No Longer Divided
ONE VISION. ONE COMMUNITY. UNLIMITED OPPORTUNITY.
Sept 9–10, 2026
Wind Creek Chicago Southland
East Hazel Crest, Illinois
21ST ANNUAL CONVENTION
Featured Speakers
Learn from industry leaders, innovators, and change makers who are driving impact and creating opportunities for the next generation.
Dr. Deloris Thomas
Dr. Deloris Thomas is a leadership strategist, author, and international speaker whose distinguished career spans Fortune 500 corporate leadership, entrepreneurship, and global nonprofit executive management...
John Rogers
John’s passion for investing began at age 12 when his father began buying him stocks as Christmas and birthday gifts. His interest in equities grew while in college...
Terry Cummings
Terry was born in Hammond, IN to Verda Mae and Johnail Cummings on the southside of Chicago. He is the father of 3 boys and grandfather of 12...
Hilary Scott-Ogunrinde
Hilary Scott-Ogunrinde (O-goo-ren-day) is a clean energy and economic development leader committed to creating opportunity...
Brandon Johnson
Brandon Johnson is an American politician and former educator who since 2023 has served as the 57th mayor of Chicago...
Dwayne Pickett
Dwayne Pickett is the Vice President of State Government and Regulatory Affairs at Constellation, leading the development, planning, and execution of Constellation’s advocacy strategy in Illinois...
Ben McMillan, AIA, NCARB, NOMA
Ben McMillan, AIA, NCARB, NOMA is the Principal and Founder of IDG Architects + Partners, bringing over four decades of experience in architecture, planning, design, and project management.
Dr. John E. Harmon, Sr., IOM
Dr. John E. Harmon, Sr., IOM, is the Founder, President and CEO of the African American Chamber of Commerce of New Jersey (AACCNJ), advocating for economic equity and growth for Black-owned businesses.
Kareem Broughton
Kareem Broughton is the Construction Manager of Structure Re-Right, Inc., where he oversees field operations and the full lifecycle of project delivery, bringing over 25 years of experience.
Matt von Behren
Matt von Behren is the Executive Director for the State of Illinois Procurement Policy Board, pushing for open and transparent procurement.
David Adeleye
David Adeleye is an attorney with Croke Fairchild Duarte & Beres and serves as Government Relations Director and Counsel for Point of Difference Strategies, bringing experience from private practice and roles in the White House and U.S. Senate.
Krysti Rinaldi
Krysti Rinaldi is the Assistant Deputy Director for the Bureau of Strategic Sourcing (BoSS), overseeing the procurement and administration of hundreds of State-wide master contracts.
Robert Johnson, JD
Robert Johnson, JD is the President and CEO of The New England Business Growth Collective (The Collective), leading strategies to accelerate business growth, scale, and competitiveness.
Ruben W. Hopkins
Ruben W. Hopkins, a 14-year military veteran, is the founder of the Wisconsin Black Chamber of Commerce, dedicated to improving the quality of life in Black communities.
Sam Boye
Sam Boye is the Vice President of the Buildings and Facilities group at Ardmore Roderick, expanding the firm’s footprint across Chicago and managing program-level vertical contracts.
Gabriel Mitchell
Gabriel Mitchell is the President & CEO of Angel Flight Marketing Services, which he founded in 1992, bringing over three decades of marketing, project management, and strategic leadership experience.
Rashod R. Johnson, PE
Rashod R. Johnson, PE is a businessman who transformed Ardmore Roderick into one of the largest Black-owned infrastructure engineering and construction firms in the US, with 300+ employees across multiple states.
Irma R. Holloway
Irma R. Holloway is a Business Owner and COO for Phoenix CCI and serves as the Executive Director for Black Contractors Owners and Executives (BCOE), bringing over 15 years of general contracting and advocacy experience.
LaKisha Hillard, M.Ed.
LaKisha Hillard, M.Ed., is a seasoned professional with more than 25 years of experience advancing strategic initiatives in workforce diversity, community engagement, and higher education. She currently serves as Regional Public Engagement & Compliance Manager for Walsh Construction's Midwest Transportation Group.
Alexander Buckles, MPA, ECMCA
Alexander Buckles, MPA, ECMCA is the Director of Business Diversity for the Metropolitan Pier and Exposition Authority (MPEA), leading initiatives designed to expand equitable contracting opportunities and strengthen participation by certified minority- and women-owned businesses.
Dr. Erica Blakely
Dr. Erica Blakely, CPA, is a senior financial reporting executive and entrepreneur with over 25 years of experience in accounting, SEC reporting and business advisory.
Luke Wollin
Luke Wollin, a 22-year veteran of Ameren, is the Senior Vice President of Operations and Technical Services at Ameren Illinois, overseeing all electric and natural gas field operations.
Kristin Munsch
Kristin Munsch is Vice President for Regulatory Policy and Strategy for the Commonwealth Edison Company, an electric utility serving over 4 million customers in Northern Illinois.
Dr. Kia Sutton, CPSM
Dr. Kia Sutton is the Vice President of Business Development at Infrastructure Engineering, Inc. (IEI), leading business development strategies across all nine IEI office locations with over eight years of experience in the A/E/C industry.
Bruce Montgomery
Bruce Montgomery was appointed by Governor JB Pritzker to the State of Illinois Commission on Equity and Inclusion (CEI) to advance inclusive procurement and hiring practices across state government.
LaTasha Binder
LaTasha Binder stands as a dynamic leader in supplier diversity, equity, and inclusion, with over 17 years of experience in government contracting, procurement, and certification.
Jonathan Feipel
Jonathan Feipel is the Executive Director of the Illinois Commerce Commission, overseeing the $4 billion annual Illinois utility industry, alternative energy markets, and transportation safety.
Sharon A. Jean-Baptiste, PE, MBA
Sharon A. Jean-Baptiste, PE, MBA is the President of Ardmore Roderick and an accomplished engineering executive with more than 26 years of experience spanning water, transportation, and the built environment.