Michigan Central – Newlab, in Detroit, Michigan
Tuesday • June 10, 2025 – Friday, June 13, 2025
Michigan Central – Newlab, in Detroit, Michigan
Tuesday • June 10, 2025 – Friday, June 13, 2025
SEE YOU IN DETROIT, MICHIGAN
Transforming entrepreneurship thru capital, capacity and connections
SUSTAINABILITY SUMMIT
Sustainability Summit is BIA’s annual gathering focused on accelerating entrepreneurial success through expanded access to funding, partnerships, business development resources, and emerging technologies. This summit brings together innovation ecosystem stakeholders to create unprecedented scaling opportunities— while providing entrepreneurs with practical pathways to business sustainability.
BUILT DIFFERENT. BUILT TOGETHER. BUILT TO LAST.
June 10 – June 13, Michigan Central
Growing a business isn’t for the faint of heart. Surviving in today’s business landscape requires relationships, resources and resiliency. And no city embodies that fighting innovative spirit quite like Detroit, MI!
This year’s summit will take place at the award-winning Michigan Central—recently named one of Fast Company’s 2025 Most Innovative Companies. Our partnership with Michigan Central creates ideal conditions for catalytic collaborations, intimate strategy sessions and demonstrations of BIA’s emerging technology, including BlackSpring and Wealth Quest.
We Are
BUILT DIFFERENT
Sustainability Summit is a different model of “conference.” With over 170 innovator support organizations—collectively supporting a total of 300,000+ emerging entrepreneurs globally—our Built Different workshops will showcase the expertise transforming how today’s leader designs with a competitive edge.
We Are
BUILT TOGETHER
Detroit’s Sustainability Summit turns passive conference networking into active partnerships. Our Built Together keynotes and experts will get under the hood to uncover a range of opportunities for today’s entrepreneur—including how partnerships, alliances and mergers translate into strategic profitability.
We Are
BUILT TO LAST
Like the spirit of Motown, BIA is building solutions designed for entrepreneurs to build enduring legacies. Our Built to Last sessions center capital, capacity and connections—including a fireside with our summit sponsors, UBS.
WHAT ATTENDEES WILL GAIN AT SUSTAINABILITY SUMMIT ‘25
Transformation
Transform business models through our cutting-edge AI implementation workshop and strategic branding sessions
Community
Experience the power of collective wisdom connecting with Detroit's vibrant business community
Workshops
Master sustainable business practices through workshops on innovative capital approaches and proven wellness techniques
Funding
Intimate access to leading funders, emerging technologies and industry insights
- 2025 Schedule
day one
Tuesday • June 10
12p–8p
Open Registration
2p–6p
Ecosystem Builders Hospitality Suite
day two
Wednesday • June 11th
8A–9A
Open Registration and Breakfast
9A
Welcome and Housekeeping Updates
9:15A–9:30A
Grounding Activity
9:35A–10:20A
Keynote Address
10:30A–12:30P
BIA's Inflection Session
12:30P–1:30P
Lunch
1:35P–2:30P
BIA Member Learning Session
2:30P–2:45P
Connection & Reflection
2:50P–3:45P
Panel Discussion
5P–6P
Break
6P–8:30P
DoBI Fireside Chat
day three
Thursday • June 12th
8A–9A
Sign in & Breakfast
9A–9:15A
Daily Update and Housekeeping Notes
9:15A–9:30A
Grounding Activity
9:35A–10:30A
Keynote Address
10:30A–10:45A
Connection & Reflection
10:50A–11:45A
BIA Member Learning Session
11:45A–12P
Connection & Reflection
12:30P–2P
Lunch & BIA Awards Ceremony
2P–3P
BIA Member Learning Session
3P–3:30P
Panel Discussion
3:30P–4:30P
Meet & Greet UBS/Friends of BIA
4:30P–6P
Break
6P–8:30P
Friends of BIA Salon
day four
Friday • June 13th
8A–9A
Sign in & Breakfast
9A–9:15A
Daily Update and Housekeeping Notes
9:15A–9:30A
Grounding Activity
9:30AM–10:30A
BIA Member Learning Session
10:30A–11:30A
BIA Member Learning Session
11:30AM–1P
Closing Session and CEO Address
1P
Farewell
2p
Depart for home
Speakers and Hosts
Audience Engagement
Host and Emcee
India Fordham
Black Innovation Alliance
Events & Experiences Manager
Panel Discussion
Closing the Deal
Tammy Charles
Black Innovation Alliance
Director of Corporate Relations
Panel Discussion
Closing the Deal
Melissa Van Putten-Henderson
UBS
Private Wealth Management
Panel Discussion
Closing the Deal
Liam McCormick
UBS
Executive Director,Senior Strategist, Central Division, Family Advisory and Philanthropy Services Americas
Panel Discussion
Closing the Deal
Adewale Ogunyele
UBS
Managing Director,Head of Sports and Entertainment
Audience Engagement
Event Welcome/
Lightning Talks & Share Out
Event Closing
Kelly Burton
Black Innovation Alliance
CEO & Executive Director
Audience Engagement
Fireside Chat: Behind the scenes of BIA
Lightning Talks & Share Out
Olivia Green
Black Innovation Alliance
Member Relations Director
Audience Engagement
Fireside Chat: Behind the scenes of BIA
Master Class: Doing Business with BIA
Facilitation: Stuck Session
Jenna Scott
Black Innovation Alliance
Chief of Staff
Masterclass
Effective Storytelling through Pitch Decks: Creating Investment-Ready Decks
Michael Lightman
Hate Your Deck
Founder
Masterclass
The Human Perspective in Building a Tech Stack
Melissa (MJ) Jackson
Black Innovation Alliance
IT Business Systems Manager
Masterclass
Building an Engaging Following
Gina Hooks
Black Innovation Alliance
Director of Marketing
Masterclass
Operational Excellence: Tools for Modernizing Your Service Business
Operational Planning: Designing Automated Workflows for Your Team
Blessing Richardson
Sayla
Tech Strategist
Keynote
To Converse with Machines: The Symbiotic Relationship Between Man, Machines & The Future
Vincent Hunt
The Bureau of Creative Intelligence, USA
Creative & Strategic Generative AI Lead
Panel Discussion
Panel Discussion: Funding the Entrepreneurial Journey
Jessica Norwood
RUNWAY
Founder & CEO
Panel Discussion
Panel Discussion: Funding the Entrepreneurial Journey
Roshell Rinkins
Knight Foundation
Vice President/Grants Administration and Chief DEI Officer
Panel Discussion
Panel Discussion: Funding the Entrepreneurial Journey
Donnie Bedney
Parrish Street Capital
Co-Founder
Masterclass
Evolution of an Entrepreneur: Tranisitioning from Founder to CEO
Survival of the Futurist: Developing an Iron-Clad Culture of Innovation
Elyse Klova
Blaze Leadership
Lead Strategist
Masterclass
Evolution of an Entrepreneur: Transitioning from Founder to CEO
Survival of the Futurist: Developing an Iron-Clad Culture of Innovation
Val Porter
Blaze Leadership
President & CEO
Masterclass
Profitable Horizons: AI-Enhanced Strategies
Next-Level Strategies: AI-Powered Program and Service Development for Impact
Bianca Jackson
BrickRose Exchange
Founder
See you in Detroit, Friends!
