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Schedule
Sessions
The Wealth Lab
Host Committee
Registration

Registration is at capacity.

Thank you for your interest in the Powered by Us Symposium! Registration has reached capacity, and we cannot accommodate additional attendees.

Building Black generational wealth. Strengthening Memphis.

A smiling Black family sits outdoors. Text reads: “Powered By Us—Black Generational Wealth Symposium. August 14. Bridges, 477 N 5th St, 38105.” Includes Black Philanthropy Month and Community Foundation logos.
A smiling Black family sits outdoors. Text reads: “Powered By Us—Black Generational Wealth Symposium. August 14. Bridges, 477 N 5th St, 38105.” Includes Black Philanthropy Month and Community Foundation logos.

Our Black Philanthropy Month celebration includes an invigorating summit featuring dynamic speakers, breakout sessions, and networking opportunities. The 2026 Symposium focused on building Black Generational Wealth will be Friday, August 14, from 8:30 a.m. until 3:30 p.m. at BRIDGES, 477 N. 5th Street. Join us for a no-cost day filled with interactive and affirming sessions for Black givers and nonprofits.

A note from Community Foundation leadership

Generational wealth isn’t just about money. It’s about what we pass down—the assets, yes, but also the values, the wisdom, and the spirit of giving that shapes who our families and communities become.

This August, the Community Foundation is recognizing Black Philanthropy Month by celebrating the many ways Black families are building lasting legacies right here in Memphis. Whether you’re exploring homeownership, starting to invest, preparing a will, protecting family assets, or planning for retirement, there’s no single path—but every journey starts with a conversation.

And legacy isn’t only financial. It’s the causes you champion, the organizations you support, the next generation you inspire to give back.

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Vice President of Community Impact Aerial Ozuzu and Vice President of Philanthropic Services Veronica Jamison

Schedule

Full day event schedule with color-coded blocks for registration, sessions, networking breaks, lunch, and closing. Main topics include opportunity, legacy, networking, and breakout sessions. Event branded Powered By Us. Event schedule for the Powered By Us: Black Generational Wealth Symposium with times for registration, plenary sessions, breakout sessions, networking breaks, lunch, and closing..

Titles and topics subject to change.

Plenary sessions

Join the entire Symposium community for keynotes and conversations that spark big-picture insight and bookend the day.

Morning Plenary

Meet the voice opening our Powered By Us Symposium: Andre M. Perry, Senior Fellow and Director of the Center for Community Uplift at Brookings. He’ll place our wealth-building conversations in history, spotlighting the power communities have always had to create their own paths forward.

Register to Attend
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Lunch Plenary

Join us for a conversation on legacy in action, exploring what it means to inherit opportunity and build pathways for future generations. Through the Willis family’s story, attendees will reflect on the responsibilities and values that sustain wealth.

Register to Attend
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Additional breakout sessions

A group of adults sits attentively in a brightly lit room, facing forward. Some are smiling, and they appear engaged, suggesting they are attending a seminar or presentation.

Many Black families carry financial experiences shaped by instability, exclusion, and systemic barriers. This session explores how financial trauma influences everyday financial decisions and offers practical strategies for rebuilding confidence, developing healthier money habits, and creating a foundation for long-term wealth.

Speaker
A woman with short, styled hair, large hoop earrings, and a bright smile stands outdoors in sunlight, wearing a white top with black detailing. The background is blurred greenery.
A woman with short, styled hair, large hoop earrings, and a bright smile stands outdoors in sunlight, wearing a white top with black detailing. The background is blurred greenery.

TK Jones · Operations Director and Money Coach, Forward Memphis

Building wealth is only part of the journey. Participants will explore how insurance, estate planning, legal protections, and financial planning work together to protect assets, preserve family wealth, and ensure that what is built today can benefit future generations.

Speakers
A professional headshot of a Black woman with long, straight dark hair, wearing a light grey blazer and a white blouse, smiling softly against a solid grey background.
A professional headshot of a Black woman with long, straight dark hair, wearing a light grey blazer and a white blouse, smiling softly against a solid grey background.

Brooke Benjamin · Tax Attorney & Wealth Strategist // Founder, Benjamin Law Firm

A smiling woman with long wavy hair wears a textured green button-up top and stands in front of a plain gray background.
A smiling woman with long wavy hair wears a textured green button-up top and stands in front of a plain gray background.

Carlissa Shaw · Criminal Defense Attorney // Founder, The CASE FIRM

Generational wealth is often associated with large inheritances and high net worth, but its foundation is built through everyday decisions. From homeownership and entrepreneurship to estate planning and financial education, there are many ways to create wealth that lasts. This conversation will cover how to build and sustain wealth that creates opportunity for future generations.

Speakers

A person in a dark suit and tie smiles warmly while standing indoors near a window, with blurred buildings visible in the background.
A person in a dark suit and tie smiles warmly while standing indoors near a window, with blurred buildings visible in the background.

Deja Foster · Manager – Advanced Wealth Planning & Consulting, Ameriprise Financial Services, LLC

A man with a beard wearing a black suit, checked shirt, and tie stands outdoors with arms crossed, smiling confidently in front of blurred trees.
A man with a beard wearing a black suit, checked shirt, and tie stands outdoors with arms crossed, smiling confidently in front of blurred trees.

DeVonté Payton · Director of Development, RISE Memphis

Black-led nonprofits are often first to respond, last to be funded. Join Margaret Cowan (I Am My Sister’s Keeper) and Phillis Lewis (Love Doesn’t Hurt) for honest talk on turning good intentions into lasting support. Ahead of Give 8/28, find ways to help Black-led organizations.

Speakers

A woman with styled locs, hoop earrings, and bright pink nails smiles gently, resting her chin on her folded hands. She wears multiple bracelets, a watch, and a nose ring, against a neutral gray background.
A woman with styled locs, hoop earrings, and bright pink nails smiles gently, resting her chin on her folded hands. She wears multiple bracelets, a watch, and a nose ring, against a neutral gray background.

Margaret Cowan ·  Founder and Executive Director, I Am My Sister’s Keeper

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Smiling person in a black shirt and cap sits with their hand on their chin, in front of a backdrop with red heart graphics and the words LOVE DOESNT HURT..

Phillis Lewis ·  CEO, Love Doesn’t Hurt

Building wealth also requires expanding access to opportunity. This session examines the structural realities that shape wealth creation while highlighting strategies that increase economic mobility, strengthen communities, and expand access to resources and opportunity.

Speakers
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Smiling man wearing glasses, a plaid suit jacket, and a white shirt stands in front of colorful, blurred windows.

Dr. Charles McKinney · Neville Frierson Bryan Chair of Africana Studies and Associate Professor of History, Rhodes College

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A smiling man in a brown blazer and light shirt stands casually indoors, resting one arm on a counter. The background is softly blurred, focusing attention on him.

Cardell Orrin · Executive Director, Stand for Children Tennessee

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A man in a gray suit, white shirt, and red striped tie stands by a light-colored wall. He has short hair, a beard, and wears glasses, smiling slightly while looking at the camera.

Sam O’Bryant III · President and CEO, BRIDGES

Ownership can be one of the most powerful tools for building generational wealth. This conversation explores how business ownership creates opportunity at every stage, from launching a new venture to expanding an established business, investing in commercial real estate, and building assets that can be sustained and passed on for generations.

Speakers
A man wearing glasses, a blue suit jacket, and a white shirt smiles in front of a solid blue background.
A man wearing glasses, a blue suit jacket, and a white shirt smiles in front of a solid blue background.

Ron Brooks, Jr. · President, River City Capital

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Smiling man in a dark suit, white shirt, and red striped tie poses in front of a dark background. He has short curly hair and a small pin on his lapel.

Jamel Dagher · Assistant Vice President – Commercial Lending, Paragon Bank

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A woman with short hair sits on a wicker chair, wearing a white polo shirt, silver jewelry, and a statement ring. Lush green leaves and flowers decorate the background.

Crystal DeBerry · Licensed Clinical Social Worker // Founder, Indomitable Families Affected by Incarceration

A man in a dark suit, white shirt, and gray tie smiles at the camera against a light blue background.
A man in a dark suit, white shirt, and gray tie smiles at the camera against a light blue background.

Darrell Cobbins · President of Universal Commercial Real Estate, LLC

A large group of people sit at round tables during an indoor event. A panel speaks on stage near a screen displaying POWERED BY US. The room features tall windows and a climbing wall in the background.

Black women continue to build wealth while navigating unique structural barriers. This conversation centers their experiences, celebrates their leadership, and offers practical strategies for building, protecting, and transferring wealth while creating lasting legacies.

Speaker
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Smiling woman with long, curly, brown and blonde hair wears a denim shirt, sitting on a light couch in a softly lit room with a neutral background.

Carmeon Hamilton · Interior Designer, Entrepreneur, and Lifestyle Influencer

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A woman with long dark hair, wearing a black blazer and top, smiles at the camera against a plain light background.

Melanie Burroughs Cole · Chief Operating Office, R.S. Lewis Funeral Home, LLC

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A woman with long dark hair, wearing a sleeveless black top, smiles confidently with her hand resting near her chin, standing against a wooden background.

Victoria Young · Attorney, AXA XL Insurance 

Nobody handed our families a permission slip to own a piece of the market, so most of us learned to save, survive, and stay quiet about money. This session tears that up. ErikaBlair (Gen X) and Emari (Gen Z) bring two generations into the conversation, what it took to build wealth without that permission, and what it takes to claim it now.

What you’ll learn:

  • How investing actually works in plain language, what ownership means, and how funds let you own hundreds of companies at once, including brands you already spend with
  • What adults wish they’d known earlier about money, careers, and ownership, and what younger generations think about wealth, giving, and community investment
  • Why giving is wealth-building too, not money you lose, and how families pass down networks and opportunity alongside dollar

What you’ll walk away with:

Clarity, confidence, and a physical permission slip that outlines your next three steps to investing.

Speakers
A woman with straight, dark hair, wearing a pearl necklace and a black top, smiles at the camera against a plain dark gray background.
A woman with straight, dark hair, wearing a pearl necklace and a black top, smiles at the camera against a plain dark gray background.

ErikaBlair McGrew · President & Founder, The Wealth Lab™ & Young WallStreet

A man in a blue suit, white shirt, and yellow striped tie smiles at the camera against a plain gray background.
A man in a blue suit, white shirt, and yellow striped tie smiles at the camera against a plain gray background.

Emari Brown · Founder, E&T Consulting, LLC & JEB’s Vintage

The stories that communities tell shape beliefs, policies, and investment. This session explores how changing the narrative around Black wealth, Black generosity, and Black leadership creates new possibilities for opportunity, investment, and lasting change.

Speakers

A woman in a green blazer stands with arms crossed against a dark gray background, looking confidently at the camera.
A woman in a green blazer stands with arms crossed against a dark gray background, looking confidently at the camera.

Jasmine Worles · City of Memphis Innovation Team (i-team) Director, Bloomberg Center for Public Innovation at Johns Hopkins University

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A man with long dark hair and a beard smiles warmly at the camera, resting his chin on his hand. He wears a black top and is set against a dark background.

Princeton James · Founder, Princeton James Productions

Black philanthropy has always been rooted in collective care. Participants will explore giving circles, mutual aid, collaborative philanthropy, and community-led investment as powerful approaches for strengthening neighborhoods and building shared prosperity.

Speakers

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A smiling person with short hair and glasses wears earrings and a Memphis Artists for Change t-shirt, standing against a white background with arms crossed.

Tameka Greer · CEO, Memphis Artists for Change

Many people want to make a greater impact but are unfamiliar with the tools available to support intentional giving. This session explores donor-advised funds, endowments, planned giving, and other philanthropic strategies that help individuals and families align their values with their giving and create lasting community impact.

Speakers
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A woman with long, wavy brown hair wearing a burgundy top smiles warmly at the camera. She stands outdoors with blurred greenery and columns in the background.

Veronica Jamison · Vice President of Philanthropic Services, Community Foundation of Greater Memphis

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Smiling man wearing dark glasses, a gray plaid suit, a light blue shirt, and a patterned navy blue tie, standing in front of a light blue background.

Nathan Ollie, CAP® · Financial Advisor, Merrill Lynch Wealth Management

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A woman with short, curly black hair smiles warmly at the camera. She is wearing gold hoop earrings and a white top, posed in front of a plain dark gray background.

Dr. Shanea McKinney · Senior Clinical Pharmacy Consultant, Cigna Healthcare

New this year: The Wealth Lab

A Powered by Us Symposium Experience

The Wealth Lab is a special activation within the Powered By Us Symposium designed for attendees who want personalized guidance on their wealth-building journey.

Three people sit and talk in a discussion panel. Two men and one woman, all wearing conference badges, face each other. Sticky notes are posted on the whiteboards in the background.
Three people sit and talk in a discussion panel. Two men and one woman, all wearing conference badges, face each other. Sticky notes are posted on the whiteboards in the background.

While the symposium creates space for learning, connection, and conversation, the Wealth Lab offers participants the opportunity to go deeper through one-on-one working sessions with trusted financial professionals.

Whether someone is exploring homeownership, preparing a will, starting to invest, planning for retirement, protecting family assets, thinking about legacy and giving, or building a business, the Wealth Lab provides dedicated time to ask questions, review options, identify next steps, and develop a personalized plan.

Attendees may register for a Wealth Lab appointment and complete a brief intake form once they have registered for the symposium. During the symposium, participants meet one-on-one with a financial professional for a one-hour working session focused on their specific goals and circumstances. Participants are encouraged to bring questions, financial goals, and relevant documents, if applicable.

Host committee

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Judith Black Moore

Principal, J. Black Moore Strategies // CEO, Taking Back the Future

A man with a beard and short hair wearing a dark suit, plaid shirt, and navy tie, smiling in front of a blue background.

Darrell Cobbins

Founder, Universal Commercial Real Estate

Tanya Frey

Tanya Frey

CEO, Terra Firma Consulting, LLC

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Rachel Knox

Senior Program Officer, Hyde Family Foundation

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Sam O’Bryant

President & CEO, BRIDGES

Registration is at capacity.

Thank you for your interest in the Powered by Us Symposium! Registration has reached capacity, and we’re thrilled by the response from our community. While we can’t accommodate additional registrations for this year’s event, we don’t want you to miss out—join our monthly eNewsletter list to stay up-to-date with news, stories of impact, and event invitations from the Community Foundation. We’re grateful for your enthusiasm and look forward to connecting with you soon.

Building on a solid foundation

Black philanthropy has always been vital; attendees’ participation at the inaugural event helped highlight that truth in a powerful way and laid groundwork for greater recognition, celebration, and collective impact moving forward. Enjoy highlights from the 2025 event by clicking the video below.

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