Building What’s Next
A premier platform celebrating excellence across industries and connecting the leaders, brands, and ideas shaping the future.
Our partners
A premier platform celebrating excellence across industries and connecting the leaders, brands, and ideas shaping the future.
A full-day packed with insightful sessions, networking, and recruitment opportunities with top companies.
A night of excellence and inspiration, the BlackStars Awards Gala honors trailblazing leaders and allies shaping the future of business and society.
2026
Vice President, Frontier AI Engineering and Services
AWS
SVP and Chief Equality and Engagement Officer
Salesforce
Chief Accounting Officer at Meta Platforms, Inc.
Ally Award
Dean, Jack C. Massey College of Business
Belmont University
Senior Vice President, Account Management and Business Operations
Evernorth Health Services
Senior Vice President, Account Management and Business Operations
Evernorth Health Services
Indianapolis Office Managing Partner and Chairman of the Board of Directors for NABA, Inc.
Crowe Advisory LLC
Indianapolis Office Managing Partner and Chairman of the Board of Directors for NABA, Inc.
Crowe Advisory LLC
Executive Director, Head of Diverse Wealth Strategies
J.P. Morgan
Vice President, Corporate Counsel
The Prudential Insurance Company of America
Chief Customer and Commercial Officer
Salesforce
SVP, Strategic Alliances and Outreach
United States Chamber of Commerce
Global People & Culture Executive and Author of The Tenacity Advantage.
Senior Vice President & Chief Equality and Engagement Officer
Salesforce
SVP, Head of Business Operations
National Basketball Association (NBA)
VP, People eXperience & Technology, Global Operations
Amazon
Director, Finance Risk, Governance & AI Enablement | CPA, CFE
Meta
Senior Director, Head of Internal Audit – Information Security, Technology, Emerging Tech & AI
Meta
Senior Director, Head of Internal Audit – Information Security, Technology, Emerging Tech & AI
Meta
Global Live Event & Broadcast Host
Erskine Communications
Global Head of Technology Communications, Marketing & Philanthropy
Morgan Stanley
The World Stages | 340 W 50th St, New York, NY 10019
8:30am
New World Stages
The BlackStars team will be ready to assist you as you check in, receive your event materials, and prepare for an inspiring day of learning and networking.
9am-4:30pm
Expo Hall
Connect with leading companies, meet with recruiters, explore exciting opportunities, and gain the insights you need to shape the future of your career!
9:45am-4:00pm
Main Stage
Get ready for an action-packed day with our summit Host, Dethra Giles.
10:00am-10:15am
Main Stage
Get fired up for the day with powerful welcome remarks from Sandra Babu-Boateng, Co-Creator of BlackStars Experience, and Guylaine Saint Juste, CEO of NABA — two visionary forces shaping the future of talent, innovation, and opportunity.
10:15am-11:00am
Main Stage
As AI reshapes the workplace, the rules of career advancement are changing. Join senior executives for a candid conversation on what it take to stand out, get promoted, build influence, and rise into leadership when technology is transforming how we work and what organizations value.
Senior Vice President & Chief Equality and Engagement Officer
Salesforce
Indianapolis Office Managing Partner and Chairman of the Board of Directors for NABA, Inc.
Crowe Advisory LLC
Global People & Culture Executive and Author of The Tenacity Advantage.
11:00am-11:35am
Main Stage
Join us for a forward-looking fireside chat with one of the technology industry’s leading voices on how professionals, entrepreneurs, and businesses can move beyond the fear of AI to uncover new opportunities, build a competitive advantage, and position themselves to thrive in the AI economy.
11:35am-12:15pm
Main Stage
Hear from leaders across industries as they explore how AI governance is evolving, what it means for our communities, and what must be done to ensure the future of AI is responsible, inclusive, and works for everyone.
12:15pm-1:00pm
Expo Hall
Recharge, connect, and build meaningful relationships during our Networking Lunch.
1:00pm-2:00pm
Main Stage
As AI takes on more of your team's work, where does your judgment matter most? In this hands-on workshop for leaders and managers, you'll test AI-generated recommendations on realistic scenarios. You'll practice deciding when to trust the output, what to question, and when to step in, then take those lessons back to your team.
2pm-2:40pm
Main Stage
A practical playbook from HR and industry leaders for navigating career disruption, building the skills that will matter next, and positioning yourself to thrive as AI transforms the workplace.
2:15pm-2:35pm
Expo Hall
A quick break to recharge and network.
2:35-3:00pm
Main Stage
AI is transforming the global economy. But what does it actually take for a company like Meta to build, finance, govern, and scale its AI ambitions? Hear from three Meta leaders working at the intersection of finance, technology, governance, and risk to explore the critical decisions, challenges, and opportunities shaping the company's AI future.
3:00pm-3:40pm
Main Stage
An estimated tens of trillions of dollars are expected to transfer across generations in the coming decades, creating both opportunity and risk for families. This discussion would focus on how individuals, business owners, and executives can intentionally prepare the next generation for wealth, stewardship, and legacy.
4:15pm-5:00pm
Expo Hall
In my 22-year career, I’ve attended and been part of many award ceremonies, galas, and fundraisers. BlackStars was by far the best one yet. I’m still buzzing. What the PanaGenius team has put together here will forever define the meaning of Black Excellence!
Thank you for this extraordinary celebration of Excellence! I am truly humbled to be one of the 2023 honorees, and I am inspired by all of the other amazing leaders in my cohort and those before me. Thank you again for your commitment to sharing the brilliance of our stories in such a powerful way!
It was powerful to see so many professionals across different industries. You had folks from tech, finance, law, healthcare…never before have I been to a conference like BlackStars! The synergy was amazing, talk about opportunities for client development, opportunity to mentor others and to be mentored. It was amazing!
I loved the spirit and energy of the BlackStars conference, as much as the professional organization, effortless style, and ideas and insights that were shared. It was a wonderful event with great speakers and a warm and collaborative atmosphere. Everybody there was there to win and help each other. And the organization was fantastic! There was a huge amount of joy, openness, and positivity.
