Growth Leadership: The Power of Accurate Representation in Marketing (In-Person Only)

Join us for a powerful day exploring how modern marketing leaders are driving business growth through multicultural and inclusive marketing to reach each and every consumer to reach all consumers. This Growth Leadership Summit brings together visionary marketers who are harnessing cultural insights, delivering creative excellence, transforming media channel opportunities, and establishing their measurement authority to accelerate brand impact and commercial performance. Designed for both marketers and agencies, the day will offer actionable takeaways on how companies are taking advantage of the multicultural marketing opportunity with a specific focus on marketing to Black consumers. The day will end with a call to action in welcoming talent into our industry who can propel this growth forward.

9:00 AM – 10:00 AM | Check-In & Networking Breakfast 

10:00 AM –10:10 AM | Welcome & Opening Remarks

10:10 AM – 10:45 AM | From Insight To Impact — Crafting Campaigns That Resonate

Consumers are asking more of brands—and this session shows how marketers are meeting the moment. Learn how cultural insight and audience intelligence are being transformed into compelling campaigns that drive performance, relevance, and connection.

Moderator: Mia Hill, CEO, Beyond The Hill

Chantelle Walker, Assistant Director, Marketing, Penguin Random House

D'Shonda Brown, Corporate Communications Manager, Tris Pharma

Ray Martes, Sr. Manager, Paid Search Enablement, American Express

10:45 AM – 11:20 AM | The Power Of Representation — Why Visibility Matters Both On & Off Screen

This session explores how accurate and inclusive representation in creative drives measurable brand performance—from increased engagement to broader audience appeal and deeper loyalty. But what happens behind the screen is just as critical. From insights and production decisions to casting and partnerships, we'll examine how inclusive marketing strategies are built from the inside out. Expect data-backed results, real-world case studies, and tangible steps to operationalize authenticity across your marketing value chain.

Moderator: Alicia Scott, CEO, Great Scott Events

Romon Liscomb, Regional Vice President – East/South Coast, Salesforce

Susette Brooks, Inclusive Marketing Director – Consumer Marketing, Penguin Random House 

Tyla Thompson, Director, Future of Multicultural, Horizon Media

11:20 AM – 11:30 AM | Movement & Reflection Break 

11:30 AM – 12:05 PM | Leading The Future Of Media Transformation

Explore how today’s marketing leaders are redefining media strategy to drive measurable business impact. This panel will highlight how investing in targeted media channels and contextually relevant placements isn’t just good practice—it’s a growth strategy. Learn how brands are aligning media decisions with customer-centric values, increasing engagement, and maximizing return on investment by meeting consumers where they are, with the content that matters most highlighting opportunities to work with diverse owned and operated suppliers which offer greater consumer engagement despite more limited reach. Expect real examples, bold insights, and a clear vision for how media transformation fuels brand relevance and purchase intent.

Moderator: Vivian Nantembe, Group Director, WPP Media

Karina Dobarro, EVP, Future of Multicultural, Horizon Media

Aisha Shaw, SVP, Direct Response & Advanced TV Advertising Sales and Marketing, TV One

12:05 PM – 1:35 PM | Networking Lunch

1:35 PM – 2:10 PM | Marketing Leadership In Action — Building High Performance, Inclusive Teams

Great marketing starts with great teams. This session explores how marketing leaders are rethinking recruitment, mentorship, and talent development to foster high-performing organizations. Learn how inclusive team-building practices fuel creativity, boost retention, and accelerate business outcomes.

Moderator: Rodnell Workman, Managing Partner, MarketingWORK Advisors

Milena Brown, VP of Marketing, Penguin Random House 

Latoya Bennett-Johnson, Vice President, Global Sponsorships, Mastercard

Nejah Jemmott, North America Director Of Inclusion & Impact, VML

Nancy Galanty, EVP of Human Resources, Horizon Media

2:10 PM – 2:45 PM | Strengthening Academic-Industry Partnerships

A dynamic conversation on building sustainable pipelines of diverse marketing talent. Hear how partnerships between academia and industry are closing access gaps, accelerating career readiness, and yielding tangible returns through innovation and culturally attuned insight from emerging talent.

Moderator: Javier Garcia, Assistant Professor, Advertising & Public Relations, Media & Communication Arts, City College

Dr. Kemberly Stephens, Assistant Professor, Lincoln University

Dr. Zulema Blair, Dean, Medgar Evers College

Scott Patterson, President /CEO, Apex Marketing Management, Inc.

Denise Bennett, Head of Integrated Marketing, Ebony

2:45 PM – 3:00 PM | Spoken Word Performance: The Power Of Representation

Hattress Barbour III, Author/Poet, The Poet Tree

3:00 PM – 4:30 PM | Closing Remarks