EVENT FLOW

8:15 PM

Doors Open

• Champagne service (45 minutes)
• Cash bars open (Main Floor + Hallway)
• General Admission seating: 1st and 4th sections, or 2nd floor. 3rd floor seating available after 9:30 PM.
VIP seating: 2nd and 3rd sections (Main Floor)

9:15 PM – 10:45 PM

Main Show Program

Hosts:
Michele Lopaz + ISH Podcasters

9:15 PM – 9:17 PM: Show Opening
• 9:28 PM – 9:50 PM: Secret Society Performance
• 9:56 PM – 10:00 PM: Ubiquitous Woman of the Year
• 10:00 PM – 10:03 PM: Award Presentation
• 10:10 PM – 10:50 PM: Doug E. Fresh Performance

10:51 PM – 12:45 AM

Event Closing & Private Shopping

• 11:00 PM – 12:30 AM: DJ After Party
• 11:20 PM – 12:15 AM: Private Shopping (exclusive exhibitor floor access)
• 12:15 AM – 12:45 AM: Venue Exit

11:00 AM

Expo Hall Opens

1:36 AM – 11:58 AM

Sponsor Spotlight

Featured Sponsors:
Cantu, Mielle, Capital Region Minority Supplier Development Council, Capital Readiness Program, American Cancer Society, Dollar General, AHF, Community Bridge Inc., AMBI, Carol’s Daughter, Touch…The Black Breast Cancer Alliance, Giant Food, MedStar, Open My Heart Foundation, Café Mocha, Fly Hip Ageless, and IKNOW

12:00 PM – 1:00 PM

Fireside Chat

Participants:
Germaine + Sherri Shepherd

Theme:
“Thriving in Your Valley Moments”

111:18 PM – 1:45 PM

Panel Discussion

Topic:
Why Supplier Inclusion Is STILL Important

Moderator:
Sharon Pinder, President & CEO, Capital Region Minority Supplier Development Council

Panelists:
Antoine Hinton (Senior Director, Small Business Development @ Dollar General)
Tawana Thomas (Former Chief Diversity Officer, American Cancer Society)
Sonya Bigelow-Smith (Director of Capital Readiness)

1:48 PM – 2:15 PM

Line Dancing with Kim Tyler & Company

2:19 PM – 3:00 PM

Cancer Conquerors Panel (Cancer Conquerors on the Rise!)

Moderator:
Uzo Osameka – Touch…The Black Breast Cancer Alliance

Panelists:
Toni Robinson (2x Cancer Conqueror and TV Producer)
Shalanda Holmes (Principal, DEI Strategic Partnerships)

3:05 PM – 3:30 PM

C Awards Presentation

Presenters:
Erin Gorham (Brand Manager, Cantu) + Hana Pugh Scott (Director, Nonprofit Bmore Empowered)

Recipients:
Cyrene Tankard (Culture)
Thea Washington (Community)
Michele Lopez (Courage)
LaRian Finney (Change)

3:35 PM – 4:00 PM

Special Interview

Topic:
“Learn How to Save Your Life. . . Cardiac Screenings”

4:01 PM – 4:03 PM

Exhibitor Spotlight

4:05 PM – 4:35 PM

Gabby Samone – Performance

4:45 PM – 5:45 PM

Entrepreneurship Panel (Lessons Learned – Part 1 & 2)

Moderator:
Sheila Eldridge, Founder & CEO, Café Mocha Radio

Part 1 Panelists (12+ yrs):
Lisa Price (Founder & CEO, Carol’s Daughter)
Janell Stephens (Founder & CEO, Camille Rose)
Jesseca Harris-Dupart (Founder & CEO, Kaleidoscope)

Part 2 Panelists (<12 yrs):
Madia Willis (Co-Founder & CEO, Black Paper Party)
Jennifer Juma (Chief Strategy Officer, Black Girl’s Vitamin)
Shaina Rainford (Founder & CEO, Bask & Lather)

5:46 PM – 7:00 PM

Shop ‘Til You Drop

6:00 PM – 7:15 PM

Conversation with Ubiquitous Women: Let’s Talk…Girl Talk

Topics:
Menopause, Mental Health, HIV, the Economy, and other key concerns

Moderator:
Dr. Kimberly Jeffries Leonard, Globally Recognized Public Health Leader and Strategist

Panelists:
Dr. Paula Orr (MD, Menopause Expert)
Anita Castille (Global & Domestic VP of Human Resources, AHF)
Jada McCray, LCSWC (Co-Owner & COO, BTST Services)

7:00 PM

Expo Ends

10:30 AM

Attendee Registration Opens

11:00 AM

Expo Hall Opens

Main Screen:
“Welcome to Soul Food Sunday – Powered by Giant Food, Rejoice Networks & Higher Purpose Consulting LLC”

11:30 AM

Event Welcome – Dr. Kym Lee-King

11:32 AM – 11:42 AM

Worship Opening (Elder Lamont McCoy)

Hosts:
Dr. Kym Lee-King (Minister, Motivator, and Renowned Makeup Artist)
Elder Lamont McCoy (Associate Assistant to his father at Trinity Church of God in Christ, Benton Harbor, Michigan)

11:42 AM – 12:02 PM

Travis Malloy Performanc

12:06 PM – 12:49 PM

JJ Hairston Performance

12:50 PM – 1:04 PM

Segment Sponsor Introduction (Giant Food, Rejoice Networks, Higher Purpose Consulting)

1:05 PM – 1:08 PM

Sponsor Giveaway

1:18 PM – 2:03 PM

Panel Discussion: “Heal the Hurt”

Moderator:
Dr. Kym Lee-King (Minister, Motivator, and Renowned Makeup Artist)

Panelists:
Olivia Lang (Founder, Higher Purpose Consulting LLC)
Monique Samuels (Holistic Enthusiast & Multimedia Personality)
Jada McCray, LCSWC (Co-Owner & COO, BTST Services)

2:04 PM – 2:19 PM

Giant Food Presentation

3:15 PM – 5:00 PM

Shop ‘Til You Drop

5:00 PM

Event Close – See You in 2026!