You Might be a Marketer Conference hosted by North Carolina Central University (In-Person Only)

This event is over.

Due to capacity, registration is now closed, please join the waitlist here.

Join The ANA Educational Foundation (AEF) at the You Might Be a Marketer HBCU student conference which convenes industry and academia. This event is geared towards students who will come from North Carolina Central University, St. Augustine University, and Shaw University:

The industry: Discover how the marketing industry collaborates to create meaningful brand engagements with consumers and businesses.
Career Advice: Gain insights into working in the marketing field and learn how to navigate your future career.
Job Preparation and Opportunities: Learn how to prepare for a career in marketing and explore the various roles available.

Agenda

TIME	EVENT DETAILS	LOCATION
Tuesday, April 15, 2025
8:30am - 9:30am	CHECK-IN / BREAKFAST	The Lowe's Auditorium Lobby
9:30am - 9:45am	WELCOME REMARKS Opening address highlighting key themes and objectives for the day. LaTasha Emmanuel Senior Manager, Community and Growth ANA Educational Foundation Attiyya Dunn Director of Marketing School of Business NCCU Dr. Anthony Nelson Dean School of Business NCCU Chandra Guinn Executive Director, DEIB McKinney	The Lowe's Auditorium
9:45am - 10:15am	FIRESIDE CHAT: BRANDING THAT MOVES CULTURE FORWARD Brands that lead culture don't just follow trends, they create movements. This session will explore how brand and social media marketing teams drive cultural relevance, foster authentic connections with diverse audiences, and build lasting engagement. Discover the strategies behind impactful storytelling, community-driven marketing, and the power of social media in shaping brand affinity and cultural influence. Moderator: Dr. Anthony Nelson Dean – School of Business NCCU Panelist: Tammara Walker Sr. Advertising Manager - Brand Comms Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen Quentin Mccorvey Senior Manager of Social Media and Influencers Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen	The Lowe's Auditorium
10:15am - 10:50am	BUILDING CULTURALLY RELEVANT MARKETING CAMPAIGNS Industry leaders discuss the strategies behind crafting campaigns that authentically engage diverse audiences and drive meaningful impact. Moderator: Dr. Josh Lundberg Assistant Professor of Marketing North Carolina Central University Erica L. Wilkerson Senior Director, Multicultural & Youth Marketing NASCAR Kyane Epps Senior Social Strategist McKinney Pashara Black Director, Event Marketing Fidelity Charitable Kreig Robinson Director, Engagement & Impact 23XI Racing	The Lowe's Auditorium
10:50am - 11:00am	NETWORKING BREAK A chance to refresh and connect.	The Lowe's Auditorium Lobby
11:00am - 11:35am	PANEL: NAVIGATING CAREERS IN MARKETING & BRAND STRATEGY Marketing professionals from top organizations share their career journeys, essential skills for success, and insights into emerging roles in the industry. Moderator: Koren Townsend Sr. Project Manager Red Hat Monica Johnson Brand Marketing Specialist USPS Nicholas Love CEO Kulur Group Dior George CEO TDD Enterprises Vince Hudson Current Board Member/Former Head of Business Marketing at Meta AEF	The Lowe's Auditorium
11:35am - 12:10pm	STRAIGHT TALK: BREAKING INTO AND THRIVING IN MARKETING In this candid conversation, Meera Gopalakrishnan, Chief Marketing Officer, at BD shares unfiltered insights on what it truly takes to break into the marketing industry and thrive in the corporate world. Meera will dive deep into the challenges and opportunities of landing your first role, excelling in your career, and staying authentic along the way. No fluff—just real talk and actionable advice to help you succeed in marketing. Moderator: Attiyya Dunn Director of Marketing School of Business NCCU Meera Gopalakrishnan Chief Marketing Officer BD	The Lowe's Auditorium
12:10pm - 12:45pm	PANEL: HBCU ALUMS IN MARKETING & ADVERTISING: JOURNEYS FROM CLASSROOM TO CORPORATE This panel features HBCU alumni at various career stages sharing their journeys into marketing and advertising. From breaking in to leveling up, they’ll offer insights on navigating the industry, overcoming challenges, and leveraging their HBCU experience for success. Moderator: Myles Morris Senior, Marketing NCCU Brécha Byrd Account Executive Momentum Worldwide Isatu Sowe AI Engineer/UX Designer Retail Genie Ivana Spurlock Moore Graduate Programs & Digital Communications Coordinator Elon University Rasheed S. Brown Sr. Copy Writer Epsilon Mya Bray-Lynn Singleton Social Media Specialist University of North Carolina at Charlotte	The Lowe's Auditorium
12:45pm - 2:00pm	NETWORKING LUNCH Engage in meaningful conversations with fellow attendees, speakers, and marketing professionals.	The Lowe's Auditorium
2:00pm - 2:35pm	MARKETING INNOVATION SHOWCASE: THE FUTURE OF BRAND ENGAGEMENT (Run Concurrently) Discover the latest trends, tools, and creative strategies shaping the future of marketing, from social commerce to experiential activations and beyond. Arvanna Smart Social Media Strategist McKinney Kristina Rios Sr. Program Manager Kargo Isatu Sowe AI Engineer/UX Designer Retail Genie Aaron Mullen Paid Social Analyst TRANZACT View Presentation	Room 245
	THE MARKETING CAREER LAB (Run Concurrently) Looking to make a strong first impression? Drop into the Marketing Career Lab for hands-on guidance from recruiters on perfecting your elevator pitch, resume, LinkedIn profile, and interview skills. Get expert feedback and take your career readiness to the next level! Kylah Lewis People & Experience Specialist McKinney	Innovation Lab \| Room 257
2:35pm - 2:45pm	CLOSING REMARKS

Cancellation Policy and Notes

No refunds will be granted for any cancellations or for 'no shows.' Unused registrations/applications have no monetary value and cannot be credited to future years or events. ANA will not issue refunds or credits due to failure to redeem a discount coupon during the registration process. You may transfer your registration to a colleague at no additional cost.