OCT. 9 - WEEK 1: CLICK HERE
OCT. 16 - WEEK 2: CLICK HERE
OCT. 23 - WEEK 3: CLICK HERE
OCT. 30 - WEEK 4: CLICK HERE
UNDERSTAND:
The 2020 Elevate Conference is expected to grow the knowledge of all attendees; for a better understanding of historical and current causes of the racial wealth gap and its impacts
ACTIVATE:
Attendees will be able to identify relevant ways to personally grow wealth, and collectively help close the racial wealth gap.
CONNECT:
Through intentional networking and engagement, attendees and speakers will connect and develop partnerships to advance the black community and close the racial wealth gap.
Morgan Graves Consultants (MGC) was established in 2015 as a minority-owned and operated
consulting firm. MGC’s mission is to provide quality, integrity-based services for clients and partners.
MGC supports business development solutions for both domestic and international entities and operates with expertise in strategic planning, evaluation, program development, and training. Marnée Morgan is the
CEO-Principal Consultant, with 20+ years’ experience in the business, non-profit, and education sectors. In addition, Marnée's experience involves the activation of partnerships and coalitions.
MGC comes to you today with feelings of vulnerability, but hope; anxiety, but resilience; and fear, but strength. COVID-19 has shifted our way of thinking, but also improved our clarity of how important it is to lean on each other for assistance. During this time of uncertainty and what the next move should be, we are challenged daily to adapt to the changes. The same business owners we’ve worked with in the past have become at home teachers, doctors, aspiring dancers and more. We say that with excitement because we are continuing to find peace, heal and dedicate more time with our families. The importance of development is learning new ways to shift our thinking and improve our actions and way of life.
One thing we're sure of is that we are truly maintaining an entrepreneurial spirit. We don’t give up, but fight and push through barriers. While dealing with a pandemic hasn’t been easy, not even for us, the struggles are appreciated. We especially appreciate that in October 2020, Morgan Graves Consultants, LLC will celebrate 5 years in business! Because the end goal of knowing MGC will reach a five-year milestone, even through this time of pandemic and uncertainty, informs of that we are capable of accomplishing anything.
While we have shifted our own lives, we are hopeful and look forward to hosting the virtual series for the 2020 Elevate Conference: Closing the Racial Wealth Gap. The series will begin on Friday, October 9, 2020, and will run each Friday thru October 30, 2020.
As we move forward with the 2020 Elevate conference, we are sensitive and fully support the health and safety of each person. This is the reason we have chosen to present the virtual conference in response to our challenges, but above all, putting the safety of our community first.
In partnership with Harris Stowe State University, we will work together to ensure a well-organized and successful event for all the conference participants. We look forward to celebrating five years, your participation, and continued support for the 2nd Annual Elevate Conference: Closing the Racial Wealth Gap!
Marnée's experience involves the activation of partnerships and coalitions. Marnée earned her M.S., in Leadership and Business Development, and B.S. in Business Admin. She has a (MACA) Certification in Leadership & Community Development, and Business Development certification from the (MoDOT). As a designated (MBE) and (WBE) with certifications from the State of Missouri and the City of St. Louis, the work of MGC is to ensure equitable opportunities are created within communities served regardless of race, ethnicity, gender, or alternative orientations.
Dr. LaTonia Collins Smith has more than 20 years of progressive leadership experience with an extensive background in administration and program development. She provides leadership over the College of Education, the College of Arts and Sciences, the Anheuser-Busch School of Business, seven academic departments, an associate provost, five deans and assistant deans, nine directors and six department chairs.
Dr. Collins Smith has rebranded the university’s career services and academic advising departments, university wide math pathway implementation and oversight of over $5.2 million for grant awards. In addition she accessed a $5 million National Science Foundation grant to strengthen STEM in the state of Missouri, the largest grant in the history of Harris-Stowe.
Dr. Bradford began his tenure as the 20th President of Harris-Stowe State University on May 1, 2020. With more than 27 years of higher education experience, he was unanimously selected by the Harris-Stowe State University Board of Regents to serve as the institution’s leader based on his vast leadership experience, financial acumen, and student-centered focus.
Dr. Bradford comes from Prairie View A&M University where he served as the Senior VP for Business Affairs. There, he developed an extensive record of accomplishment of working with students, faculty, staff and alumni, along with local business and civic leaders, to advance the mission. He also spearheaded many improvement projects in line with the university’s strategic plans, including over $300 million in enhancements of the overall physical condition of the campus, making it one of the most attractive in the Texas A&M System and the completion of a state of the art football stadium.
Dedrick Asante - Muhammad oversees NCRC's Fair Housing, Fair Lending and Small Business programs. Dedrick is known for his racial economic inequality analysis particularly as it relates to the racial wealth divide. Dedrick comes from Prosperity Now where he was Senior Fellow and founder of the Racial Wealth Divide Initiative.
Before Prosperity Now, Dedrick worked for the NAACP, where he was the Senior Director of the Economic Department and Executive Director of the Financial Freedom Center. Dedrick has also worked for Reverend Al Sharpton’s National Action Network and the Institute for Policy Studies.
Tishaura Jones is the first woman to hold the office of Treasurer. She is the chief investment and cash management officer of the city and oversees and manages the city’s parking division. Since becoming Treasurer, Tishaura has increased transparency in city government, streamlined and modernized the parking division, improved returns on the city’s investments, increased the overall financial health of city residents by reducing the number of unbanked households, and started a citywide children’s savings program.
Prior to becoming Treasurer, Tishaura was a Missouri State Representative from 2008-2012 and was the first African American and First Female Assistant Minority Floor Leader. Tishaura enjoys an active volunteer career as a member of the St. Louis Metropolitan Alumnae chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. She also sits on the boards of Wyman and People’s Community Action Corporation.
Veta T. Jeffery has spent her life fighting for the rights of others. Veta began her professional career advocating for the rights of Differently Abled individuals. Her conflict resolution abilities allowed her to serve families by helping them to successfully navigate through education, employment, building and housing issues.
She went on to spend over 20 years working in the financial services and banking industry as a licensed professional; the Manager of Financial Services, where she ran agencies gaining national recognition. She was a business owner for 10 years where business generated revenues exceeding 6 figures.
Dr. Sanders Thompson serves as Associate Dean of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, co-director of the Center for Community Health Partnership and Research at the Institute for Public Health at Washington University, an associate member of the Siteman Cancer Center, and a faculty affiliate of the Department of African and African-American Studies.
Dr. Sanders Thompson's research focuses on the health and well-being of diverse communities, particularly the African-American community. Her scholarship addresses racial identity and socialization, implications of experiences of discrimination and socio-cultural determinants of disparities. Her goal is to empower members of the community to improve their health and well-being through education and action opportunities.
Stacy has dedicated his career to supporting young people and diverse communities. Stacy graduated from St. Louis University with a degree in elementary education and he received his master’s degree in education administration from the University of Missouri-St.Louis. He has taught
kindergarten, first, and fourth grade in both public (St. Louis Public Schools) and private school settings. Currently, Stacy serves as Director of Community Affairs for First Bank. Prior to joining First Bank he served as Deputy Superintendent of Student Support Services for St. Louis Public Schools. Additionally, Stacy was the Executive Director of College Summit-St. Louis and a two term member of the University City School Board. He currently serves on the University City, City Council. Stacy resides in University City with his wife and daughter.
Alyce is a first generation female entrepreneur, who understands the excitement of starting a new business, and ensuring its sustainability. Alyce has diligently created topic specific training, and increased counseling for women entrepreneurs to reach an average of 450+ annually. Alyce has been awarded the Top 100 persons to know to succeed in business in 2018, also awarded the Melton Lewis Award for Equal Justice by Legal Services of Eastern Missouri, and most recently nominated to be included in the Hall of Fame of Small Businesses for 2019. Because of Alyce’s passion, she has also started her own consulting company, Onyx Business Consulting and a not for profit organization, Onyx Business Solutions, to continue her work as a counselor, trainer and facilitator of training programs.
Darlene has spent most of her working years in the banking and wealth management industry where she started as a teller and worked her way up to an Assistant Vice President in Premier Banking at Bank of America. Her professional background includes President and Founder of Money Smarts School of Finance for Children, Director of Training and Development at e3 Wealth, Academic Training Leader at Edward Jones, Financial Advisor with AXA Advisors, and Financial Advisor with MetLife. For more than twenty years, Darlene has held licenses to sell property, casualty, health and life insurance in addition to holding a Series 6 and Series 63 securities licenses.
Daffney works to position the city as a leader in utilizing opportunity zone investments to support equitable economic development with neighborhood-scaled projects that have a positive impact on residents of opportunity zone communities. Moore's an associate fellow in Urban Governance for new cities. As City Manager of East St. Louis, Moore worked to reduce the city's budget deficit, reduced contracts by $1.5 Million, and secured five opportunity zones. Daffney led the ongoing recovery efforts after the Ferguson, Missouri civil unrest and achieved great success in revitalizing the corner of West Florissant & Chambers and areas along the West Florissant Avenue corridor. She works tirelessly to promote the cause of urban planning in the public arena and to improve equity and inclusion.
Financial empowerment champion, Lisa, coordinated the Bank-On Save-Up collaborative as the Financial Services Manager for Peoples Community Action – making a $20.5 million impact on the economy by banking unbanked individuals. Dedicated. Lisa currently volunteers countless hours on more than fifteen boards/committees that focus on economic prosperity and the redevelopment of vulnerable communities. Lisa co-leads a multitude of revitalization and community engagement efforts to support planning efforts of Cornerstone’s West End Plan. She is a founding Board Member of Park Place Housing & Economic Development in Fountain Park and Lewis Place, she coordinates a multi-year housing repair program for low income homeowners.
A consummate advocate of continual personal development. Julius has held positions of SR. VP, District Director, Strategic Manager, Director of Training, Business Analyst, Director of Project Managers, Process Improvement Director, Director of Logistics to name a few. He consulted with clients in the USA, Canada, and Japan. While receiving awards from the NAACP, two times the number the #1 performer nationally and internationally for Fortune 200 companies, among over 100 others awards. Upon retiring Julius now spends most of his time working with disadvantaged children
Neal's passion for improving the opportunities available to underprivileged youth, and building stronger communities, coupled with his expertise in real estate finance, has motivated Neal to co-found Dream Builders 4 Equity. Dream Builders is a nonprofit organization that aims to build social equity through financial equity by teaching youth economic principles to escape poverty, build wealth, and invest in their future through project-based learning of real estate development in low-income communities. Neal leads a team that develops and enhances investment products to close economic gaps in outcomes for women, people of color, and low-income communities. Neal’s professional experience also includes over 12 years in the real estate finance industry.
Jamala has devoted her life to creating a child-centered, family-oriented community--one that embraces, celebrates and protects human rights for all citizens regardless of race, ethnicity, class, gender or religion. Because of the persistent barriers to this goal, it has naturally her led to be a leader in the struggle for justice, equality and peace. She has been active in issues facing the African American community from police violence to voting protections to workers’ rights. Jamala’s contributions and service to the community have been recognized over the years. She has received numerous awards including the YWCA Racial Justice Award, Rosa L. Parks Life-Time Achievement Award and the St. Louis Urban League Salute to Women in Leadership.
This session will explore the impact of COVID-19 and rebuilding communities. Explore strategies for overcoming social and economic inequities, the role of economic development and government in this effort, addressing the housing challenge, practical tools to improve access to healthy environments, and partnerships that can help create more robust, more sustainable communities.
Discuss key elements of entrepreneurship. Business development exists when you are able to strategically launch, proactively prepare to adapt to changes and pivot, and maintain a solid structure to expand. By maintaining these steps, small business can and will prosper to assist in wealth and legacy building.
What do real estate investment, entrepreneurship, community building and youth development have in common? Through a case study on Dream Builders 4 Equity, you will explore how to utilize tangible strategies to address the racial wealth gap for our black communities in the St. Louis region and beyond.
Closing the racial wealth gap necessitates educating our children beyond Reading, Writing & Arithmetic. In this session, we will explore the impact behavior finance and neuro linguistic programming have on widening and narrowing the racial wealth gap. Parents, educators, and community members will learn strategies to train our children to be money smart adults who are committed to closing the racial wealth gap.
(773) 396-4416
-
Parker Gills Events is an event planning and design company that produces occasions that are attentive to detail and appealing in design. Services include full service event planning, event design, and event management.
Parker Gills Events vow to provide you an exceptional experience with flawless details that are certain to wow you and your guests. Every client is unique in their own way, which is why we thoughtfully plan to capture moments you will never forget. Contact PGE to plan your next event!
(314) 325-4003
www.facebook.com/iCharmBracelets/
www.instagram.com/icharmbracelets
-
Innovative Change Consulting Group, LLC is a nonprofit consulting firm. Innovative Change Consulting Group strives to build and elevate local nonprofits to become sustainable within the communities they serve. This is exemplified through developing innovative evidence-based practices to incorporate innovative solutions.
mmorgan@morgangravesconsultants.com
(314) 390-1882
www.morgangravesconsultants.com
-
Morgan Graves Consultants (MGC), LLC was established in March 2015 as a minority-owned and operated consulting firm. MGC’s mission is to provide quality, integrity-based service for clients and business partners.
The MGC approach to business solutions is to identify the gaps and develop strategies that influence growth and impact. The work of MGC is to ensure equitable opportunities are created within communities served regardless of race, ethnicity, gender, or alternative sexual orientation.
(618) 593-1545
-
• Small business consulting
• Affiliate marketing solutions
• Contact integration marketing (Strategic Networking)
• Custom website design | brand identity | mobile app development
• Business mentoring and development
• Graphic design and website design bootcamps
• Car Broker services -this includes negotiating your deal helping pick out a car, research, have a network of dealers and get best pricing sometimes wholesale prices www.theautomotivebrain.com
• Life insurance/ mutual funds
dmartin@moneysmartsschoolforchildren.org
(314) 956-7918
www.moneysmartsschoolforchildren.org
-
Money Smarts School of Finance for Children sees a world where reading, writing, and arithmetic are no longer enough to prepare our children to compete on a national or global stage.
Money Smarts School utilizes the experience and expertise of local financial service professionals to teach fundamental and advanced financial competencies using innovative, practical, hands-on techniques – placing students in real life situations ahead of life’s demand. Students learn about the stock market, cash flow management, the transfer of wealth from one generation to the next, and so much more.
(314) 624-0673
-
Shanae Ullman is a UX Design Leader, Speaker, Author, Educator with over a decade of experience in Fortune 500 companies, higher education, and consulting practice.
Nerdy Diva is an innovative digital agency with expertise in UX research, design, and accessibility. Nerdy Diva solves technical problems with a human-centered approach.
(314) 477-6968
-
D Powell Consulting Group's philosophy: You don't have to sacrifice people for profit.
D Powell Consulting Group helps business leaders understand the ways in which they are losing money as a result of poor people management through survey development, data collection, and analytics.
With the tools and expertise, D Powell Consulting Group pinpoints exactly where the company's resources are being lost, due to ineffective employee management, to develop a tailored plan of action to recuperate and build upon the bottom-line through your people.
maranda@mwrconsultingservices.com
(314) 690-1519
-
MWR is committed to the transformation and elevation
of Black people specifically, but not exclusively. MWR's work is intentional and centers around thoughtful practices that advances racial equity.
With years of experience in the social service, public health, and philanthropic sector, MWR lends its expertise and lived experiences to the community we serve. MWR recognizes that the solutions and next steps are within the community and the community is our first partner and expert.
(314) 755-2773
-
Daffney Moore is a skilled presenter and motivator with a propensity to build winning environments for individuals and organizations. With a passion for providing solutions to improve the quality of life for people by removing barriers through inclusion, education, economic development, and program implementation.
(314) 755-2773
www.daffneymoore.com/innovative-consulting-group
-
Innovative Consulting Group works with public/private organizations to improve government function and development projects that go beyond the standard approaches to revitalizing communities across the U.S. by focusing on improving the lives of residents through sustainable development to build strong communities that are economically and environmentally sound and socially equitable.
Key services include providing planning and economic development consulting and services to communities investing in welling being and social change to promote affordable housing, economic success, improve mobility networks, and promote local business for community.
(636) 674-9137
-
Erin Roper has been sharing her passion for design in the St. Louis community for over a decade. Whether it is for local musicians, small nonprofits, or large businesses, Erin is dedicated to delivering high-quality work and professionalism.
Erin's love of illustration and knowledge of effective communication guides her process in crafting engaging designs. Services include but are not limited to print design, branding, and digital graphics.
(773) 817-3880
www.etsy.com/shop/parkersmarkers
-
Parkers Markers handcrafts beautiful inspirational and customized book markers made from laminated fabrics. They are unique, eye-catching and extremely durable.
Parkers Markers will customize with your advertisement or special message printed
on the back.
(636) 346-3138
-
1 Click Virtual Services provides experienced virtual administrative, marketing, event planning and bookkeeping professionals for your business. Whether you're just starting up or all in, the 1 Click team will deliver top notch support so that your business grows to an entirely new level.
With more than 15 years of experience,
our virtual assistants handle can handle all of your business needs making sure things run like clockwork.
(314) 632-6079
www.facebook.com/LogographicsDesignnAdvertising
-
Logo Graphics Design + Advertising offers graphic design services and content to better advertise, market, and increase brand awareness.
(314) 292-6800
-
As a provider of general contracting and construction management services, we at the Simms Building Group are committed to discovering the most economical building solutions that will deliver each project on time and within budget all without jeopardizing the intended functional use of the facility. Our goal is to offer first class that will result in both cost and time of construction savings to each client.
(314) 632-6079
-
The Urban Broadcast Association of America (UBAA) is a growing network of over 100 independently owned community media platforms including radio stations, streaming platforms, digital and social sites, content producers, and connected community organizations anchored in and serving A.A. communities across the USA.
(314) 632-6079
www.dynastytelevisionmediaportal.com/
-
Dynasty Television is a St. Louis based media production company and collective of media and marketing partners working together to produce original programming airing in local and national markets. Our national thumbprint includes the Urban Broadcast Association of America a conglomerate of over 100 media affiliates.
We present new radio content, multi-genre music, streaming television and pre recorded shows and films to over 14,000,000 listener and viewers. Dynasty Television is truly the new face in "Culture-tainment" as we break color barriers with a swinging pendulum approach for internet viewers.
(314) 385-4800
-
Wade Funeral Home has served the St. Louis community for over 100 years. Mr. G. Wade Granberry‘s kindness and generosity made him a pillar in the City of St. Louis. He was passionate about the families he served. Accordingly, he was adamant about entrusting his legacy to someone who would continue to serve with dignity and compassion. He chose his successors because of their integrity and ability to take Wade to another level.
info@onyxbusinesssolutions.com
(314) 518-8776
-
Onyx Business Solutions is a 501(c)3 organization operating in the field of women’s economic development. The organization was founded in 2016 to provide programs and services to support and accelerate women’s business ownership and strengthen the impact of women in the economy by increasing economic growth, and building resilient communities.
-
Founded in 2016, The Black Funders of St. Louis (BFSTL) giving circle is a nontraditional form of philanthropy with a mission that encourages its membership to pool time, talents, and treasures to invest in the Black community and positively impact the well-being of Black children, youth, adults, and families in the St. Louis Metropolitan area.
caresinhomeservices17@gmail.com
(314) 738-9351
-
Cares In-Home Services, LLC offers services to keep clients with special needs in their home.
(314) 685-6831
Instagram - Salonurbanchic
-
Urban Chic Salon LLC is a small quaint studio salon where you will receive professionalism and health care knowledge. Here, professional products such as Nairobi, Lasio Keratin, Lanza, Syntonics relaxer systems, Ion, Pravana, Matrix, Redkin, and others are used.
Urban Chic Salon provides an array of services from natural hair silk press, male and female haircuts, hair coloring, dreadlocks and twist, finger waving, twist out styles, up due styles, keratin treatments, Corn roll braids, hair extensions (sew ins, quick weave, fillers), and eye brow arching. Please come share my hair world.
shakira@kuumbacollective.com
(612) 900-0553
-
We “Ignite Creativity & Build Communities”. We provide a range of consulting, professional development, and strategy services and solutions in the areas of Youth Development, Community Engagement, Mental Wellness, and Diversity, Equity & Inclusion. In addition, we accompany services with the necessary tools and expertise to help organizations and businesses facilitate change, achieve their vision, optimize performance / productivity, and grow.
We create intellectual and creative spaces and utilize innovative tools such as the Business Model Canvas, Human-Centered Design, Liberatory Design, and Community-Based Systems Dynamics to bring together marginalized communities and decision-makers to disrupt business as usual and redesign harmful and ineffective systems.
(314) 220-2388
-
ABNA is a full-service civil engineering firm offering services in Civil Engineering, Structural Engineering, Transportation Engineering, Environmental Engineering, Land Surveying, Construction Management, Materials Testing, Geotechnical Engineering, GIS/ Planning, MEP and Mass Transit.
ABNA's key markets include Aviation, Bridges, Design-Build, Education, Federal, Healthcare, Heavy Civil, Highways, Industrial Commercial, LEED/Sustainable Design, Mass Transit (Rail), Parks & Recreation, Roadways, Tunnels, Utilities and Water/Wastewater. ABNA’s offerings include an in-house American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) accredited and US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) validated materials lab.
"You ladies have done a Phenomenal Job with this. I am truly honored to be affiliated and the Heartland St. Louis Black Chamber is going to do everything we can to drive people to this event. You have definitely built something worth sharing, something empowering and something that should draw the people to well spent experience across several days. Congratulations to the success of shifting gears!”
“I'm writing to express my excitement about witnessing the progression of the conference and the marketing. I'm bummed that it won't be in person due to the uncertainties of COVID (I've been missing my STL folks lately), however, I still plan on purchasing and supporting virtually. I'm super proud of you and the MGC team!!!”
| 10:20AM |
>DEBRIEF OF PLENARY
>INTRODUCTION: BREAK-OUT SESSIONS
by Dr. Vetta Sanders - Thompson
(Jamala Rogers | Daffney Moore | Julius Powell)
| 10:30AM |
>BREAK-OUT SESSION #1
by Jamala Rogers
| 11:00AM |
>BREAK-OUT SESSION #2
by Daffney Moore
| 11:30AM |
>BREAK-OUT SESSION #3
by Julius Powell
| 12:00PM |
>DEBRIEF OF BREAK-OUT SESSIONS
by Dr. Vetta Sanders - Thompson
| 10:25AM |
>DEBRIEF OF PANEL DISCUSSION
>INTRODUCTION: BREAK-OUT SESSIONS
(Alyce Herndon | Neal Richardson)
by Dr. Vetta Sanders - Thompson
| 10:30AM |
>BREAK-OUT SESSION #1
by Alyce Herndon
| 11:00AM |
>BREAK-OUT SESSION #2
by Neal Richardson
| 11:30AM |
>DEBRIEF OF BREAK-OUT SESSIONS
by Dr. Vetta Sanders - Thompson (moderator)