Thursday, November 15th

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Sheraton Annapolis Hotel

173 Jennifer Road
Annapolis, MD. 21401

8:30 A.M. – 10:00 A.M.
Prayer Breakfast (click here for ticket purchase)
Keynote Speaker: Rev. Al Sharpton, Founder and President of the National Action Network and host of MSNBC’s Politics Nation

SYMPOSIUM

10:00 A.M. – 11:00 A.M.
Business Growth & Sustainability Part 1
“Untying the Knot to STATE Procurement”
Moderator: Delegate Barbara Robinson
Description: State procurement officials will provide participants with the tools for navigating the certification and contracting processes. Attendees will also be informed of upcoming procurement events, workshops and business networking opportunities.

11:00 A.M. – 12:00 P.M.
“Teaming for Success”
Moderator: Delegate Barbara Robinson
Description: TBA

10:00 A.M. – 12:00 P.M.
Faith-based Community Development Corporation Access to Funding Resources
“Unleashing the Power to Stronger Communities”
Moderator: Senator C. Anthony Muse
Description: Faith-based and non-profit leaders will receive best practices tools on how to build in your community from local pastors, real estate lawyers and other experts. In addition, government experts will provide participants with technical assistance and information on available state grants, loans and other programs to meet their community real estate development needs.
 

12:00 P.M – 1:30 P.M.
Energy Luncheon
“Opportunities in Energy”

1:00 P.M. – 3:00 P.M.
One on One Meetings with Procurement Officers (separate registration required)
Participants to be announced

2:00 P.M. – 4:00 P.M.
Business Growth & Sustainability Part 2
“Untying the Knot to MUNICIPAL Procurement”
Moderator: TBA
Description: TBA

2:00 P.M. – 4:00 P.M.
Business Growth & Sustainability Part 3
“Opening the Pipeline to Capital and Credit”
Moderator: Shelly Gross-Wade, President, FSC-First
Description: Entrepreneurs will hear from Maryland’s top experts from the government and private sector on access to capital and government programs. Attendees will also learn about the requirements and steps to being credit worthy.

4:30 P.M. – 6:00 P.M.
Opening Business Reception

Friday, November 16th

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Sheraton Annapolis Hotel

173 Jennifer Road
Annapolis, MD. 21401

8:00 A.M. – 9:30 A.M.
Corporate Breakfast (click here for ticket purchase)

Miller Senate Office Building

11 Bladen Street
Annapolis, MD 21401

Plenary: 10:00 A.M. – 11:00 A.M.
Introduction to Speaker: Senator Delores Kelley
Keynote: Dr. Lillian Lowery, State Superintendent of Schools (confirmed)

11:00 A.M. – 12:30 P.M.
Health Education Part 1
“The Transatlantic Slave Trade and Health Disparities”
Moderator: Delegate Shirley Nathan-Pulliam
Description: This session will explore and inform constituents of the health issues facing people of the African Diaspora and the impact of those issues post-slavery. It will also give workshop participants a better understanding of the social determinants that lead to health disparities among people of color.

11:00 A.M. – 12:30 P.M.
Business Expansion
“Opening the Pipeline to InvestMD”
Moderator: Delegate Michael Vaughn
Description: Come learn about the capital opportunities available for small and minority businesses through the State’s economic development initiative and venture capital investment, InvestMaryland.

11:00 A.M. – 12:30 P.M.
Law & Justice
“Privacy in the Digital Age“
Moderator: Delegate Jill Carter
Description: From the information stored in your car’s onboard computer and GPS system to sealed juvenile records and your dismissed court case records to your grocery purchases and online viewing habits – your right to privacy is changing and being re-interpreted with the rapid advances in technology. Join this panel discussion of legal experts and privacy advocates as they share the latest facts and help you determine how to protect your information and your rights to privacy.

11:00 A.M. – 12:30 P.M.
The Green Economy
“Maryland Green Jobs”
Moderator: Del. Nathaniel Oaks
Description: Governor O’Malley is committed to a more sustainable future for Maryland and our economy. As the green economy grows, job opportunities will arise in an array of industries and occupations. This panel will discuss the types of jobs that transcend existing skill sets.

1:00 P.M. – 2:00 P.M.
Box Lunch

2:00 P.M. – 4:00 P.M.
Education Reform
“Maryland’s “Race to the Top” Linking Reform in Teacher Evaluation to Student Achievement”
Moderator: Senator Delores Kelley
Description: This workshop will explore competing views of various Maryland public education constituencies (school boards, teachers unions, teacher-education programs, business stakeholders, and school administrators) on how best to implement a major statewide and federally-funded reform, “Race to the Top.”

2:30 P.M. – 4:00 P.M.
Health Education Part 2
“The Transatlantic Slave Trade/Health Disparities and Health Care Reform: Senate Bill 234: A Mechanism for Reducing Health Disparities in African descent Populations in Maryland and the Health Benefit Exchange”
Moderator: Delegate Shirley Nathan-Pulliam
Description: Come learn about the Maryland Health Improvement and Disparities Reduction Act of 2012 (Health Enterprise Zone) and Maryland’s implementation of the Affordable Care Act.

2:30 P.M. – 4:00 P.M.
Political and Social Justice
“Opening the Pipeline Political and Civic Engagement”
Moderator: TBA
Description: Building a pipeline for future African American elected and stakeholder leaders in Maryland. Understanding the impact and getting engaged in legislative and social issues that impact our community. Panelist will also receive a brief highlight on Congress’ latest hot topics – the relatively new fiscal policy issue “Sequestration” which can be a game changer to state and local government funding stream.

2:30 P.M. – 4:00 P.M.
Recovering from Real Property Losses
“Untying the Property Devaluation Knot”
Moderator: TBA
Description: The accelerated pace of home value decline caused by the foreclosure crisis has wiped out decades of African American wealth in Maryland, destroying access to home equity that was once used to launch businesses and send students to college. Hear from financial experts and legislators on ways to stop the hemorrhaging and recreate wealth building in Maryland’s African American community.

Saturday, November 17th

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Sheraton Annapolis Hotel

173 Jennifer Road
Annapolis, MD 21401

10:00 A.M. – 12:00 P.M.
Town Hall Meeting
“The State of Black Maryland”
Moderator/Host: Roland Martin, CNN

To RSVP, click here. 

12:00 P.M. – 2:00 P.M.
Maryland State Police Job Orientation
Description: The first step toward joining the Maryland State Police is to attend an Applicant Orientation. The Orientation is a two- hour, open house orientation conducted by members of the Recruitment Unit. Orientations are presented for applicants interested in the Trooper – Trooper Medic and Cadet positions within the Maryland State Police. At the Orientation, prospective applicants will receive information about the Department, the application process and the Academy.

If the applicant is still interested in applying with the Department, they will fill out an Applicant Information form. Applicants who meet Departmental standards and requirements will receive a date to attend a Functional Fitness Test. They will also receive testing instructions and forms required during the application process.

For Maryland State Police Job Orientation
click here

Please be prompt as the doors will open at 11:30 a.m. and close at 12:00 p.m.
*Admittance after 12PM will be denied.*

7:00 P.M. – 8:00 P.M.
VIP Reception (click for ticket purchase)

8:00 P.M. – 12:00 A.M.
Dinner Gala (black tie) (click for ticket purchase)
Join us and our guest master of ceremony Carroll “Mr. C” Hynson, host of 96.3 WHUR’s “The Time Tunnel” and enjoy live entertainment by Saxophonist Art Sherrod along with a live band. Bring your party shoes and learn how to hand and line dance from some of the best local instructors in Maryland along with a local “Old School” DJ.