The 4th Annual HBCU Empowerment Conference

A national convening by the PNC and Howard University National Center for Entrepreneurship, the 2026 HBCU Empower Conference convenes founders, investors, and ecosystem leaders to explore how today’s founders can plant seeds for prosperity and ownership that extend far beyond a single generation. For generations, HBCUs have served as laboratories of ingenuity, resilience, and leadership — producing entrepreneurs and institution builders who created opportunity even when systems weren’t designed to support them. Today we stand at another pivotal moment. AI is transforming the global economy, reshaping industries, and redefining how businesses are built. 

Learn more or register at hbcuempower.com.

Three days. One star-studded lineup of founders, investors, and ecosystem builders taking the stage for high-energy panels, hands-on workshops, and can’t-miss breakout sessions across three powerhouse tracks. Add in the marketplace, electric networking receptions, and a show-stopping Awards Dinner finale, and you’ve got a summit built for momentum. This national convening brings together entrepreneurs, investors, researchers, ecosystem builders, and students from across the country to explore how artificial intelligence can drive entrepreneurial wealth and generational prosperity. Participants examine how tradition and technology intersect to create pathways of ownership and opportunity that extend beyond a single generation.

Dates: 
June 24-26, 2026​

Conference Location:
The Westin DC Downtown
999 9th Street NW
Washington, DC 20001, US

Key Events

• Opening Reception-AI & Innovation: The conference begins with a dynamic reception that introduces attendees to AI as a driver of entrepreneurial wealth building. Through live demonstrations, founder showcases, and curated networking, participants will explore how emerging technologies can support business creation, growth and scale.

• HBCU Empower Awards Dinner: The conference concludes with a celebration recognizing the achievements of founders, partners, and program participants whose work embodies the mission, leadership and impact of the Howard University & PNC National Center for Entrepreneurship.

• Entrepreneur Resource Fair + Office Hours: The resource fair connects entrepreneurs with organizations offering funding pathways, technology platforms, consulting services, and broader ecosystem support. Attendees will also participate in dedicated office hours with experts and partners, gaining practical guidance and insights to help strengthen and advance their ventures.

• Pitch Competition: The pitch competition will feature founders from across the Center’s programming over the past year, spotlighting emerging ventures developed through HBCU entrepreneurship initiatives. Founders will present their ideas in a high-energy competition that celebrates creativity, innovation, and the next generation of entrepreneurial leadership.

• Panels, Workshops, and Managing Conversations: Across two days of programming, panels, workshops, and mainstage conversations will equip attendees with the tools, technologies, and strategies needed for entrepreneurial growth and wealth creation. Founders, investors, and technology leaders will share practical insights on scaling ventures, navigating emerging markets, adapting strategies and designing businesses for the futuAcross two days of programming, panels, workshops, and mainstage conversations will equip attendees with the tools, technologies, and strategies needed for entrepreneurial growth and wealth creation. Founders, investors, and technology leaders will share practical insights on scaling ventures, navigating emerging markets, adapting strategies and designing businesses for the future.

• Networking Receptions: Various networking receptions throughout the conference celebrate the legacy and leadership of HBCUs and the founders they cultivate. This gathering spotlights the achievements of entrepreneurs and ecosystem leaders across the Center’s national network while reinforcing the vital role HBCUs play as engines of innovation, entrepreneurship and economic mobility.
   

Panel & Workshop Tracks

• Elevating Entrepreneurs: This track features workshops and panels designed to equip entrepreneurs with the resources, skills, and knowledge needed to scale and grow their ventures in a rapidly evolving economy. Sessions explore how founders can leverage emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence, to strengthen strategy, streamline operations, and identify new market opportunities. Participants will examine how innovation and technology can drive sustainable growth and long-term prosperity.
• Empowering the Ecosystem: This convening brings together university leaders, ecosystem builders, and community partners to share best practices and resources that expand opportunity for entrepreneurs. Discussions focus on how collaboration across universities, incubators, investors, and public institutions can expand access to entrepreneurship education, funding pathways, and innovation infrastructure, ensuring founders have the support systems needed to succeed.
• Investing and Impact: This track offers workshops and training focused on strategies to fund, finance, and grow businesses and the communities they serve. Sessions explore capital access, responsible innovation, emerging technology markets, and investment approaches that balance financial returns with long-term community impact. Participants will gain insight into how capital and innovation can work together to create shared prosperity.

Speakers

• Cornell McBride Jr.
  President | McBride Research Laboratories/ Design Essentials
• Denise Rolark Barnes
  Publisher | The Washington Informer
• Donald Cravins Jr.
  President and CEO | National Minority Supplier Development Council, Inc. (NMSDC)
• Dr. Lakeysha Hallmon
  CEO and Founder | Village Retail, Village Books, The Village Market and Our Village United | Author, “No One Is Self-Made”
• Jasmine Hudson
  Co-Founder and Chief Merchant | Black Paper Party
• Nasir Qadree
  Founder and Managing Partner | Zeal Capital Partner
• Natalie Madeira Cofield
  President and CEO | Association for Enterprise Opportunity (AEO)
• Robert L. Greene
  President and CEO | National Association of Investment Companies (NAIC)
• Rukiya Kelly
  Global Head of Corporate Impact | FICO
• Shaina Rainford
  Founder/CEO | Bask and Lather Co.
• Shannan Herbert
  CEO | WACIF
• Stacie Lee Banks
  President/Co-owner | Lee's Flower & Card Shop Inc.