Michigan Central – Newlab, in Detroit, Michigan

Tuesday • June 10, 2025 – Friday, June 13, 2025

SEE YOU IN DETROIT, MICHIGAN

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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. The summit brings together innovation ecosystem stakeholders to create real scaling opportunities, while providing entrepreneurs with practical pathways to business sustainability.

BUILT DIFFERENT. BUILT TOGETHER. BUILT TO LAST.

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

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

Fireside Chat

10:20A–10:55A

Member to Member Networking

11A–12:30P

Workshop Session

12:30P–1:30P

Lunch

1:45P–3:00P

Presentation

3:00P–3:15P

Connection & Reflection

3:30P–4:45P

Panel Discussion

6P–8:30P

The Cookout

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

11A–11:45A

Presentation

11:45A–12P

Connection & Reflection

12:30P–2P

Lunch & BIA Awards Ceremony

2P–3P

Panel Discussion

3P–4P

Meet & Greet UBS/Friends of BIA

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–10:25A

Workshop Session

10:30A–11:25A

Presentation

11:30AM–1P

Closing Session and CEO Address

1P

Farewell

2p

Depart for home

Speakers and Hosts

Keynote Speakers

Erika Alexander

Color Farm Impact

Actress, Producer, Activist and Co-Founder

Lisa Price

Carol's Daughter

Founder & President

Speaker Gallery

Robert Gordon IV

BLCK VC

CEO

Lamar Tyler

Tyler New Media

CEO and co-founder

Bianca Jackson

BrickRose Exchange

Founder

Charity Dean

Michigan Black Business Alliance

President & CEO

Lakisha Greenwade

Wearable Tech Ventures

Founder and CEO

Monica Wheat

Venture Catalysts

Founder and executive director

Vincent Hunt

The Bureau of Creative Intelligence

Founder and CEO

Become a corporate partner

Contribute to BIA

See you in Detroit, Friends!