BPN SUMMIT 2024: A Celebration of Legacy and Empowerment (Event Recap)

BPN SUMMIT 2024: A Celebration of Legacy and Empowerment (Event Recap)

Discover how legacy building, wealth creation, and community impact intertwined at the Black Professionals Network 2024 Summit! Sponsored by the Miami Beach Economic Development Department, this transformative event engaged over 500 Black professionals and entrepreneurs at the "LegacyCon: House of Heroes" conference. From inspiring keynotes by industry trailblazers like Fawn Weaver to dynamic panel discussions, the summit was a hub of empowerment and actionable insights.

Miami Beach Sponsors and Engages at 10^th Annual Black Professionals Network Summit

Miami Beach proudly sponsored and participated in the 10th Annual Black Professionals Network (BPN) Summit, held on December 22, 2024, at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino. The event, themed “LegacyCon: House of Heroes”, gathered Black professionals, entrepreneurs, and thought leaders uniting them by a common vision: build lasting legacies through financial success, personal development, and community impact.

A Celebration of Legacy and Empowerment

The three-day summit provided a dynamic platform, for over 500 attendees, to gain insights, network, and reflect on their professional journeys. The event featured keynote speeches, panel discussions, workshops, and interactive sessions designed to empower professionals and foster community engagement.

Inspiring Keynote by Fawn Weaver

A highlight of the summit was the keynote speaker Fawn Weaver, co-founder of Uncle Nearest Premium Whiskey and two-time New York Times bestselling author. Weaver shared her remarkable journey of resilience, entrepreneurship, and legacy-building. She spoke about her mission to honor Nathan “Nearest” Green, a formerly enslaved man who taught Jack Daniel the art of distilling, thereby reshaping the whiskey industry by bringing his story to light.

Weaver emphasized the power of storytelling in business and the importance of ownership in building generational wealth. "You can’t compete with marketing dollars, but you can dominate with earned media," she explained, highlighting how she leveraged press coverage to build the Uncle Nearest brand. Her story resonated deeply with the audience as she shared personal experiences of overcoming challenges, including dropping out of high school at 15 and experiencing homelessness.

Empowering Panel Discussions and Workshops

The summit featured a variety of panel discussions and workshops covering topics such as entrepreneurship, wealth building, leadership development, and leveraging technology for business growth.

Miami Beach participated in a panel titled "Operation Opportunity: Powering Progress through Partnerships", which included leaders from government agencies, economic development advocates, and procurement officers to highlight business opportunities available to potential vendors and partners. Veronica Hennig, Senior Redevelopment Specialist from the Miami Beach Economic Development Department, shared information about grants, incentives, and programs designed to attract and support businesses.

"Success in entrepreneurship is deeply rooted in the relationships we build with our communities and government entities," said Ms. Hennig. "Our programs are not just about financial support; they are creating a collaborative environment where businesses and the community grow together."

The summit served as a valuable platform for sharing knowledge, inspiring action, and building connections that will drive economic empowerment. The department remains committed to supporting entrepreneurs and businesses as they navigate opportunities for growth in Miami Beach.

Get Involved with Miami Beach Economic Development

Businesses and entrepreneurs interested in learning more about the city's programs and opportunities are encouraged to contact the Economic Development Department. Resources offered include:

• Grants and Incentives: Financial programs designed to support business attraction, expansion, and retention.
• Business Support Services: Guidance on navigating regulatory processes, accessing local resources, and connecting with key stakeholders.
• Community Engagement Opportunities: Initiatives that foster collaboration between businesses, community organizations, and government entities.

Together, We Can Fuel Growth

We invite you to join us in building a prosperous future for the Miami Beach community. For more information, please visit our www.mbbiz.com.