Latest news with #BrittneyAdams
NBC News
03-07-2025
- Business
- NBC News
Essence Fest leads a summer of events for Black entrepreneurs galvanized by economic uncertainty
In a year when the U.S. consumer has been weighed down by economic uncertainty, geopolitical tensions and inflation, Black entrepreneurs are eager to get to the Essence Festival of Culture to connect with their core customers. 'Essence Fest is like my Black Friday,' said Rochelle Ivory, owner of beauty brand On the Edge Baby Hair. 'It is my biggest sales weekend of the year. It's where I make all the capital I reinvest in my business.' Essence Fest kicks off on Friday, with roughly 500,000 people attending the event in New Orleans. It generates around $1 billion in economic activity, according to organizers. 'It's the cannot-miss event for us,' said Brittney Adams, owner of eyewear brand Focus and Frame. She said this year Essence Fest is even more important because she's seen Black consumers pulling back on spending. 'I would say the uncertainty of just the economic and political climate — that's giving people a little bit of hesitancy. Should they save the money? Should they buy the things they want?' Adams said. Ivory said her sales are down roughly 30% year over year, but she's hopeful people come to New Orleans looking to spend their time and money in the festival marketplace. 'This could make or break some of us,' she said. 'It's one of the few places where Black women, Black founders can really come together and be seen.' The Global Black Economic Forum aims to bring visibility and create solutions for Black business owners at Essence Fest. This year speakers include Supreme Court Justice Ketanji Brown-Jackson and Maryland Gov. Wes Moore. Last year, then-Vice President Kamala Harris spoke. 'We intentionally curate a space that allows leaders to preserve, build and reimagine how we can collectively increase economic opportunity to thrive,' said Alphonso David, CEO of the GBEF. Second half shift While many Black Americans express economic anxiety, the data is less clear. In the first quarter of this year, according to Federal Reserve data, the median weekly salary for Black workers was $1,192 a 5% increase year over year. Black unemployment stood at 6% in the most recent jobs report, a historically low number, but still higher than the national average of 4.2%. However, the data doesn't appear to fully reflect the sentiment for many Black Americans who are concerned about the political, cultural and economic shifts that have taken place since President Donald Trump's election. 'Never let a good crisis go to waste,' said John Hope Bryant, founder and CEO of Operation Hope, one of the nation's largest non-profits focused on financial education and empowerment. Bryant said he sees the concerns of Black Americans as an opportunity in the second half of 2025. 'This president has done something that hasn't been done since the 1960s, which is unify Black America. Wealth was created in the early 20 th century because Blacks were forced to work together. But instead of Black Lives Matter, let's make Black capitalist matter,' he said. Pastor Jamal Bryant of New Birth Missionary Baptist Church has galvanized Black consumers with an organized boycott of Target that began in February in response to the retailer's decision to roll back diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives. Bryant said he is in discussions with Target but is ready to organize a longer-term boycott if the retailer does not fulfill the promises it made to the Black community after the killing of George Floyd. He is urging Black Americans to use the estimated $2.1 trillion dollars in spending power forecast by 2026 to drive economic and political change. 'I would dare say that 'pocketbook protests' are a revolutionary activity,' said Bryant. 'I think we have to be very selective in light of the 'Big Ugly Bill' that just passed and how it will adversely affect our community,' he said, referencing Trump's megabill that passed through Congress this week. Celebrate and educate Invest Fest, an event that blends commerce and culture created by financially focused media company Earn Your Leisure kicks off in Atlanta in August. Co-CEOs Rashad Bilal and Troy Millings said the event will remain focused on financial literacy, but this year they are emphasizing the urgent need for education and entrepreneurship in technology. 'It's definitely now or never, the time is now,' said Bilal. 'The important thing this year is the way technology is going to disrupt a lot of career paths and the businesses, and we have to prepare for that, which is why AI is at the forefront of the conversation, crypto is at the forefront of the conversations, real estate as always and entrepreneurship,' said Millings. New this year is a partnership with venture capital firm Open Opportunity and a pitch competition where an entrepreneur can win $125,000 in funding to scale their business. 'We need more businesses that can reach $100 million valuation to a $1 billion valuation, get on the stock market. The pathway to that 9 times out of 10 is technology,' Bilal said. The National Black MBA Association Conference in Houston in September will have a similar tone. The event is known for its career fair where the nation's largest companies recruit as well as for networking and vibrant social activities. This year, interim CEO Orlando Ashford is working to establish artificial intelligence education and financial literacy as pillars of the event. 'Doing business as usual is not an option,' Ashford told CNBC. 'AI is something I literally refer to as a tsunami of change that's on its way. All of us will be forced to pivot in some ways as it relates to AI. Those of us that are out in front, that embrace it and leverage it actually can turn it into a tremendous and powerful opportunity. Those that wait and ignore it will be overtaken by the wave.'
CNBC
03-07-2025
- Business
- CNBC
Essence Fest leads a summer of events for Black entrepreneurs galvanized by economic uncertainty
In a year when the U.S. consumer has been weighed down by economic uncertainty, geopolitical tensions and inflation, Black entrepreneurs are eager to get to the Essence Festival of Culture to connect with their core customers. "Essence Fest is like my Black Friday," said Rochelle Ivory, owner of beauty brand On the Edge Baby Hair. "It is my biggest sales weekend of the year. It's where I make all the capital I reinvest in my business." Essence Fest kicks off on Friday, with roughly 500,000 people attending the event in New Orleans. It generates around $1 billion in economic activity, according to organizers. "It's the cannot-miss event for us," said Brittney Adams, owner of eyewear brand Focus and Frame. She said this year Essence Fest is even more important because she's seen Black consumers pulling back on spending. "I would say the uncertainty of just the economic and political climate — that's giving people a little bit of hesitancy. Should they save the money? Should they buy the things they want?" Adams said. Ivory said her sales are down roughly 30% year over year, but she's hopeful people come to New Orleans looking to spend their time and money in the festival marketplace. "This could make or break some of us," she said. "It's one of the few places where Black women, Black founders can really come together and be seen." The Global Black Economic Forum aims to bring visibility and create solutions for Black business owners at Essence Fest. This year speakers include Supreme Court Justice Ketanji Brown-Jackson and Maryland Gov. Wes Moore. Last year, then-Vice President Kamala Harris spoke. "We intentionally curate a space that allows leaders to preserve, build and reimagine how we can collectively increase economic opportunity to thrive," said Alphonso David, CEO of the GBEF. While many Black Americans express economic anxiety, the data is less clear. In the first quarter of this year, according to Federal Reserve data, the median weekly salary for Black workers was $1,192 a 5% increase year over year. Black unemployment stood at 6% in the most recent jobs report, a historically low number, but still higher than the national average of 4.2%. However, the data doesn't appear to fully reflect the sentiment for many Black Americans who are concerned about the political, cultural and economic shifts that have taken place since President Donald Trump's election. "Never let a good crisis go to waste," said John Hope Bryant, founder and CEO of Operation Hope, one of the nation's largest non-profits focused on financial education and empowerment. Bryant said he sees the concerns of Black Americans as an opportunity in the second half of 2025. "This president has done something that hasn't been done since the 1960s, which is unify Black America. Wealth was created in the early 20th century because Blacks were forced to work together. But instead of Black Lives Matter, let's make Black capitalist matter," he said. Pastor Jamal Bryant of New Birth Missionary Baptist Church has galvanized Black consumers with an organized boycott of Target that began in February in response to the retailer's decision to roll back diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives. Bryant said he is in discussions with Target but is ready to organize a longer-term boycott if the retailer does not fulfill the promises it made to the Black community after the killing of George Floyd. He is urging Black Americans to use the estimated $2.1 trillion dollars in spending power forecast by 2026 to drive economic and political change. "I would dare say that 'pocketbook protests' are a revolutionary activity," said Bryant. "I think we have to be very selective in light of the 'Big Ugly Bill' that just passed and how it will adversely affect our community," he said, referencing Trump's megabill that passed through Congress this week. Invest Fest, an event that blends commerce and culture created by financially focused media company Earn Your Leisure kicks off in Atlanta in August. Co-CEOs Rashad Bilal and Troy Millings said the event will remain focused on financial literacy, but this year they are emphasizing the urgent need for education and entrepreneurship in technology. "It's definitely now or never, the time is now," said Bilal. "The important thing this year is the way technology is going to disrupt a lot of career paths and the businesses, and we have to prepare for that, which is why AI is at the forefront of the conversation, crypto is at the forefront of the conversations, real estate as always and entrepreneurship," said Millings. New this year is a partnership with venture capital firm Open Opportunity and a pitch competition where an entrepreneur can win $125,000 in funding to scale their business. "We need more businesses that can reach $100 million valuation to a $1 billion valuation, get on the stock market. The pathway to that 9 times out of 10 is technology," Bilal said. The National Black MBA Association Conference in Houston in September will have a similar tone. The event is known for its career fair where the nation's largest companies recruit as well as for networking and vibrant social activities. This year, interim CEO Orlando Ashford is working to establish artificial intelligence education and financial literacy as pillars of the event. "Doing business as usual is not an option," Ashford told CNBC. "AI is something I literally refer to as a tsunami of change that's on its way. All of us will be forced to pivot in some ways as it relates to AI. Those of us that are out in front, that embrace it and leverage it actually can turn it into a tremendous and powerful opportunity. Those that wait and ignore it will be overtaken by the wave."
Business Journals
25-06-2025
- Business
- Business Journals
2025 40 Under 40 Awards
These men and women are leaders in a variety of sectors and industries with roles that range from some of Dallas-Fort Worth's largest companies to up-and-coming startups. The 40 Under 40 honorees will be recognized at our annual awards dinner on June 25, 2025. The honorees will also be featured in our digital and print publication. 2025 Honorees Brittney Adams, Founder & CEO, Focus & Frame Eyewear Catherine Brizo Saravia, BIM Specialist, AECOM Hunt Madison Broyles, Executive Vice President, Astra Wealth Management Matt Burke, President & COO, Agora Data Eduardo Castaneda, Senior Associate, Arcadis Jovelyn Castellanos, Director of Strategic Initiatives and Public Affairs, Health Wildcatters Faizan Dolani, CEO and Owner of Prime Limo, Prime Limo & Car Service Matt Falkin, Vice President, CAF Companies Nida Fatima, CEO & Chairman, Filos Health Laboratory Inc Susan Goodvin, Co-Founder & COO, Dreamers of Day Daniel Gresham, President, Fortify Management Group Melanie Hanna, Associate Partner and Director of Interior Design, BKV Group Krista Hanvey, Co-Partner in Charge of the Dallas Office and Co-Chair of the Executive Compensation and Employee Benefits Practice Group, Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP Heather Harrington, Chief Executive Officer + Founder, LevelUp Digital Solutions Keyavash Hemyari, Founder and CEO, Saltu Xavier Henderson, Co-founder & Chief Development Officer, For Oak Cliff Anthony Hill, Head of Enterprise Restaurants | Uber Advertising, Uber Technologies, Inc. Adam Hunter, Major Gift Officer, Broadway Dallas Muhammad Ikramullah, Senior Mechanical Engineer, Compass Datacenters Abriell Jackson, Managing Director of Investor Relations, American Airlines Ayanna Jackson, Program Manager, Catch Up & Read Clemente Jaquez, Partner and Design Director, MODUS Architecture Mariama Maiga, Chief Financial and Operating Officer, Dallas Children's Advocacy Center (DCAC) Ian Maltz, Vice President of Corporate Development, Ennis Steel Industries, Inc. Nick Marino Jr., Chief Executive Officer, Tango Charities | Center for Business Impact Director, Communities Foundation of Texas Erica Mulder, Assistant Vice President Community & Government Relations, DFW Airport Mason Nelson, Superintendent, Lee Lewis Construction, Inc. Jessica Paris, Owner, Saga Media Photography Jonathan Pride, Vice President of Field Operations- New and Emerging Markets, NPower Texas Cristal Retana Lule, Vice President, Community Relations, Children's Health Staci Schofield, Account Executive, Lamar Advertising Company Khushbu Shaikh, Technical Lead, Principal Technical Account Manager, Twilio David Silva, Partner, Sidley Austin LLP Lauren Smith, Executive Director, Hugs Cafe, inc. Lubbock Smith, Senior Vice President - Director of Community Development and Vista Outreach, Vista Bank Scottie Smith, CEO and Managing Partner, Shekinah Real Estate Holdings Tyler Stevenson, Vice President, Project Executive, Clune Construction Caleb Thomas, Assistant Rodeo Director, Mesquite Championship Rodeo Ava Thompson, Chief of Staff, Ziosk Elyse Tucker, Chief Operations Officer, JHET Architects #DBJEvent X: @DallasBizNews Instagram: @DallasBizJournal Registration closes on Wednesday, June 18 at 5:00 p.m. Tickets must be transferred into guest's names by Wednesday, June 18 at 5:00 p.m. To transfer tickets to guests: Go to login with your email address and the password you entered during registration. Once logged in, select "My Tickets" and select each ticket to transfer to your guests. Tickets are non-refundable, but can be transferred to another guest by 6/18. For questions about the event or registration, please contact DBJ's Events Coordinator, Tiereny White at twhite@ Honorees are chosen through an independent editorial review, with selections based entirely on their merits, achievements and contributions to their organizations and local community. Commercial interests with the Business Journal are not considered. Review panels may be comprised entirely of Business Journal leadership, or in combination with outside judges determined by the news department. The Business Journal's editorial leadership has final say and approval for all awards and honorees.
