
Every year, many Black business conferences are held across the country that specifically cater to established or aspiring African American business owners, professionals, authors, bloggers, and more. Literally thousands of people travel to network and do business at such events. These events are usually held in cities like Atlanta, Chicago, and New York, and typically include extensive training workshops, powerful speeches, power networking sessions, grand hall expos, and more.
Here are the best annual African American business conferences, summits, workshops, and more: |
FEBRUARY/MARCH: |
Black Enterprise Women of Power Summit
This four-day Black business conference caters to executive women of color, and offers a great opportunity to connect with other powerful women, develop professional strategies, and get expert advice from today’s leading female executives and decision makers. Hosted by Black Enterprise Magazine, the summit is usually headlined by one or more celebrity speakers and usually has a concert from a celebrity singer.
Usually held in February/ March; Location varies.
BlackEnterprise.com/wps
APRIL: |
Black Writers on Tour
This conference aims to give broad public exposure to authors and writers; increase book sales; motivate, and develop aspiring new writers among children and adults; expose parents and educators to materials and programs for reading improvement; provide an outreach platform for publishers and information providers to the buying public, and the literary industry.
Usually held in April in Los Angeles, California.
BlackWritersonTour.com
National Alliance of Market Developers (NAMD) Conference
The mission of this conference is to develop and foster business growth for African-Americans and other ethnic groups by serving as a conduit for learning, teaching and networking for success. They seek to cultivate those aspects of the Black experience that can produce results for both our constituency, community and institutions, both private and public.
Usually held in April; Location varies.
NAMDntl.org
National Black Writers Conference
This event provides writers, scholars, literary professionals, students, and the general public with a forum for engaging in dynamic and spirited conversations, panel discussions, readings, workshops, and performances on themes related to migration, cultural memory, popular culture, and the natural environment.
Usually held in April; Location varies.
NationalBlackWritersConference.org
MAY: |
African American Pavilion at Book Expo America
As a part of BookExpo America, this event is one of the largest book trade exhibits in the world provides independent African American book publishers, self publishers, authors, African American imprints at major publishing houses, distributors, literary agents, publicists, librarians, and bookstore owners with exposure to more than 80,000 book buyers and booksellers from across the world.
Usually held in May in Los Angeles or New York City.
AfricanAmericanPavilion.com
Black Enterprise Entrepreneurs Conference
As the country's premier Black business conference and networking event for African American entrepreneurs, corporate executives, and professionals, The Black Enterprise Entrepreneurs Conference is the only venue where leaders of the nation's largest black-owned businesses gather at one place, one time, and with one purpose.
Usually held in May; Location varies.
BlackEnterprise.com/ec
JUNE: |
Blogging While Brown Conference
This conference is the premier blogging conference dedicated to education, collaboration, and innovation among bloggers of color. The conference brings Black social media experts, speakers, and independent content creators together to educate, inspire, and expand their influence in social media and technology. Along with panel discussions, keynotes, and networking opportunities this 2 day event also includes blogger training workshops.
Usually held in June; Location varies.
BloggingWhileBrown.com
FraserNet Power Networking Conference
FraserNet is a global leadership network of 60,000 Black professionals, business owners, and community leaders. At their annual conference, they focused on creating economic development through education, training and empowerment for Black people. They train, educate and equip Black people with new skills, new thinking and new approaches for personal, professional and financial success in the 21st century.
Usually held in June; Location varies.
FraserNet.com
MFHA's Cultural Intelligence Conference
MFHA (Multicultural Foodservice and Hospitality Alliance) is a non-profit organization in the food and hospitality industry that educates, advocates for and connects its members with opportunities to build their cultural intelligence in order to effectively engage multicultural employees, customers and communities. Their annual "cultural intelligence" conference is a learning event that is designed to equip foodservice, lodging and retail operators with the cultural intelligence knowledge, skills and insights needed to increase business results with multicultural teams.
Usually held in June; Location varies.
MFHA.net
JULY: |
Indiana Black Expo Business Conference
This conference is an exciting, jam-packed 4-day conference of workshops, symposiums, receptions and networking opportunities held during the first week of IBE's Summer Celebration. The goal is to provide a venue to empower minority- and women-owned business owners with information and resources that assist them in achieving financial stability and sustainability for their companies.
Usually held in July in Indianapolis, Indiana.
IBEonline.com/ibebbc/
National Black Chamber of Commerce Annual Convention
The National Black Chamber of Commerce® is dedicated to economically empowering and sustaining African American communities through entrepreneurship and capitalistic activity within the United States and via interaction with the Black Diaspora. The annual convention is a networking event for professionals and entrepreneurs, and usually features a reception with food and entertainment.
Usually held in July; Location varies.
NBCCconvention.org
AUGUST: |
Black Writers Reunion and Conference
This conference is well known for its engaging workshop presenters, outstanding topics, inspirational ambience, and professional organization. Their mission is to educate, support, and motivate aspiring, emerging, and published writers. They promote and encourage artistic expression and growth through skill development in the art, craft, and business of creative writing in fiction, nonfiction, poetry, and drama as well as business and career endeavors in professional writing.
Usually held in August; Location varies.
BlackWriters.org
ColorComm Conference
C2 (short for ColorComm Conference) is the ultimate business conference for women of color in communications. Innovative programs, presented by the industry's top practitioners and thought leaders, will address key issues and predict future trends. Unlike many professional conferences with thousands in attendance, C2 is an intimate group of approximately 300 multicultural, professional women. That means everyone can identify with common experiences and challenges and everyone is accessible. With access comes action, the kind of action you need to advance your career, build your business and enhance your personal development.
Usually held in August; Location varies.
ColorCommConference.com
Invest Fest
A comprehensive and informative event that covers a wide range of important topics in the world of finance and business. Speakers provide insight into government money and taxes, as well as the emerging world of Cryptocurrency. Discussions on stocks, real estate, insurance, and estate planning are also on the agenda, with experts sharing their knowledge on these important aspects of financial planning with valuable insight into how to grow and promote their businesses.
Usually held in August; Atlanta, Georgia.
InvestFest.com
SEPTEMBER: |
National Black MBA Association Conference
This Black business conference is for African Americans who have earned or would like to earn their MBA. The event is dedicated to developing partnerships that result in the creation of intellectual and economic wealth in the black community. It aims to increase awareness and facilite access to graduate management education programs and career opportunities in management fields.
Usually held in September; Location varies.
NBMBAA.org/conference/
OCTOBER: |
National Black Book Festival
This annual event attracts a wide array of Black authors, publishers, book clubs, libraries and individual readers from the Southwest U.S. and nationwide. There are workshops, powerful speeches, networking opportunities, and even an author's expo.
Usually held in October in Houston, Texas.
NationalBlackBookFestival.com
Black Enterprise Techconnext
Hosted by Black Enterprise magazine, this event is for tech entrepreneurs and enthusiasts. The goal is to bring Black tech professionals together to learn from and inspire one another. The event addresses topics such as podcasting, social media, cryptocurrency, digital publishing and more. There is also an annual Black Tech Awards to recognize the exceptional achievements and contributions of tech industry leaders, disruptors, and game-changers.
Usually held in October; Usually held in the San Francisco bay area.
BlackEnterprise.com/techconnext/
NOVEMBER: |
AfroTech
A groundbreaking, revolutionary 2-day conference for Black techies, startups and entrepreneurs! Attendees usually include about 3,000+ founders, entrepreneurs, and engineers from across the country for a 360-degree look at how culture and tech runs the world.
Usually held in November in San Francisco, California.
Afrotech.com
MogulCon
This an upscale and exclusive experience that is designed to engage, educate, encourage, and empower women who are interested in building their empire as apart of the entrepreneurial community.
Usually held in November in Atlanta, Georgia.
MogulCon.com
MULTIPLE DATES: |
Traffic Sales & Profit (TSP)
A community of ambitious people with a shared passion for Black empowerment through entrepreneurship. Their live events and signature programs train 40,000+ Black entrepreneurs across the globe on proven strategies and sustainable systems that help their businesses reach their first six-figures, seven-figures, and beyond.
Usually held in June and January in Atlanta, Georgia.
TrafficSalesandProfit.com