Black Diamond Weekend will be here before you know it: November 27th – 29th. We are going digital; and prioritizing your safety and comfort, Black BRAND will deliver our entire event straight to your living room, home office, or even your back porch. 

For those who haven’t attended Black Diamond Weekend before, or even our current members who might be skeptical, here are our top five reasons to take part:

The Content

Black BRAND delivers unique content every year during our Build Your Business BOOTCAMP; and we are taking our delivery to another level this year. We have four levels of business education with incredible industry thought leaders, speakers, and gurus. Join us if you are: 

• Tier 1: Early Stage/Start-up
  • High impact panel discussions, a nationally recognized keynote speaker, Maia Donahue, and speed sessions on business certification programs, innovation, and more pointing to how you can start a successful business, even now!
• Tier 2: Intermediate/3-5 Years
  • Meet and greet local economic development and successful and established business owners; learn to digitize your products and service, teach courses online; and improve communication skills to get over the five-year hump!
• Tier 3: Established/5 Years and Up
  • Franchise your business model or find a franchise opportunity; expand your capacity, and reduce your tax liability even in turbulent times. Tier 4: Nonprofit Executives

• • Technical assistance with nonprofit focused CPAs, attorneys, and financial experts, plus a masterclass on storytelling, donor engagement, and overall fundraising strategy to grow your organization’s revenue through year-end!
• Tier 4: Nonprofit Executives
  • Technical assistance with nonprofit focused CPAs, attorneys, and financial experts, plus a masterclass on storytelling, donor engagement, and overall fundraising strategy to grow your organization’s revenue through year-end!
• Five Hour Real Estate Symposium!
  • 20.Maximize in a seller’s market
  • Learn how to start a profitable short term rentals business
  • Flip your way to financial freedom.

• Bonus Content: Join Young Professionals as they explore the path to economic stability on Sunday
• Bonus Content: Explore Opportunities in Transportation in Virginia with area business leaders from VDOT, Hampton Roads Connector Partners, and more!
• Bonus Content: Leadership Keynote with Nneka Chiazor of COX Communications!

The Speakers 

Black Diamond Weekend is bringing more speakers than ever before. With more than 35 hours of content that you can download and engage again and again, you’ll get everything you need to come out of COVID and into 2021 with a larger network, more skills, greater resources, and more support!

Our 30 plus speakers span dozens of industries and bring wide-ranging expertise and they are EXCITED to pour into you and your businesses! Here are 18 participating industry thought leaders so that you can start researching and get your questions ready NOW:

• Aaron Montgomery, Carlotz
• Jaynee Sasso, Senior Runs
• Keisha Branch, HRBT, COMTO
• Nancy Grden, ODU
• Jeff Johnson, VT
• Queen Crittenden, VDO
• Donahue Baker, Money Ave.
• Faizun Kamal, The Franchise Consulting Company
• Maia Donahue, 3 Day Startup
• Vivian Oden, Hampton Roads Community Foundation
• Clarence Harris, CPA, Hampton Roads Tax and Accounting
• Angela Hollowell Pearl, LEAD, the Success Coaching Company
• Jennifer Yarbrough, Nonprofit Expert
• Tiffany Boyle, Newport News Commissioner of the Revenue
• Lori Ruffin, The COO Team
• Rita Cohen, Fit with Rita
• Dr. JaNae Taylor, Taylor Counseling and Consulting
• Gwen Hurt, Shoe Crazy Wine
• Tremaine Wills, Mind over Money, LLC

 

The Networking

Business owners are connected in Hampton Roads, but there is always room for even more connections, another potential opportunity to introduce your products to another business (B2B at it’s finest!) or meet like-minded people who are as passionate about the community as we all are. 

Although BDW is virtual this year, we have so many opportunities for our attendees to interact with new businesses and customers. One of our favorite methods to connect your business to a new audience has been our all-digital pop-up shoppe! Each exhibitor gets its own digital space to engage with shoppers! 

The Zoo-La-La BOSS Fashion Show 

We got a little crazy with this one, but we are excited about having some fun! 50 business owners, 3 fun themes, a beautiful park full of animals, and a cinematographer – imagine that! We are professionally producing a fashion show that will air during Black Diamond Weekend and be available for digital download. An amazing, free opportunity for the business promo! Join us!

Black BRAND’s Next Steps Announcements 

Black BRAND has worked hard this year to expand membership offerings, increase networking for supplier diversity with large corporations, and leveraging social capital to bring new and exciting things to Hampton Roads – with a specific focus on the black business community. Hear about new opportunities during Black Diamond Weekend! 

We have a number of ways to get involved in Black Diamond Weekend: apply as an Exhibitor to display your wares during our pop up shoppe, sponsor a particular event or speaker during the weekend, or purchase your ticket. (Include links to all of these options). For even more ways to get involved, contact us today!