Our 2025
Speakers
Our lineup of speakers features some of the most respected and influential figures in business, politics, academia, and more. These leaders are pioneers in their respective fields and are joining us to share their knowledge, experiences, and insights. From groundbreaking entrepreneurs to visionary leaders, our speakers are here to inspire and empower you. Stay tuned for announcements on our speaker lineup and prepare to be inspired.
Dr. Cornel West
Scholar, Theologian, Advocate
Dr. Cornel West, affectionately known to many as Brother West, is the Dietrich Bonhoeffer Chair at Union Theological Seminary. Dr. West teaches on the works of Dietrich Bonhoeffer, as well as courses in Philosophy of Religion, African American Critical Thought, and a wide range of subjects -- including but by no means limited to, the classics, philosophy, politics, cultural theory, literature, and music. He has a passion to communicate to a vast variety of publics in order to keep alive the legacy of Martin Luther King, Jr. – a legacy of telling the truth and bearing witness to love and justice.
Dr. West is the former Professor of the Practice of Public Philosophy at Harvard University and Professor Emeritus at Princeton University. Cornel West graduated Magna Cum Laude from Harvard in three years and obtained his M.A. and Ph.D. in Philosophy at Princeton. He has written 20 books and has edited 13. He is best known for his classics, Race Matters and Democracy Matters, and for his memoir, Brother West: Living and Loving Out Loud. His most recent book, Black Prophetic Fire, offers an unflinching look at nineteenth and twentieth-century African American leaders and their visionary legacies.
Dr. West has partnered with MasterClass.com to provide teachings on several influential courses including a class with Pharrell Williams on Empathy, MasterClass’s first-ever multi-instructor class on Black History, Black Freedom & Black Love, as well as Dr. West’s standalone class on Philosophy. Visit www.cornelwest.com and click the MasterClass banner to learn more.
Dr. Edwin Moses
Olympic and World Champion Athlete, Philanthropist, Businessman
Dr. Edwin Moses, a distinguished alumnus of the Morehouse College class of 1978, is a celebrated figure in the world of athletics and sports integrity. A two-time Olympic gold medalist, Moses dominated the 400m hurdles, setting world records that stood as the pinnacle of the sport. Beyond his athletic prowess, he has made significant contributions to the fight against performance-enhancing drugs as the Chairman Emeritus of the United States Anti-Doping Agency (USADA). His involvement extended internationally as a former member of the Executive and Education Committees of the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA). Dr. Moses also served as the Chairman of the Laureus World Sports Academy, fostering global sports development and community enrichment through sports. His leadership and integrity were recognized in 1984 when he was honored as the co-Sportsman of the Year by Sports Illustrated, underscoring his impact both on and off the track.
Rashaun Williams
Venture Capitalist, Financial Literacy Advocate, Atlanta Falcons Limited Partner
Rashaun Williams is a trailblazing investor, entrepreneur, and financial literacy advocate with a proven track record in venture capital. A guest Shark on ABC’s Shark Tank and a limited partner of the Atlanta Falcons, he has made over 170 investments, leading to 50+ successful exits. As the founder of Value Investment Group and a general partner in the MVP All-Star Fund, he plays a pivotal role in funding emerging and established ventures.
Raised on the South Side of Chicago, Rashaun overcame poverty, crime, and instability to graduate top of his class at Morehouse College, forging a career at Goldman Sachs, Deutsche Bank, and Wachovia Securities before transitioning into private equity. In 2007, he launched Dixsville Partners, a private equity fund dedicated to infrastructure and mineral investments across West Africa, underscoring his commitment to global economic development and high-impact projects As a co-founder of Queensbridge Venture Partners, Rashaun was an early backer of transformative companies like Robinhood, Coinbase, Casper, Ring, PillPack, Lyft and Dropbox. In 2018, Black Enterprise named him Investor of the Year for his impact on the VC industry.
Beyond investing, Rashaun is equally passionate about community empowerment and financial literacy. In 2001, he founded the Kemet Institute, a nonprofit organization committed to delivering free financial literacy, entrepreneurship, and life skills education to underserved communities and schools. His mission to bridge the knowledge gap continued with the founding of Antimatter Business Partners in 2023, designed to help professional athletes and entertainers establish and operate their private equity family offices.
An active leader and listener in his community, Rashaun currently serves on the Board of Directors for The Atlanta Opera. As a graduate of Morehouse College, he is also a dedicated member of Kappa Alpha Psi, Inc., embodying both academic excellence and community leadership.
Derek Watkins
Strategist, Producer, Artist, Author
Derek Watkins is the Chief Executive and Creative Director of a multi-vertical portfolio of ventures operating at the intersection of culture, technology, and impact. A Grammy-nominated producer, award-winning television producer and host, and New York Times best-selling author, Watkins has built and advised businesses in STEM + Arts education, workforce development, fashion, sustainable energy, and personal care. His leadership has contributed to strategic partnerships, product launches, and platforms reaching millions globally.
He currently oversees a network of tech-focused companies that provide capital access, leadership coaching, and strategic guidance to early-stage founders. Several companies within his advisory portfolio have been recognized by the Obama & Biden White House and featured in Forbes 30 Under 30, Entrepreneur Magazine, and the Wall Street Journal, securing multimillion-dollar institutional investments.
Watkins served as an Ambassador to the U.S. Department of Energy’s Minorities in Energy Initiative from 2015 to 2018, helping advance equitable participation in clean energy innovation. He has mentored aspiring media professionals through the Chevrolet Discover the Unexpected Fellowship and has advised national STEM education programs.
A graduate of Morehouse College with a degree in Biology, Watkins sits on the board of the Joseph E. Lowery Institute and has been a longtime advocate of President Obama’s White House Fatherhood Initiative. Widely recognized for his contributions to culture and innovation, Watkins was named The Prince of Style and The First Gentleman of Hip Hop by GQ Magazine.
He has delivered keynote lectures at over 100 universities—including Harvard, Morehouse, Spelman, UPenn, and LSU—and led signature events such as the HBCU Power Awards and the UNCF Empower Me Tour.
Watkins resides in Georgia with his wife, Faune, and their two children.
Dwight Burrow
Wealth Management Leader, Business Strategist
Dwight Roosevelt Burrows is the Vice President, Private Banking and Managing Director, RBC FINCO with responsibility for RBC’s Private Banking & FINCO operations in The Bahamas. He also serves as Executive Director for the Royal Bank of Canada Trust Company (Bahamas) Ltd. and Senior Officer II for RBC Royal Bank (Bahamas) Ltd.
Prior to joining RBC, Dwight was the CEO and Managing Director for Scotiabank & Trust Cayman Limited. During this stint, he served as Chairman of the board for Scotiabank Cayman and Scotiabank BVI and served as a director for more than ten (10) legal entities across Cayman Islands, BVI, Trinidad and Asia. He has held senior positions in retail banking, business banking, and wealth management in The Bahamas and in the Cayman Islands. Dwight is a past President of the Cayman Islands Bankers’ Association (CIBA) and also served as Vice President in 2018-2019.
Dwight has been a member of Toastmasters International Club 1600 (First Bahamas Branch) since March 1999 and served in several leadership roles including Sergeant at Arms, Vice President Public Relations, Vice President Education and President. He served as the 38th President of Club 1600 (2002) and also served as Area Governor and Assistance Division Governor for Division I. He’s a past President of the Advanced Club and the First Exuma Branch Club 8123 where he achieved Club of the Year across the entire district in 2006 (including Florida).
Dwight is presently the Treasurer of the Long Islanders Association and a director on the association’s Board of Directors. He also serves as a member of the Antique Auto Club of the Bahamas and owner of Burrows Retail Liquor, Restaurant and Bar, Deadman’s Cay Long Island.
Dwight has a passion for real estate and enjoys boating, classic car restoration, and downtime with friends and family. He is the product of a traditional Long Island family, and his lifelong mentors and greatest supporters are his parents John Roosevelt and Maria Burrows. He’s the father of four daughters, Mona, Gayle, Ari & Deanne Burrows.
Gerold Hector
Senior Vice President Administration & Finance, UCF, Author
Gerald L. Hector, CPA is a distinguished leader in higher education administration, currently serving as Senior Vice President for Administration and Finance at the University of Central Florida. With over 24 years of experience, he has held similar leadership roles at Morehouse College, Cornell University, Ithaca College, and Johnson C. Smith University, overseeing key areas such as finance, operations, risk management, campus safety, compliance, and public-private partnerships.
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Recognized for his collaborative and strategic leadership, Gerald has been instrumental in guiding institutions through financial challenges while championing diversity, equity, and inclusion—an advocacy role he embraced amid national racial tensions on college campuses in 2015. He is a sought-after speaker, appearing on national webinars and media platforms to highlight the economic and institutional importance of inclusivity in higher education.
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A published author, Gerald’s landmark white paper, Navigating the New Normal: Financial Imperatives for MSI Effectiveness and Avoiding Financial Exigency, remains a key resource for institutional leaders. His book, It’s Easy Son, Quit Making Things Difficult, chronicles his journey from Kingston, Jamaica, to success in finance and academia, inspiring a podcast of the same name that features global thought leaders.
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An honors graduate of Howard University with a degree in Accounting, he also holds a master’s degree in Christian Thought from Gordon Conwell Theological Seminary, where he serves as Board Treasurer. Beyond his professional work, Gerald is an avid reader, golfer, and writer, currently working on his second book exploring the dynamics of Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) and Predominantly White Institutions (PWIs).
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Gerald is married to his college sweetheart, Sharon-Kaye, and they share three accomplished children. His guiding philosophy, “We can’t fix what we won’t face,” reflects his dedication to financial stewardship, institutional excellence, and cultural transformation in higher education.
DeMario "Raz B" Thornton
Muscian, Actor, Creator
De’Mario Monte Thornton, professionally known as Raz B, is an American singer, actor, and entrepreneur, born on June 13, 1985, in Cleveland, Ohio. He first gained prominence as a founding member of the R&B group B2K, which achieved significant success in the early 2000s with chart-topping albums and the hit film “You Got Served” (2004).
Following B2K’s initial disbandment, Raz B embarked on a solo career, releasing singles such as “Fire” in 2007 and the mixtape “Boy 2 King” in 2010. He also expanded his career internationally, performing extensively in China.
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In 2019, B2K reunited for “The Millennium Tour,” marking their first performances together in 15 years. The tour spanned over 25 cities and grossed $28 million, reaffirming the group’s enduring popularity. Beyond music, Raz B has pursued acting, with roles in films such as “Pieces of a Dream” (2005) and television appearances, including a role in “Bad Boys” (2023).
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In 2023, Raz B founded B2K Cares, a nonprofit organization dedicated to transforming underserved communities by providing access to coding, media training, and arts education. Through B2K Cares, he aims to empower youth with the skills and opportunities necessary to succeed in the digital age. The organization has partnered with various community groups and educational institutions to deliver workshops and programs that inspire creativity and technical proficiency. As of 2026, Raz B continues to lead B2K Cares, expanding its reach and impact across the United States. His commitment to community advocacy and mental health awareness remains a cornerstone of his mission, reflecting his dedication to fostering positive change both within and beyond the entertainment industry.
Raz B remains active in the entertainment industry, focusing on music, acting, and entrepreneurial projects, while also engaging with his fans through social media platforms, sharing insights into his personal growth and professional endeavors. In his personal life, Raz B welcomed his first child, a son named Versai Carter Thornton, on October 10, 2024. He expressed profound gratitude for this new chapter, emphasizing the restoration of his personal relationships and mental health.
Jabari Hayes
Entrepreneur, Author, Public Speaker
Jabari Hayes Sr. is a survivor, entrepreneur, and advocate for second chances. A former Black Mafia Family (BMF) cocaine trafficker and reformed federal ex-offender, he overcame the harsh realities of the 1980s crack epidemic, emerging as a testament to resilience and redemption.
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Raised in the Gowanus Projects of Brooklyn, Jabari defied the odds, escaping a troubled environment to become an All-American track athlete. He graduated from Morehouse College in 1999, leveraging his sharp business acumen—though initially in the wrong direction, orchestrating the transport of thousands of kilos through his fleet of limousines.
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Determined to rewrite his narrative, Jabari transformed his life after incarceration. Today, he is a devoted husband, a father who secured custody of his son—a Morehouse Dean’s List student—and a successful entrepreneur. He owns multiple homes, operates a thriving collision center in Atlanta, Georgia, and is the creator and producer of Miles in the Life: The Story of a BMF Drug Trafficker, a world-class documentary streaming on Amazon Prime, TubiTV, and YouTube.
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Committed to breaking the cycle of recidivism, Jabari defied America’s 68% recidivism rate, making a life-altering decision while incarcerated: he would never return. Through the power of mindful, positive thinking and surrounding himself with safe people, places, and opportunities, he has built a life reflective of the American Dream.
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Today, Jabari’s journey positions him as a credible messenger, using his lived experience to inspire and mentor those currently incarcerated. Through his story, he provides hope and guidance to individuals striving to reclaim their freedom and build a better future.
