Enhancing the Entrepreneurial Ecosystem through Diversity, Community & Innovation
Presenting Sponsors
About The Event
The World's Most Powerful Summit for Corporations and Entrepreneurs
The 2023 United Diversity Business Summit - Enhancing the Entrepreneurial Ecosystem Through Diversity - intends to unite and ignite local small and medium businesses, entrepreneurs, and corporations by providing innovative opportunities for growth through diversification and inclusion initiatives.
Hear from experts on innovative approaches and best practices to improve economic diversity outcomes for corporations and entrepreneurs. Attendees will leave the Summit with new tools and a paradigm for growth that adapts to a dynamic global marketplace.
During this year's Summit, CEO's, founders, and Community Leaders will share invaluable insights concerning the implementation of enhancing entrepreneurship through diversity, community and innovation. The Summit will offer exclusive B2B networking with Corporate professionals and small business owners.
9AM to 9:03AM Welcome & Introduction - Virginia G. Piper Theater MC -Andrea Tyler Evans, Frontdoors Media
9:06AM to 9:10AM National Anthem - Virginia G. Piper Theater Tina Estes, Trivium Music
9:10AM to 9:12AM MC introduces Mayor Ortega, City of Scottsdale - Virginia G. Piper Theater
9:13AM to 9:23AM Mayor Ortega remarks - Virginia G. Piper Theater
9:23AM to 9:25AM MC introduces Keynote Panel - Virginia G. Piper Theater
9:25AM to 9:50AM Keynote #1: Overcoming Barriers to Entry & Promoting Statewide Economic Growth Panel Moderated by Cameron Robb, Senior Economic Development Consultant, APS Robin Reed, President & CEO, Black Chamber of Commerce Ricardo Carlo, President, Associated Minority Contractors of Arizona Rob Millar, Economic Development Director, City of Scottsdale
Experts in economic development in Arizona tell us what Arizona is doing to attract new and diverse businesses to our state, and what barriers are being overcome to create economic growth in key industries statewide. 9:50AM to 9:51AM MC introduces Keynote Speaker #2, Jackie Johnson
9:51AM to 10:05AM Keynote Speaker #2: Moving from Transactional to Transformational - Virginia G. Piper Theater
Jackie Johnson, Diversity Director, City of Scottsdale
10:05AM to 10:10AM MC review of today’s activities, recognition of sponsors and speakers
10:05AM to 10:10AM Break - Main Lobby
BREAKOUT SESSION 1
10:20AM to 11:10AM
ENTREPRENEUR: Venture Capital and the Future of Entrepreneurship - a presentation on Accelerating the Growth of Businesses with Venture Development - Stage 2 and Center Space
Co-presenters are Mark Moeremans, Senior Vice President Entrepreneurship & Venture Development, Arizona Commerce Authority and Ashely Kelly, Vice President Sr. Business Consultant, JP Morgan Chase Bank - with a Focus on Underserved Entrepreneurs Mark M. from ACA will present for 40 minutes and then introduce Ashley with Chase for a 30 minute discussion. Would like the opportunity for Q & A as well.
These two experts in venture capital will help entrepreneurs navigate the challenges of VC funding and how it can be used to fuel growth in small business.
CORPORATE: Advancing Black Entrepreneurship - Stage 2 and Center Space
Moderated by Dr. Velma Trayham, President & CEO, ThinkZilla Consulting Group Art Hamilton, Founder, Art Hamilton Group Cloves Campbell, Co-Publisher, Arizona Informant Jervis Hough, Chief Operations Officer/Public Finance, Blaylock Van, LLC
Some of the most respected Black business leaders in Arizona’s business community will discuss how we can continue to promote growth of Black-owned businesses across the state and in a broad spectrum of industries.
10:20AM to 11:10AM Break - Main Lobby
BREAKOUT SESSION 2
11:15AM to 12:00PM
CORPORATE: Developing and Supporting a Diverse Workforce Panel
Moderated by Ashlee Atkins, President, Greater Phoenix Urban League Young Professionals (YP) Mark Stanton, President & CEO, Scottsdale Chamber of Commerce Aric Bopp, Executive Director - Economic Development, Arizona State University Eric Standifer, President & CEO, Blaylock Van LLC Doug Bruhnke, CEO/founder, Global Chamber®
Developing and supporting a diverse workforce is more important than ever before as companies seek to promote DEI initiatives and encourage employees from all walks of life to join their organizations.
Diversity initiatives are good for business and this panel discussion will talk about leading efforts to implement DEI in Arizona companies.
12:00PM to 12:45PM Lunch - Food Trucks/Main Lobby
12:50PM to 12:55PM Opening remarks for Keynote #3 - Virginia G. Piper Theater Kaylee O’Kelley, MC for afternoon sessions recap and intro of speaker
12:55PM to 1:30PM Keynote Session #3: Increasing Visibility in Underrepresented Demographics Panel - Virginia G. Piper Theater
Moderator by Jacque Starks, Manager Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, Maricopa Community Colleges Veronica Aguilar, Vice President, Teach for America
This panel discussion will focus on how Arizona businesses and corporations can increase visibility in underrepresented demographics, whether that means race, socioeconomic status or age.
1:30PM to 1:32PM Dr. Velma Trayham, President & CEO, ThinkZilla Consulting Group - Virginia G. Piper Theater
1:32PM to 1:52PM Dr. Trayham presentation on Diversity in Progress: Strides Made to Date and Work Moving Forward - Virginia G. Piper Theater
Dr. Trayham will show the audience some of the key metrics that corporations can measure to ensure that DEI initiatives are effective, as well as discussing how much of an impact DEI is having in the business environment across the country.
1:52PM to 1:55PM MC Wraps Up Afternoon - Virginia G. Piper Theater
1:55PM to 2:00PM Break - Main Lobby
BREAKOUT SESSION 3
2:00PM to 2:40PM
ENTREPRENEUR: Doing Business with the City of Scottsdale & the Bonfire Vendor Portal - Stage 2 and Center Space
Jose Tapia, Purchasing & Warehouse Manager, City of Scottsdale
The City of Scottsdale encourages small businesses to apply for opportunities to work with the city in a number of key areas. One of the city’s experts will help entrepreneurs navigate the process so they can be considered for new opportunities.
CORPORATE: Deep Dive Spotlighting Diversity Champions Panel - Virginia Piper Stage and Center Space
Moderator: Amber Kellogg
Alan “AP” Powell, AP & Associates Jonavon Stephens, Financial Representative, Nadia Rivera, Chief Impact Officer & Executive Director, Arizona Coyotes Foundation & Community Impact
This panel will include an in-depth discussion of what leaders in the implementation of diversity in the workforce are doing to make DEI initiatives a reality, and how business leaders across the community can champion diversity and inclusion causes.
BREAKOUT SESSION 4
2:45PM to 3:30PM
ENTREPRENEUR: Entrepreneurship 101
Presenter: Nyasha Stone Sheppard, Senior Program Manager/Community Manager, The Studios @ Mesa City Center, ASU
Developing an entrepreneurial ecosystem starts by centering on the entrepreneur and their journey. Leaders need to understand how entrepreneurs in their community find the resources and people they need to help them along the way. In this interactive workshop, we will focus on the power and impact supporting entrepreneurs has on the community.
Participants will learn what it means to create innovative solutions to support entrepreneurs at different stages of the process.
CORPORATE: Women in Leadership - Fireside Chat
In today’s marketplace, women minorities face unique challenges in making an impact. Hear amazing stories and learn about the motivation and personal qualities that drove these successful entrepreneurs to transform their concepts into reality.
2:45PM to 4:00PM
Student Start Up Lab - Virginia Piper Theater Presented by Maricopa Community Colleges and Country Financial
This is an opportunity for students who are interested in becoming entrepreneurs to share their goals and dreams, as well as learning key information about how they can progress in their education and learn how to effectively run both business and personal finances.
40 minutes starting at 2:45pm — Jacqueline Starks, Manager Diversity, Equity, Inclusion Maricopa Community Colleges
30 Minutes: Jonovan Stephens, Financial Representative, COUNTRY Financial
Q & A
3:30PM to 3:40PM Break
3:40PM to 3:45PM Kickoff of Networking Reception
3:40PM to 5:10PM Business Exchange Networking Reception
Join business leaders from across the Arizona business community for a networking session designed to create new connections that will make our economy more diverse, inclusive and innovative. This will be the closing celebration for the United Diversity Business Summit and an opportunity to share best practices and new information with new friends and colleagues.
5:10PM to 5:15PM Closing remarks - Dr. Velma Trayham
Benefiting Nonprofit:Your Support Helps Minority Women Out of Poverty
The mission of Millionaire Mastermind Academy is to educate and support the growth of women-owned businesses, thereby strengthening their impact on the economy and mitigating the problems presented by poverty
Millionaire Mastermind Academy addresses the barriers to economic mobility for women who have been systemically and historically underserved and excluded.
Together, we aim to remove systemic barriers to accessing affordable capital, provide access to mentorship, and facilitate college-level business training for small businesses led by minority women.
Did you know that donations to MMA qualify for a charitable tax credit?
- Millionaire Mastermind Academy is a Qualifying Charitable Organization supporting minority & African American women in the Valley.
You Have Nothing To Lose And Everything To Gain
You have absolutely nothing to lose and everything to gain – knowledge, tools, strategies, networking opportunities, interacting with the top professionals, learning from the best, and much more.
So, why wait?
Seats are filling fast, and this is your chance to become part of the World’s most powerful summit to build, grow, and scale your business today. Take advantage of keynote speakers, workshops, and panel discussions to come out stronger and bolder than ever and achieve your goals!
Featuring the industry’s top entrepreneurs and speakers, this summit is your chance to learn from the best and excel in your market.
Speakers, Workshops, and Panels
Get access to our industry-leading speakers, workshops, and other activities to get a foolproof roadmap to success.
Economic Development Opportunities
We help decision-makers with diversity and inclusion initiatives and promote economic development opportunities.
Networking Opportunities
Networking is one of the best ways to get inspiration and growth opportunities. Interact with other like-minded and successful business owners.
Build Impactful Connection
This summit will empower you to build connections with other entrepreneurs to make your journey much less lonely and much more impactful.
Strengthening Procurement Incentives
Dive deep into your industry and target audience and understand their needs before ever stepping into the harsh, cut-throat competition.
Take Your Business To The Next Level
With tools, strategies, knowledge, and proper roadmap, you can build, grow, and scale with confidence and absolute clarity.
2022 Co-Chairs...
Art Hamilton
Founder of Art Hamilton Group
Cameron Robb
Senior Economic Development Consultant at APS
Jackie Johnson
Diversity Director for City of Scottsdale
2021 Recap
The 2021 United Diversity Business Summit was a transformative day filled with innovative and dynamic programming, purpose-driven and vision-oriented leaders in the Public & Private space, small business owners, and inspiring keynote speakers.
The esteemed speakers included: David Ortega, Mayor of Scottsdale; Art Hamilton, founder of Art Hamilton Group, Kaley O”Kelley, News Anchor for ABC 15 Arizona, Eric Standifer, president and CEO of Blaylock Van; Dr. Velma Trayham, CEO of Thinkzilla; Robin Reed, president and CEO of the Black Chamber of Arizona; Chris Camacho, president and CEO of the Greater Phoenix Economic Council; Monica Villalabos, president & CEO of Arizona Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, Tye Hayes, former Chief Information Officer for the City of Atlanta; and more.
The Annual United Diversity Business Summit will partner with governments, city-wide economic development agencies, large private corporations, and foundations to support minority-owned and small businesses across race and ethnicity. The program will create immediate impact and lasting change in local economies across the country.
Our IMPACT speaks volumes with 500+ attendees at our events, 50+ speakers, our events are a must-attend for decision makers tasked with improving diversity and inclusion looking to develop their initiatives and support the next generation of executives and entrepreneurs.
Highlighting innovative approaches and best practices that BOTH corporations and entrepreneurs can adapt to improve economic diversity outcomes. Our theory of change is that by spotlighting best practices and promising approaches, attendees will leave the Summit with new tools and a new paradigm for growth that adapts to a dynamic global marketplace.