Schedule
Saturday, May 17, 2025
Conference — 9:00am – 4:00pm
Gala — 6:00pm – 9:00pm
Check back for updates as we finalize timing, speakers, and more.
All events held at the Stanford Graduate School of Business campus.
EVENTS:
Welcome
9:00AM
CEMEX Aud.
Session 1
9:20AM
CEMEX Aud.
Keynote panel of media executives and producers discussing Black storytelling and representation.
Brett Mahoney — Executive Producer, EMPIRE and GHOST: POWER BOOK II
Detavio Samuels — CEO, REVOLT
Moderator: Amira Weeks — MBA ’26
Defining Our Story: The Future of Black Narratives
Session 2
10:25AM
CEMEX Aud.
Keynote fireside chat between two industry luminaries discussing the future of talent development in an evolving landscape.
Edith Cooper — Co-Founder, Medley; Member, Board of Directors, Amazon; Member, Board of Directors, PepsiCo
Moderator: Daryn Dodson — Managing Partner, Illumen Capital; Member, Board of Directors, Ben & Jerry’s
Developing the Next Wave of Talent
Breakout Panels & Workshop
11:30AM
Breakout 1
Oberndorf
The Power of the Narrative: Branding, Storytelling, and Influence in the Digital Age
A panel of leading content creators and next-gen media thinkers.
Jackie Aina — Co-Founder FORVR MOOD
Eni Popoola — Content Creator
Moderator: Kudzi Chikumbu — Former Global Head of Creator Marketing, TikTok
Breakout 2
G101
Shifting Tides: The State of Funding and Founding While Black
A panel of venture pioneers and recent founders.
Mercedes Bent — Venture Partner, Lightspeed
Christopher Gray — Founder and CEO, Path
Charles Hudson — Founder and Managing Partner, Precursor Ventures
Erikan Obotetukudo — Founder and CEO, Audacity Assets
Moderator: Hope Ditlhakanyane — MBA ’26
Breakout 3
G102
Next Waves of Tech: Defining AI Futures
A panel of senior AI leaders.
LaShonda Anderson-Williams — Chief Customer & Commercial Officer, Salesforce Industries, Salesforce
Reggie Marable — Head of Sales, Sierra
Sanmi Koyejo, PhD — Assistant Professor of Com- puter Science, Stanford University; Co-Founder, Virtue AI
Moderator: Ayooluwa Odemuyiwa — MBA ’26
Workshop
M104
Beyond the C-Suite: Defining Your Path to the Boardroom
*Spaces limited — pre-registration required. Sign-ups go live mid-April.
Dorien Nunez — Co-Founder, The OMNIResearch Group
Lunch
12:30PM
Join us for connection and conversation over lunch in Town Square.
Session 3
CEMEX Aud.
1:45PM
What Comes Next: Building an Enduring Career
Keynote panel of executives reflecting on career progression and stepping into new, and often unfamiliar, roles.
Cristina Mancini — CEO, Black Girls Code
Greg Shell — Managing Partner, Head of Inclusive Growth Strategy, Goldman Sachs
Chris Young — Former EVP Business Development, Strategy and Ventures, Microsoft
Moderator: Rakiya Cunningham — MBA ’25
Session 4
2:55PM
CEMEX Aud.
Passing the Torch: Lessons on Leadership
Keynote fireside chat between an industry icon and a next-generation leader, sharing wisdom and guidance for a new wave of leaders.
Debra Lee — Chairman and CEO Emeritus, BET Networks
Moderator: Oriekose Idah — Head of Creative Partnerships, Prime Video & Amazon MGM Studios
Closing
4:00PM
Gala
6:00PM
A night of celebration, food, and dancing as we honor the Graduate School of Business Black alumni community and celebrate 100 years of the GSB.
Event ticketed separately through Eventbrite.
