Every year during Black History Month, the Coalition for Black Excellence hosts CBE Week – a premier event that unites industry leaders, Black professionals, and Black entrepreneurs. This empowering week draws talented Black professionals from across different industries by offering access to distinguished speakers and panelists, as well as a trusted environment to network, explore recruitment opportunities, celebrate excellence among our peers, and share innovative practices to advance the Black community.
Given COVID-19’s ongoing impact on the Black community and the forthcoming transition of power in Washington, D.C., CBE Week could not be timelier. Whether you are exploring new business ventures or looking to develop and ascend in your field, it helps to have a village behind you. Under the theme “Thrive Together,” CBE Week 2021 will offer four professional tracks that are essential to furthering the Black community while helping to manifest the true potential of your business and your talents.
COVID-19 has revealed countless health disparities in Black communities and elevated the significance of mental health and wellness. This track is focused on working collectively to improve mental health for Black professionals and promote wellness in the Black community.
WORKSHOPS
Feb. 25 (5:20 PM – 6:20 PM PST) Smart Genes: Understanding the Social, Legal and Ethical Considerations of Genetic Testing:
Awareness about genetic testing has increased as more Americans strive to make better choices regarding their health to avoid the potential risks of developing chronic genetic disorders. This session will offer guidance on best practices for interpreting genetic results so participants can make informed decisions about their personal health.
Speakers
Feb. 27 (12:30 – 1:30 PM PST) Nourishing Our Body and Mind: How Access to Healthy Food Options Can Impact the Well-Being of Black Communities:
Far too many Americans are forced to endure the discomfort of living in food deserts. This urgent matter inspired Michelle Obama to launch the initiative “Let’s Move” to promote healthy and affordable food options for communities with limited access to grocery stores. This session will examine the injustice of food deserts and the damaging impact that poor nutrition has on the health and well-being of Black communities.
Speakers
Feb. 27 (3:45 PM – 4:45 PM PST) Tuskegee to COVID-19: Unraveling the Distrust in Public Health to Understand Disparities and Shape Ongoing Recovery Efforts:
The COVID-19 pandemic has taken a major toll on Black communities and revealed countless racial and public health disparities. And present-day vaccination efforts are forced to confront decades of distrust stemming from the Tuskegee experiments. This session will examine the long history of cynicism and disparities that fuel COVID-19 and deepen its burden on Black communities.
Speakers
Considerable gaps between Black and white wealth continue to persist as minorities bear the brunt of job losses caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. This track is focused on eliminating the racial wealth gap and leaving a financial legacy to sustain and empower the Black community.
WORKSHOPS
Speakers
Feb. 27 (12:30 PM -1:30 PM PST) Don’t Go Chasing Fool’s Gold: Spotting the Difference Between “Get Rich Quick” and Long Term Wealth:
Building wealth requires patience and the ability to make disciplined decisions without being tempted prematurely by appealing get-rich-quick schemes. Simply put, what shines and glitters is not always gold. This session will highlight ways Black professionals can put aside their impulses and focus on conserving long-term goals.
Speakers
Feb. 27 (2:30 PM – 3:30 PM PST) Moving On Up, While Bringing your Community with You: Creating Transformative and Multi-generational Wealth:
Building wealth starts with being intentional about every transaction you make. This session will provide exclusive access to experts who have made money in a myriad of ways and altruistically used their wealth to uplift the plight of others.
Keynote Speakers
New innovations are created daily to improve the quality of life for hardworking Americans while failing to produce equitable outcomes for Black communities. This track is focused on harnessing the power of innovation to advance Black communities and exploring pathways to fund it.
WORKSHOPS
Speakers
Feb. 27 (12:30 PM – 1:30 PM PST) Smashing Idea:…But for Who? Strategies to get Companies to Consider a Diversity of Experiences in the Design Process:
While corporate America finally starts to grasp the economic benefits of diversity, far too many companies struggle to truly embrace diversity in facets outside of corporate and social responsibility efforts. This session will offer helpful strategies to encourage companies to pursue inclusive product designs and community-centered approaches to innovation.
Speakers
Feb. 27 (3:45 PM – 4:45 PM PST) The Digital Divide Reframed: From Remote Working to Virtual Learning, How to Optimize Productivity in Black Communities:
The COVID-19 pandemic exposed longstanding disparities within our nation’s digital divide as safety measures forced families and professionals to operate from home. This session will explore how the digital divide has focused a new lens on barriers that prevent Black communities from thriving during this greater reliance on digital resources.
Speakers
For the Black community to effectively wield political power, we must be concentrated and focused. This track is focused on maximizing and amplifying our political might to generate equitable policy outcomes for Black communities.
WORKSHOPS
Feb. 25 (5:20 pM – 6:20 PM PST) Reforming Fundamental Policies for a Brighter Golden State: Exploring Innovative Solutions to Long-lasting Challenges Impacting Black Communities in California:
Black communities across California face a wide range of challenges that require comprehensive solutions. This session will focus on exploring the root causes and intersection of these challenges. Moreover, you will engage notable experts on the latest innovative policy reforms to address these pressing matters and how you can take action.
Speakers
Feb 26 (5:30 PM – 6:30 PM PST) Building Black Political Power: Harnessing the Political Might of Black Professionals to Shape Democracy:
The path towards progress and Black empowerment relies heavily on our ability to effectively organize our political might. Georgia recently affirmed this notion after Black voters successfully mobilized to turn the state blue and shift the balance of power in Congress. This session will outline the fundamental elements of increasing Black voter participation and political engagement, and examine ways Black professionals can help shape the political landscape to reflect values and ideals important to our communities.
Speakers
Feb 27 (3:45 PM – 4:45 PM PST) Making of a More Perfect Union: The Importance of Engaging and Amplifying Black Voices to Influence Political Discourse:
Our democracy was not meant to be a spectator sport and Black communities have too much at stake to stand on the sidelines. The making of a more perfect union that can support the dreams and ambitions of all its citizens will require Black professionals to be actively engaged on policy matters and committed to expanding the Black electorate. This session will highlight ways Black professionals can maximize our capital to boost voter registration efforts, shape political discourse, and generate equitable policy outcomes.
Speakers
CBE facilitates the career growth of our membership by providing career fairs and other recruitment opportunities for our partners to engage with our members in various capacities. To register for our career fair during CBE Week 2021, please provide your registration email and upload your resume. We can’t wait for you to connect with our sponsoring companies!
Are you a Black service provider and/or Black business owner (51 percent or more of the stock or equity of the business is Black/African descent owned)? Learn how you can apply to supplier diversity programs at leading fortune 500 companies, and connect with representatives about opportunities to be hired in your industry category!
The CBE Pitch Competition began in February 2019 with an aim to minimize barriers for Black business owners and entrepreneurs and to create an ecosystem of support within the Black community.
Participants will be judged by a group of experts and CBE Summit participants. All participants will have the following opportunities:
CBE WEEK 2021