turn their social media into scroll stopping money makers without the time suck. She has 10+ years of experience in sales and marketing through a variety of different industries.
Panelist
Dr. Michele Cruse
Clark College
The Interim Vice President of Student Affairs at Clark College. Dr. Cruse started her academic journey by earning an associate degree from Community College of Allegheny County, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Dr. Cruse feels that her role is to foster an environment where students feel valued, respected, and they belong here at Clark as well as ensuring that students have meaningful and inclusive experiences.
Panelist
Marcus Carter II
First Tech Credit Union
Marcus Carter Il is a Speaker, Equity Consultant, and Organizer dedicated to transforming the cultural, material, and systemic conditions of our workplace and society. He is engaged with various equity, justice, and liberation projects locally and nationally. He serves as the Board President with Portland Workforce Alliance and as a Board Member with Free Geek and Oregon Entrepreneurs Networks (OEN).
Keynote & Panelist
Himalaya Rao-Potlapally
The BFM Fund
A Managing Director of the Black Founders Matter Fund, a $10m seed-stage fund focused on highly scalable Black-led deal flow within the U.S. Prior to becoming a General Partner, she worked as a Venture Capital Consultant for seven different firms along the West Coast. She has a passion for expanding the accessibility of entrepreneurship to BIPoC and rural communities for economic development and generational wealth building.
Panelist
Cobi Lewis
Micro Enterprise Services of Oregon (MESO)
The Executive Director of Micro Enterprise Services of Oregon (MESO). Cobi previously worked as the Senior VP and Director of CRA and Corporate Responsibility at Umpqua Bank and as VP and Community Development Officer at Wells Fargo Bank. She serves on the Board of Directors for the Portland Housing Center, the Black United Fund of Oregon, Pioneer Courthouse Square, and the Audit Committee for the Oregon Youth Authority.
Panelist
Julian Williams
Skyview High School
Julian Williams is the Athletic Director for Skyview High School. He played football at Eastern Washington University from 1996-2000 and graduated with a BS in PE/Health. He previously worked at Xerox before going back to get his Master’s in Education. In 2004 Julian began working as a staff assistant and football coach at Skyview High School. His oldest son is currently playing football at Eastern Washington University as well.
Schedule 2021
Day 1 - Thursday, October 07
- 3:00 PM
Registration OpensBy Nathan Webster, Event Host
- 3:30 PM
Happy Hour Networking EventEvent
- 5:00 PM
Dinner Buffet OpenBuffet
- 5:15 PM
Opening RemarksBy Nathan Webster, Event Host
- 5:30 PM
KeynoteBy Himalaya Rao-Potlapally
- 6:10 PM
Keynote By Dr. Carol Parker-Walsh
- 6:45 PM
Closing Remarks By Abibat Durosimi.
- 7:00 PM
Networking EndsConclusion
Day 2 - Friday, October 08
- 8:30 AM
Registration Opens By Nathan Webster, Event Host
- 8:45 AM
Coffee and Breakfast Bread AvailableBreakfast
- 9:00 AM
Opening Remark By Abibat Durosimi
- 9:15 AM
Sponsor RecognitionAppreciation
- 9:30 AM
Panel – Part 1Himalaya Rao-Potlapally, Julian Williams, Marcus Carter II, Dr. Carole Parker-Walsh, Moderato Abibat Durosimi, Dr. Michelle Cruse
- 10:00 AM
BreakRefreshment
- 10:20 AM
Sponsor RecognitionAppreciation
- 10:35 AM
Panel Discussion – Part 2Discussion
- 11:15 AM
Panel Q & AFAQ
- 11:50 AM
BreakRefreshment
- 12:00 PM
Lunch Must Be Seated to Eat & Drink
- 12:15 PM
Keynote Speaker Nathan Webster, Event Host
- 12:45 PM
Sponsor RecognitionAppreciation
- 1:00 PM
Social Media Tips and TricksSpeaker - Reland Logan
- 1:00 PM
Social Media Tips and TricksSpeaker - Reland Logan
- 2:00 PM