KEYNOTE SPEAKER

SHAWN D. ROCHESTER

5TH ANNUAL 

BLACK-OWNED

BUSINESS EXCELLENCE

SYMPOSIUM

January 31 to February 2, 2024

Watson Signature Event Center 

In-person and Virtual

THEME: Helping to create a More Equitable Entrepreneurial Ecosystem in Washington State

Explore the Economic Framework that can help close the Racial Wealth Gap

It all begins with an idea. Maybe you want to launch a business. Maybe you want to turn a hobby into something more. Or maybe you have a creative project to share with the world. Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. 

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Screenshot of a virtual video call with nine diverse participants smiling and looking at the camera.

Fridays | 10:00 AM (PST)

Join us HERE!

 If you're a Black entrepreneur (or supporter of black entrepreneurs) looking for your tribe, this weekly meeting is like finding your missing puzzle piece. It's a chance to connect, learn, grow, and maybe even snag a few dance moves during the virtual celebration breaks (because why not?). Remember, success is sweeter when you share it, and that's the magic of the Black Owned Business Excellence Virtual Tribe Vibe! 

A vintage television screen displaying an image of two people with the text "The Cost of Inheritance" and "An America Reframed Special".

Wednesday | January 31, 2024

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THE COST OF INHERITANCE is a documentary that explores the complex issue of reparations in the United States using a thoughtful approach to history, historical injustices, systemic inequities, and the critical dialogue on racial conciliation. Through personal narratives, community inquiries, and scholarly insights, it aims to inspire an understanding of the scope and rationale of the reparations debate.

Thursday | February 1, 2024 | 9:15 AM Registration, Networking and Breakfast

Portrait of a woman with short blond hair smiling, wearing a sleeveless top with green and white stripes, gold necklace, against a textured green background.

Emcee: Jenefeness Franke Fiscal Finesse

A woman with dark skin smiling, wearing hoop earrings and a plaid shirt, with her hair styled in a high bun, against a textured green background.

9:15 AM | Registration, Networking and Breakfast 

Thursday | February 1, 2024

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10:00 AM | Welcome and Introduction of Keynote Speaker 

10:15 AM | Keynote and Fireside Chat 

11:45 AM | Lunch, Networking, Break 

1:00 PM | Entrepreneur Panel 

A man in a suit with glasses, wearing a blue shirt and a patterned tie, against a textured green background.

Jeffrey Taylor

Jeffrey Taylor Insurance

Headshot of a woman with dark hair, wearing a yellow blazer and teal top, against a green textured background.

Teya Williams

Dreams Manifest

A smiling woman with shoulder-length hair and a red top against a textured green background.

Marquita Evans

Intentions Juice Bar

A man dressed in a suit and tie smiling in front of a green textured background.

2:30 PM | Break and Transition

Integrating AI: Transforming Marketing and Operations for the Digital Age

A man with bleached blonde curly hair, wearing a black turtleneck and a silver chain, smiling in front of a green textured background.

DeiMarlon Scisney

H.O.P. Technology Solutions

Integrating AI: Transforming Marketing and Operations for the Digital Age 

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2:50 PM | Masterclass

3:50 – 4:50 PM | Networking 

4:50 – 5:00 PM | Closing 

A woman with short black hair, wearing a black top with white cuffs, a black and white houndstooth skirt, and a gold watch, standing against a black background with green hexagon patterns, smiling at the camera.

Friday, February 2, 2024 

A smiling Black woman with curly hair wearing a red top and silver jewelry, against a green textured background.

Moderator: Dr. Traci Harrell It's All Bigger Than Me Consulting

Friday | February 2, 2024 

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9:00 AM | Networking and Breakfast 

9:30 AM | Day One Recap 

10:00 AM | Protecting and Growing Your Business

11:30 PM | Lunch, Networking, Break 

12:30 PM | Organization Panel  

Portrait of a smiling Black man with short hair, against a textured green background.

Dion Cook

Denkyem Co-op

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A woman with short, curly hair wearing hoop earrings, a white blazer, and a gold necklace, standing against a green textured background.

Desiree Wilkins Finch 

Rise Leadership with Purpose

Close-up portrait of a woman with curly hair, smiling, wearing a black shirt and a gold necklace, against a green textured background.

Dierdre Patterson 

City of Tacoma

Professional headshot of a man with short hair, a goatee, wearing a dark suit, white shirt, and patterned tie, smiling against a green textured background.

Elwis Johnson

Johnson Wealth Advisor

Retirement, Investing, and Funding 

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2:50 PM | Masterclass

1:45 PM | Workshop 

2:45 PM | Awards and Acknowledgement 

3:15 PM | Closing Remarks 

2024 SPONSORS

The WSMA logo with the letters 'WSMA' in green, with the 'M' stylized to resemble mountain peaks.
Logo for Foster School of Business, University of Washington, including text for Consulting and Business Development Center.
Logo for Evergreen BizLink with colorful abstract leaf design and bold black text.
Logo of Americans SBDC Washington, featuring red and blue text with a star and arc design.
Colored blocks with the letters G, S, B, and A in white.
Red rectangular logo with the letters B, E, C, U inside white boxes.
Logo for Business Impact NW featuring a green plant sprouting from a seedling with roots, and the text 'Business Impact NW' in gray and green.
Logo for Fiscale Finesse featuring a silhouette of a woman in a gold color, with the words 'Fiscale' in teal and 'Finesse' in pink cursive.
Logo of The Seattle Public Library, featuring a globe and an open book in blue and black text.
The image contains a quote that reads, "It's ALL Bigger Than Me," with an emphasis on the word "Bigger," which is written in a large, cursive, gold font. There is also a small microphone icon replacing the dot on the letter "i" in "Bigger." The quote is attributed to Traci Harrell, who is mentioned as a consultant. The background is black, with the text in white and gold colors.
Logo of the Washington State Department of Enterprise Services with the abbreviation DES in a stylized font and a gradient blue background.
Logo for Evergreen Business Capital with a green plant and a building icon, and the text "Creating Impact For Small Businesses".
Red and gold logo with the text 'Take Charge Consulting' and graphics of a woman’s face silhouette, a dollar bill, and a barbell.
Logo of the City of Tacoma featuring a snow-capped mountain over a blue sky with the text "City of Tacoma".
Seal of the Washington African American Chamber of Commerce with a circular blue border, white text, and yellow stars, surrounding a stylized African American flag-themed emblem at the center.
Logo of KeyBank with a red key and a white and red keyhole icon.
Verity Credit Union logo with the word 'Verity' in large orange letters and 'Credit Union' in smaller blue letters underneath.
Logo of Professional Women of Color Network with red and gray text on a white background.
Logo of the Minority Business Development Agency, U.S. Department of Commerce, featuring stylized bars in blue, red, and gray, with text below.
Black circle with the white text "OST" inside.