Bowie State Hosts Fourth Annual HBCU+ Entrepreneurship Conference

University Collaborated with Tom Joyner Foundation, White House Initiative on HBCUs

MEDIA CONTACT: Jonathan Saxon, [email protected], 301-860-3607

(BOWIE, Md.) - Bowie State University's fourth annual HBCU+ Entrepreneurship Conferencewelcomed more than 900 virtual participants and highlighted the power of the entrepreneurial mindset as a crucial element for success in starting their own businesses.

This year's conference theme, "Igniting Innovation, Building Legacies: Empowering the Next Generation of Entrepreneurs," aimed to inspire participants who have had ideas about using their talents to branch out and start their own small business or develop a service to address an unanswered need.

"It's a call to action," said Johnetta Hardy, executive director of the Entrepreneurship Innovation Center at Bowie State. "The theme reflects Bowie State's commitment to providing resources, mentorship, and real-world opportunities for students to develop their ideas and build lasting legacies in their communities."

The university hosted the conference in collaboration with the White House Initiative on HBCUs.

"We're thrilled to partner with the HBCU+ Entrepreneurship Conference and Bowie State University to amplify the entrepreneurial spirit thriving within our HBCU community," said Dr. Deitra Trent, executive director of the White House Initiative on HBCUs. "This collaboration is about more than just supporting new ventures; it's about empowering the next generation of Black innovators to drive economic growth, create jobs, and build legacies that will transform communities."

The Tom Joyner Foundation sponsored this year's "I Got An Idea: HBCU Pitch Competition," giving six individuals the chance to compete for $5,000 in cash prizes.

"Tom Joyner has always been a champion for HBCUs, recognizing their vital role in empowering future generations," said Sherise Malachi, head of strategic partnerships at the Tom Joyner Foundation. "The 'I Got An Idea:HBCU Pitch Competition' reflects his commitment to providing HBCU students with a platform to showcase their innovative ideas through entrepreneurship."

The conference featured multiple workshops and panel discussions that touched on topics such as fundraising for your venture, connecting what you learned in the classroom to working in the boardroom, and how the future of HBCUs will be influenced by the growth of artificial intelligence.

Celebrity speakers, such as TV personality Al Reynolds, attorney and mental health advocate Jade Mathis and Shark Tank casting director Brandon Andrews, made appearances and shared nuggets of wisdom from their individual journeys as entrepreneurs.

"If you got that idea, put it out there," said Andrews during a sit down with Reynolds and Mathis. "Don't let the perfect get in the way of the good."

Mathis described the fear she felt at the beginning of her transition from practicing law to public speaking. However, she was determined to not let her fear keep her on the sidelines.

"Do it afraid, as long as you do it," she said. "Use all of your gifts in different seasons."

"In our session, 'Beyond the Spotlight: Building Legacies Through Entrepreneurship,'we wanted to inspire students and viewers to see that true success goes beyond fame-it's about building something that endures and uplifts others," said Reynolds, co-host of Fox Soul's TEA-G-I-F. "With our celebrity guests who have not only achieved success in the spotlight but have also built thriving business ventures, the conference enabled us to show the next generation how to leverage their talents, build sustainable legacies, and create lasting impact."

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About Bowie State University
Founded in 1865, Bowie State University is the first Historically Black College/University (HBCU) in Maryland and one of the ten oldest in the country. As a leading institution of higher learning, Bowie State offers more than 65 bachelor's, master's, doctoral and certificate programs across arts and sciences, technology, business, education, healthcare and related disciplines. The university provides high-quality and affordable educational opportunities in a supportive environment that empowers students to think critically, make new discoveries, value differences and emerge as leaders in a highly technical, rapidly changing global society. For more information about Bowie State University, visit bowiestate.edu.

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