The 6th Annual HBCU+ Entrepreneurship Conference
Entrepreneurship and AI for the Future Economy. Ignite your vision, connect with trailblazers, and celebrate HBCU excellence.
Oct 2, 2026
8 AM – 6 PM
The Martin Luther King, Jr. Center
In-Person + Online
Artificial intelligence is transforming every industry, creating unprecedented opportunities for innovation, entrepreneurship, and workforce development. The 6th Annual HBCU+ Entrepreneurship Conference brings together students, faculty, researchers, industry leaders, investors, and entrepreneurship centers to explore how emerging technologies are shaping the future economy.
Designed to inspire action and spark collaboration, the conference features engaging keynotes, interactive workshops, startup showcases, research presentations, and networking that equips participants to thrive in an innovation-driven world.
This isn’t just a conference — it’s a celebration of HBCU excellence, collaboration, and bold innovation.
From HBCUs, industry, and academia nationwide
Supported through coaching and development
Distributed through pitch competitions and awards
Featured Panels & Workshops
Building Ventures, Careers, and Economic Opportunity
Empowering students from every discipline to develop entrepreneurial mindsets, leverage AI and emerging technologies, launch innovative ventures, and prepare for success in the future economy.
Teaching, Research, Commercialization, and Venture Creation
Showcasing how faculty integrate entrepreneurship and AI into teaching, advance interdisciplinary research, and translate discoveries into market-ready innovations.
Shaping the Future Workforce and Innovation Economy
Bringing together corporate, nonprofit, government, and investment partners to explore how collaboration with HBCUs accelerates innovation and strengthens talent pipelines.
Building Innovation Ecosystems and Driving Regional Impact
Highlighting the critical role entrepreneurship centers play in cultivating talent, supporting venture creation, and driving sustainable economic growth.
Executives and innovators from deep tech, AI, and emerging technology sectors, seeking talent, partnerships, and market insights.
Faculty, researchers, and administrators focused on entrepreneurship education, tech commercialization, and curriculum design.
The next generation of founders and innovators, eager to learn, network, and pitch their groundbreaking ideas.
Venture capitalists, angel investors, and strategic partners looking to fund and collaborate with promising ventures.
Past Speakers
Investor on Shark Tank, Founder of FUBU
CEO of Rap Snacks, Music Executive
Media Personality & Philanthropist
Founder & CEO, Operation Hope
BSU Student, Emmy Award-Winning Host
Founder & CEO of HBCU Buzz
Entrepreneur, Investor, Philanthropist
Chairman & CEO, Ariel Investments
CEO of Kickstarter
The HBCU+ Entrepreneurship Conference is dedicated to strengthening a robust academic entrepreneurial ecosystem, emphasizing culturally competent programming. Attendees gain the tools, networks, and knowledge to develop the entrepreneurial mindset and leadership skills essential for creating lasting legacies.
Together, we will innovate with purpose, build solutions that create lasting impact, and lead with courage in a rapidly evolving world. HBCUs are uniquely positioned to lead the way.
Conference led by entrepreneurship expertise
Conference Chair & Founder · Executive Director, Bowie State Entrepreneurship Innovation Center
Johnetta has led entrepreneurship initiatives in higher education for two decades, counseling over 3,000 businesses and helping secure more than $25 million in loans and investments. She launched Bowie State’s HBCU Entrepreneurship Conference in 2020 and oversaw the opening of the $42 million Entrepreneurship Living Learning Community.
Bowie State University was among the first HBCUs to convene students, educators, and entrepreneurs to advance entrepreneurship education and catalyze generational wealth-building. The Entrepreneurship Innovation Center, established in 2022, is the hub of the campus entrepreneurial ecosystem and is housed in the $42 million Entrepreneurship Living-Learning Community.
Visit the Entrepreneurship Innovation Center →“At Bowie State, entrepreneurship isn’t just about launching businesses — it’s about igniting a whole new way of thinking.”
Save the date
Friday, October 2, 2026 · The Martin Luther King, Jr. Center, Bowie State University · In-person + online.
