the agenda
may 23
2026
panels
PANEL 1
13:45 - 14:30
community is currency:
building a brand that actually connects
Key Takeaways:
How to build with legacy and long-term impact in mind
Ways to extend your influence beyond titles and roles
A clearer path to creating meaningful, community-driven change
moderator
Vanessa Mésidor • Associate Director, People & Culture | Centre Canadien d'Architecture
speakers
Fabrice Vil • Auteur, Chroniqueur et Conférencier | Company TBD
Rito Joseph • Title TBD | Black Montreal Experiences
Joanna Chevalier • Cofondatrice | Le Marathon Créatif et Never Was Average
Jamillah Jean • Founder / Executive Director | Routes to Rootz
Panel 2
13:45 - 14:30
LOREM IPSUM DOLOR:
LOREM IPSUM DOLOR
Key Takeaways:
How to build with legacy and long-term impact in mind
Ways to extend your influence beyond titles and roles
A clearer path to creating meaningful, community-driven change
moderator
Vanessa Mésidor • Associate Director, People & Culture | Centre Canadien d'Architecture
speakers
Fabrice Vil • Auteur, Chroniqueur et Conférencier | Company TBD
Rito Joseph • Title TBD | Black Montreal Experiences
Joanna Chevalier • Cofondatrice | Le Marathon Créatif et Never Was Average
Jamillah Jean • Founder / Executive Director | Routes to Rootz
workshops
Workshop 1
11:00 - 11:45
Content That Converts:
Social Media for Business Growth
Key Takeaways:
Learn how to create content that drives real business results, not just engagement
Understand how to turn your audience into clients, customers, and opportunities
Gain clarity on what to focus on to grow sustainably on social media
speakers
Aïcha Dramé & Idriss Diabagaté • Co-Founders | The Real Influence House
Workshop 2
13:45 - 14:30
protect your lane (and your business)
legal essentials for the entrepreneur
Key Takeaways:
The key steps to set up and protect your business
A clear understanding of contracts, IP, and risk
When to handle it yourself and when to bring in legal support
speakers
Edmond Nankam Dzokou • Business Lawyer & Managing Partner | Endlex Legal
Workshop 3
15:00 - 15:45
THE AI ASSIST:
How the Bots Can Do the Heavy-Lifting
Key Takeaways:
Learn practical AI tools that can support and optimize your day-to-day work
Understand how to integrate AI intentionally rather than relying on it blindly
Develop a more critical approach to AI use, including the risks of overdependence
speakers
Nathalie Sanon • AI / Training Manager / Enthusiast / Critic
founder cohort
Session 1
11:00 - 11:30
THE AI playbook:
tools worth your time and money
Key Takeaways:
How to identify AI tools worth investing in
How to choose tools based on your business stage
Ways to use AI for real growth and efficiency
SPEAKERS
Agapi Gessesse • CEO | CILAR
Session 2
11:30 - 12:00
Finance 101 for
the Entrepreneur:
Cash flow, funding, and financial decisions that keep you in business
Key Takeaways:
The fundamentals of managing cash flow and business finances
How to make informed financial decisions as you grow
Clarity on budgeting, funding, and financial planning
SPEAKERS
Steve Ehounou • Partner in Audit and Business Advisor | MNP
Session 3
Key Takeaways:
How to structure and protect your business legally
Understanding key legal documents and when to use them
Confidence in managing legal risk as you scale
12:15 - 12:45
lock it down:
legal protection for the entrepreneur
speakers
Edmond Nankam Dzokou • Business Lawyer & Managing Partner | Endlex Legal
office hours
Nathalie Sanon
12:15 - 12:45PM ET
Responsible AI integration in the workplace
Claudette Hutchinson
12:15 - 12:45PM ET
AI Implementation and Adoption
Amy Sylla
12:15 - 12:45PM ET
title tbd
Stéphanie Milsé
12:15 - 12:45PM ET
Executive MBA
Aïcha Dramé & Idriss Diabagaté
12:15 - 12:45PM ET
Personal branding, social media, content creation and influence as an opportunity
Jennifer Nwankwo
12:15 - 12:45PM ET
women’s pelvic health
pit stop sessions
Pit Stop 1.1
11:00 - 11:45
BUYING BUSINESSES:
From Opportunity to Ownership
WHAT IT TAKES TO BUILD LONG-TERM WEALTH
Key Takeaways:
Understand how acquiring existing businesses can be a strategy
for long-term wealthLearn what to look for when evaluating a business opportunity
Gain insight into the real process behind buying and sustaining
a business
speakers
Mona-Lisa Prosper • Business Lawyer & Managing Partner | Endlex Legal
Alexander Sinora • Co-Founder, Atwater Partners | Chairman, Black Wealth Club
Fred-Elie Rocher • Co-Founder | Acquisition CRS
Pit Stop 1.2
12:30 - 13:00
the introvert advantage:
how quiet leaders change the game
Key Takeaways:
How to leverage introverted strengths in professional and leadership spaces
Strategies to build visibility and influence on your own terms
Tools for leading effectively without needing to be the loudest in the room
speakers
Amy Sylla • Inclusion Leader & Coach | CBC & Amy Sylla Inc.
Pit Stop 1.3
14:00 - 14:30
beyond the checkup:
An Unfiltered Talk on Women’s Health
Key Takeaways:
Understand the systemic gaps and barriers that continue to shape women’s healthcare experiences
Learn more about pelvic health, chronic care journeys, and how to better advocate for yourself within the healthcare system
Explore what more community-centered, personalized, and accessible approaches to care can look like
speakers
Jennifer Nwankwo • Founder & CEO, Nuvo Physio | Pelvic Health Physiotherapist
Djamilla Toure • Fondatrice, Directrice Générale | Sayaspora Media
Pit Stop 1.4
15:15- 15:45
The executive edge:
why an emba could be your next power play
Key Takeaways:
Learn how the EMBA at HEC Montréal can accelerate your
career growth and transitionsUnderstand the value and ROI of executive education
speakers
David Gangbazo • Vice President, Corporate Services and Organizational Effectiveness | Beluga Construction
Stéphanie Milsé • Directrice, communications, marketing et relations avec les diplômé(e)s | EMBA McGill–HEC Montréal
Pit Stop 2.1
12:30 - 13:00
the culture investment:
why art matters for your wealth and identity
Key Takeaways:
Understand how art can be made more accessible, approachable, and part of everyday cultural conversations
Gain a new perspective on the role art plays in preserving stories, shaping culture, and building legacy
speakers
Diane Gistal • Curatrice, Fondatrice et Directrice Générale | Nigra Luventa
Ella Cooper • Award-winning Cultural Leader, Director/Producer, Founder | Black Women Film & Media, Brown Rabbit Studios & Ella Cooper Productions
Daly Anne Zogbo • Director of Annual Giving | Montreal Museum of Fine Arts
Marcus Troy • Founder | Marcus Troy Studios Inc.
Pit Stop 2.2
14:00 - 14:30
ai or left behind:
what you need to know before you’re lapped
Key Takeaways:
Understand where AI is heading and why early adoption matters
Learn practical ways to start integrating AI into your work
Identify opportunities to stay competitive in a changing landscape
speakers
Claudette Hutchinson • CEO | Owning My (Domain) Ltd
Pit Stop 2.3
Key Takeaways:
Learn when and how to delegate or build systems in your business
Understand how to prioritize high-impact work that drives growth
Gain strategies to scale sustainably without burning out
15:15 - 15:45
scaling smart:
stop doing it all, start building what pays you back
speakers
Phil G. Joseph • Founder, Rep Matters | Senior Associate, Real Ventures
KEYNOTES
Closing Keynote
16:00 - 16:45
turn the tables:
Testing Culture, Identity, Business and Movement in Real Time
Key Takeaways:
How music shapes culture and collective energy
What it takes to build a creative path with intention
A new lens on music as impact beyond entertainment
speakers
KARABA • DJ/Producer | DJ Karaba Inc.
ready for the experiencE?
Buy your ticket now!