the agenda
may 23
2026
panels
Panel 1
12:15 - 13:00
UNBOXED:
THE POWER OF THE PIVOT
What You’ll Walk Away With:
A real look at what it actually takes to move from one career path to another, beyond the highlight reel.
Practical insight on how to recognize when a shift makes sense and how to navigate it step by step.
moderator
Vanessa Mésidor • Associate Director, People & Culture | Centre Canadien d'Architecture
speakers
Sylvine Maliko • Chief Creative Officer (CCO) | TAAC GROUP / SMARD ART
Kipola Wakilongo • Actor, Producer, Real-Estate Agent | Kipola Wakilongo Inc.
Panel 2
13:45 - 14:30
community is currency:
building a brand that actually connects
What You’ll Walk Away With:
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
Tracy Paulotte • Business Strategist for Creative Industries | The Index HQ
speakers
Fabrice Vil • Author, Columnist, Speaker
Rito Joseph • Community Speaker | Black Montreal Experiences
Joanna Chevalier • Co-Founder | Le Marathon Créatif et Never Was Average
Jamillah Jean • Founder, Executive Director | Routes to Rootz
Closing Keynote
16:00 - 16:45
turn the tables:
Testing Culture, Identity, Business and Movement in Real Time
What You’ll Walk Away With:
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
speaker
KARABA • DJ/Producer | DJ Karaba Inc.
workshops
Workshop 1
11:00 - 11:45
Content That Converts:
Social Media for Business Growth
What You’ll Walk Away With:
How to create content that drives results, not just engagement
Ways to turn your audience into clients and opportunities
Clarity on what actually matters for sustainable growth
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
What You’ll Walk Away With:
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
speaker
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
What You’ll Walk Away With:
Practical AI tools to support your day-to-day work
How to integrate AI with intention, not dependency
A sharper lens on the risks of over-reliance
SPEAKER
Nathalie Sanon • AI, Training Manager, Enthusiast, Critic | Entrepreneur @MyOwn
founder cohort
Session 1
11:00 - 11:30
THE AI playbook:
tools worth your time and money
What You’ll Walk Away With:
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
SPEAKER
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
What You’ll Walk Away With:
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
SPEAKER
Steve Ehounou • Partner in Audit and Business Advisor | MNP
Session 3
12:15 - 12:45
lock it down:
legal protection for the entrepreneur
What You’ll Walk Away With:
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
SPEAKER
Edmond Nankam Dzokou • Business Lawyer & Managing Partner | Endlex Legal
pit stop sessions
10:20 - 11:00
Black Healing Centre Grounding Session
The Black Healing Centre invites you to reconnect and recharge in this 30-minute immersive session designed to bring you back into your body and into the present moment.
Led by Tanja Nachtigall, this guided experience uses gentle movement and breathwork to release tension, regulate your nervous system, and ground your energy. It’s a space to quiet the noise, find your breath, and return to yourself, so you can move through the rest of the conference feeling more present, clear, and aligned.
Pit Stop 1.1
11:00 - 11:45
BUYING BUSINESSES:
From Opportunity to Ownership
WHAT IT TAKES TO BUILD LONG-TERM WEALTH
What You’ll Walk Away With:
How acquisitions can build long-term wealth
What to look for when evaluating a business
Insight into buying, running, and sustaining a business
moderator
Mona-Lisa Prosper• Senior Director, Community Engagement | Futurpreneur
speakers
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
What You’ll Walk Away With:
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
SPEAKER
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
What You’ll Walk Away With:
A clearer understanding of systemic gaps in women’s healthcare
Insight into pelvic health, chronic care, and self-advocacy
Ideas for more accessible, community-centered approaches to care
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
What You’ll Walk Away With:
How an EMBA can accelerate career growth and transitions
A clearer understanding of the 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
What You’ll Walk Away With:
A new understanding of how art can be accessible and part of daily culture
Insight into how art preserves stories and shapes collective identity
A clearer view of how culture and legacy are deeply connected
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
What You’ll Walk Away With:
Where AI is heading and why early adoption matters
Practical ways to integrate AI into your work
How to stay competitive as the landscape shifts
speaker
Claudette Hutchinson • CEO | Owning My (Domain) Ltd
Pit Stop 2.3
15:15 - 15:45
scaling smart:
stop doing it all, start building what pays you back
What You’ll Walk Away With:
When and how to delegate or build systems in your business
How to prioritize high-impact work that drives growth
Strategies to scale sustainably without burning out
speaker
Phil G. Joseph • Founder, Rep Matters | Senior Associate, Real Ventures
OFFICE HOURS
Amy Sylla
14:30 - 15:00
professional and personal coaching:
Career transitions, goal setting & gaining confidence
Claudette Hutchinson
14:30 - 15:00
AI Implementation and Adoption
Jennifer Nwankwo
14:30 - 15:00
women’s pelvic health
Stéphanie Milsé
15:45 - 16:15
Executive MBA
Nathalie Sanon
15:45 - 16:15
Responsible AI integration in the workplace
David Gangbazo
15:45 - 16:15
Career progression, entrepreneurship and leadership
Malik Shaheed
13:00 - 13:30
Networking is the key to success:
Learn how to build meaningful and important connections at a young age
Kipola Wakilongo
13:00 - 13:30
acting, production & real estate
Rashida Geedes
13:00 - 13:30
career development, mentorship, networking or personal branding
INFO SESSION
11:00 - 11:30
NOT JUST ONE LANE:
How Air Canada Supports Career and Entrepreneurial Growth
What You’ll Walk Away With:
Different career paths beyond aviation roles
How Air Canada supports professional growth
Ways founders can connect to larger opportunities
SPEAKERS
Christianna Scott • Director, Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Employee Accessibility | Air Canada
Andrew Free • Senior Manager Operations Control | Air Canada
cv clinics
resume review
Need a second set of eyes on your résumé? Stop by the CV Clinic at BLAXPO for real-time feedback and practical advice on how to strengthen your CV, better position your experience, and stand out in today’s job market.
Sponsored by UIBE² – CDNBCA and facilitated by Rashida Geddes.
Session 2
Session 1
14:15 - 15:15
12:00 - 13:00
facilitator
Rashida Geddes • Leadership & Career Coach, Talent Leader | RGI / Bell
FOUNDER COHORT
For Founders, Entrepreneurs, and Business Owners ready to level up!
GET IN THE ROOM!
Your seat is waiting.