Every year, the Black Chamber of Commerce Inland Empire hosts a youth business conference where youth from across Southern California engage in meaningful business workshops and activities, preparing and educating them on entrepreneurship. The purpose of the conference is to expose youth to entrepreneurship. With a panel of judges, guest speakers, and entrepreneurs, the youth are able to explore the field of business and gain insight on what it takes to “Lead the Pack.”

 

 

Theme: Leading the Pack

Date: June 25th, 2018

Time: 10:00am – 5:00pm (Check-in begins at 9:00am)

Location: San Bernardino Valley College: Business Building Room 100 (B-100)

Expected number of participants: 100-150

Featuring:

Taj Eldridge

Taj Ahmad Eldridge serves as the Senior Investment Director for the Los Angeles Cleantech Incubator (LACI). Previously, Taj was the Accelerator Director for ExCITE Riverside and Entrepreneur in Residence at UC Riverside. In the past, Taj served as an investor in a number of startups – some that have been acquired (& some that failed) but learning from all. Taj began his career with UBS Investment Bank and Wells Fargo Bank. Taj is a graduate of Texas A&M University, Pepperdine University, and Claremont Graduate University. Taj also studied at the Universidad do Porto (Portugal), Universidad Adolfo Ibanez (Chile) & Hong Kong University of Science & Technology.

Monica Stockhausen

Born in Southern California but bred by her dynamic life experiences, Monica Stockhausen prides herself on being professional, ambitious and community-oriented. NerdyGirlsRock is Monica’s passion project that speaks to closing the gender pay gap. She created an online resource and community designed to inspire and empower intellectual “nerdy” women to be confident, skillful and economically independent. Currently, Monica has been named one of California’s 47th District 30 most influential people under 30. She is a prolific public speaker, Founder of NerdyGirlsRock and Professor of Business at Chaffey College in Rancho Cucamonga, CA.

Paul Francis

Paul Francis is the CEO Co-founder of KIGT, Inc. an Original Equipment Manufacturer of Smart Charge Stations for Electric Vehicles. Before starting KIGT Mr. Francis was a scholarship student-athlete at Sonoma State University. Since founding KIGT in 2009 Paul Francis has conducted multiple micro-grid and Electric Vehicle pilot projects, and off-grid Electric Vehicle Charging demonstrations with municipals, universities, and the Southern California Ports.

Brittney & Suzie

Located in Riverside, CA Grant and Labels was founded in 2016 with a focus on retail products & social media growth in industries such as Vape and Beauty. As a creative group of brand experienced individuals with beliefs in building brands, engaging consumers and driving social media growth. Our team builds the roadmap tapping into your brand’s persona,  goals, demographics, and products uniqueness. No matter your industry, product or service – we help build your brand.

Bridgett Myrell

Bridgett is a philanthropist, author, engineer and financial guru. Although she has spent most of her professional career working as a Silicon Valley Executive, Bridgett has always had a passion for empowering women and youth! She believes that exposure increases the vitality of what you dream. Bridgett is also a motivational speaker and published author of two zesty children’s books including Gracie Loves Christmas. She was recently featured in the annual Pasadena Magazine Top Women in Business as an expert on finance.

Whitley Porter

Whitley Porter is a daughter, friend, ordained minister, life coach, and entrepreneur. Whitley is an activist for inspiration. She has been featured as a speaker for conferences, podcasts, and events within the area. Whitley currently resides in the Inland Empire where she is often found inspiring women and people at large to DREAM OUT LOUD! She launched her production company (Whitley Porter Productions) and just recently had her first entertainment industry conference!

Afarah Board

She is the leader of two small businesses: 1) Owner and Senior Consultant of Across The Board Group, a professional consulting practice; and 2) President, CEO, and co-founder of Youth Essential Skills (YES) a youth development non-profit organization. Active in the community for many years, Afarah has served as the Western Regional Director of the American Association of Blacks in Energy (AABE), was awarded the NAACP Corporate Award in Pasadena and she is a co-founder of SCE’s Black History Month celebration, “Connecting the Evolution of Electricity to Black History.”

Liza Sosa

Liza Sosa is the owner and President for Skrocket, a technology company that focuses on mobile applications, customized software development, websites, social media, and SEO services. In addition, Liza Sosa is also the head of Business development for Elogs Technology, currently located in Riverside, CA. Assisting other companies with business growth and consulting services has become a passion for her. Liza Sosa received her bachelor’s degree in both Sports Medicine and English Literature from California State University Fullerton and furthered her education with a masters degree. Currently, Liza Sosa also serves as Secretary for the Greater Riverside Hispanic Chamber of Commerce and as one of the Associate Directors for the Inland Empire Region for the California Hispanic Chambers of Commerce.

Winter Minisee

Winter BreeAnne Minisee is a senior at ENCORE High School for Performing Arts and is a National Student Leader for Women’s March Youth EMPOWER, the youth affiliate of Women’s March. In this role, Winter was part of a team that spearheaded the historic #ENOUGH National Student Walkouts on March 14, 2018, in response to the Parkland shooting. An estimated 2 million students participated in the #ENOUGH student walkouts across all 50 states, making it one of the largest student walkouts in U.S. history. Winter is also the founder of Black Is Lit. B.I.L., an organization devoted to creating space for marginalized youth.

SuperMario McKinley

He began his career as an Herbalife Distributor in 2012 with the mission of bringing health and nutrition to the Inland Empire. He became a President’s Team member in two years. This is a recognition of building his distribution network to a size that qualifies him in the top less than 1% in the world of the over $7 billion dollar company. A lifetime of mistakes and a journey for truth has led Mario to be jailed and convicted of a felony. For the past 6 years, he has lived in the moniker “Super” by producing results, being accountable, and leading in a way that fervently offers him a semblance of redemption while providing others with a symbol of hope.

Bernard Holmes Jr

Bernard owns a dance studio located in San Bernardino California, teaching youth Hip Hop dance, and musical theatre. Bernard’s plan is to fully expand to an art academy where he can give youth the opportunity to express themselves through dance, music, art, and acting. Bernard’s passion is working with the youth and has 15 plus years working with youth aging from 5 years to 18 years old. Bernard’s ultimate goal is to finally get that breakthrough as an actor because he knows he has so much to offer in the acting world. Until the time comes, Bernard will continue to look for casting calls for acting roles and other opportunities pertaining to dancing and acting.

Sahsha Campbell

Sahsha Campbell-Garbutt is an award-winning Author, Plant-Based Nutrition Guide, and Herbal Mixologist. She is Founder of Life and Light Wellness LLC, a firm that offers holistic lifestyle coaching, plant-based education (including how to make the transition into a plant-based lifestyle) and herbal detoxification guidance and products. Sasha’s latest endeavor is a series of interactive workshops called Redesign Your D.N.A Through A Plant-Based Lifestyle™ which explores the multitude of ways you can reset certain aspects of your DNA through mental and physical detoxification, whole food, plant-based diet, and physical and mental exercise.

Patrick Person

Pat Person is a co-founder of Kids That Code, Inc.  The company seeks to inspire young children to pursue a career in technology by teaching them computer programming, game development, electronics and much more. Kids That Code started as a student class project at Cal State San Bernardino. Mr. Person was inspired at the time by his four-year-old son, Logan, who told his dad he wanted to be a computer programmer.  Pat graduated from CSUSB with two MBA degrees in both Marketing and Entrepreneurship. Mr. Person is host of a groundbreaking kids technology show being developed with PBS station KVCR called “TechXploration with Mista Pat”.

Join us on June 25th for our 2018 Youth Business Conference!

For sponsorship or registration inquiries, please email 2018ybc@gmail.com.

Sponsors