New World Stages | 340 W 50th St, New York, NY 10019
9am
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! COMPANIES REPRESENTED: Morgan Stanley, Genentech, Amazon, TEKsystems, GE Healthcare, Chase, Citibank, Webster Bank, McDonalds, and many more.
10am-10:15am
Main Stage
TBA
10:15am-10:45am
Main Stage
Sponsored session by Genentech
10:45am-11:30am
Main Stage
In an era defined by disruption and transformation, Black leaders are not just seeking a seat at the table—they’re reshaping the table itself. This panel explores what it means to lead boldly, authentically, and with purpose in a world that’s constantly shifting. Hear from leaders who are moving beyond representation to true influence—driving strategy, shaping policy, and building ecosystems of power. What does transformative leadership look like today, and how do we ensure the next generation is ready to carry the torch?
11:30am-12:00pm
Main Stage
In an era where DEI commitments are under fire and performative gestures are being called out, the time has come to redefine what true allyship looks like—especially in leadership, boardrooms, and institutions of power. This session will explore how allies can move from intention to action, leveraging their influence to challenge systems, champion equity, and co-create cultures of belonging. We’ll hear from executives, change agents, and advocates who are not just speaking up—but standing up in tangible, courageous ways.
12:pm-12:45pm
Expo Hall
Recharge, connect, and build meaningful relationships during our Networking Lunch—where great conversations meet great food.
12:45pm-1:30pm
Main Stage
As AI, automation, and remote technologies reshape the workforce, the future of work is being written now—and Black talent must be at the center of the script. From digital upskilling and inclusive innovation to redefining workplace culture and access, this panel explores how leaders, technologists, and futurists are preparing for what's next—and what’s needed to ensure equity isn’t an afterthought. We’ll dive into the changing nature of work, the rise of skill-based hiring, the impact of automation on Black labor, and how we can build systems that not only include—but are designed by and for—diverse talent.
1:30pm-2:15pm
Main Stage
As AI, fintech, and global shifts redefine work and wealth, this panel unites leaders in finance, innovation, and policy to confront the racial wealth gap, the role of institutions, the promise and peril of tech, and the leadership needed to build a future where Black wealth is the expectation, not the exception.
2:15pm-2:45pm
Expo Hall
A quick break to recharge and network.
2:45pm-3:30pm
Main Stage
The global Black community is rich in culture, talent, and resilience—but systemic change requires more than solidarity. It demands capital. This high-impact session explores how we can intentionally bridge Diaspora capital—financial, intellectual, and relational—to build lasting institutions, transform economies, and rewrite the rules of engagement in business, media, education, and policy.
3:30pm-4:30pm
Main Stage
Join us for an interactive Q&A with past and present BlackStars honorees as they share how they’re navigating this moment—the DEI backlash, the exodus of Black talent, and a rapidly shifting global landscape. Together, we’ll examine how to build stronger, more resilient networks to uplift Black talent and leadership in these challenging and uncertain times.
4:30pm-5:30pm
Expo Hall
