NEW ORLEANS– (July 5, 2022) Last Thursday, June 30, the Black Economic Alliance Foundation (BEA Foundation)—the nation’s leading organization harnessing the collective expertise and influence of Black business leaders to build economic prosperity and generational wealth for the Black community—partnered with the Global Black Economic Forum (GBEF) for its conference held at the ESSENCE Festival of Culture in New Orleans, Louisiana.
As part of GBEF, BEA Foundation President Samantha Tweedy joined a panel discussion, “Sustainability and Scalability of the Moment Globally,” to share actionable insights on how leaders across sectors can ensure that their investment and deployment of capital have the greatest impact on growing Black generational wealth.
“The Black Economic Alliance Foundation was thrilled to join forces with the Global Black Economic Forum event held at the ESSENCE Festival, to curate an impactful agenda for business and civic leaders on actionable solutions to drive economic justice,” said Samantha Tweedy, President, Black Economic Alliance Foundation.“I was honored to join colleagues across sectors in discussing the role of the corporate sector in building a new economic infrastructure that prioritizes Black economic prosperity and generational wealth.”
Returning in person for the first time since the pandemic’s onset, this premier engagement opportunity for Black business leaders from across the world was attended by more than 100 CEOs, CFOs, and other executive leaders. The GBEF is the world’s first platform committed to redefining economic and social justice around the globe for the Black Diaspora, and its programming engages global business executives, policymakers, entrepreneurs, activists, and consumers.
Forum discussions featured in-depth, solution-oriented conversations on culture and belonging, the intersection of corporate influence and civil rights, public/private partnerships, and sustainability and scalability of the moment of racial reckoning following the murder of George Floyd. The “Sustainability and Scalability of the Moment Globally” panel discussion was moderated by CNN’s Zain Asher, and in addition to Samantha Tweedy featured panelists, Melissa Bradley (Managing Partner, 1863 Ventures), Debra Langford (Executive Director and Head of Black Wealth Initiatives, JP Morgan Private Bank), Michael Hyter (President and CEO, Executive Leadership Council), Troy Dennis (Senior Vice President, Head of Product, Fintech, Financial Inclusion & ESG for North America at Mastercard), and Akwasi Agyeman (CEO of the Ghana Tourism Authority).
Other GBEF panel discussions included top business leaders, such as Thusanda Brown Duckett (President & CEO of TIAA) and Caroline Wanga (President & CEO of Essence Ventures), among others. Additional speakers included top civil rights leaders, like Derrick Johnson (President & CEO of NAACP) and Marc Morial (President of the National Urban League), as well as elected officials like Mayor LaToya Cantrell (Mayor of New Orleans).
GBEF was founded by its current Chairman Richelieu Dennis, a member of the BEA Board of Directors and founder of the Sundial Family of companies, which acquired ESSENCE in 2018. The GBEF focuses on thought leadership, corporate and entrepreneurial career development, and advancing social and economic justice for marginalized communities. GBEF recently announced its new leader, President and CEO Alphonso David.
“Thank you to Black Economic Alliance Foundation for their collaboration and support of the Forum. We are collectively focused on breaking down barriers that will create more economic opportunities and wealth for Black people. Through our conferences, academy, foundation work and partnerships, such as the one we have with BEA Foundation, we hope to serve as a catalyst for change for Black people and other marginalized communities around the globe said, Alphonso David, President and CEO of the Global Black Economic Forum.
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About the Black Economic Alliance Foundation
The Black Economic Alliance Foundation is the nation’s leading organization harnessing the collective expertise and influence of Black business leaders to build economic prosperity and generational wealth for the Black community. We partner with leaders across the public, private, and social sectors to champion policy reimagination, develop investment and philanthropic programs, commission research, and elevate national understanding of the inextricable link between the health of the Black economy and the entire American economy. The BEA Foundation is the 501(c)(3) non-profit affiliate of the Black Economic Alliance, a nonpartisan coalition of Black business leaders and allies committed to advancing work, wages, and wealth in the Black community. | foundation.blackeconomicalliance.org
About Global Black Economic Forum
The Global Black Economic Forum is a dynamic, multi-faceted platform committed to reimagining what diversity, equity, inclusion, and opportunity looks like in Corporate America, as well as actualizing the notion of economic justice for the Black Diaspora. The Forum engages business executives, policymakers, entrepreneurs, activists, and consumers globally on thought leadership; corporate and entrepreneurial career development; and advancing social and economic justice for marginalized communities. | https://www.gbef.org/
