Black Founder Weekend 2025 at Paul Quinn College will feature more than 40 speakers across five tracks—Sell, Grow, Amplify, Lead, and Invest—each designed to drive real outcomes for Black founders and funders. Pictured clockwise from top left: Noelle LeVeaux, Michael Sorrell, David A. Wilson, Alphonzo “Phonz” Terrell, Jasmin Brand, Elizabeth Wattley, and Rachel Cargle. [Courtesy photos via Paul Quinn College]

A new conference in Dallas aims to deliver measurable results for Black entrepreneurs—and close persistent gaps in access to capital, revenue, and opportunity.

Over three days—June 27–29 at Paul Quinn College—the inaugural event will bring together Black tech founders, creative entrepreneurs, investors, and ecosystem builders from across the state. The goal: track $100,000 in direct economic impact over the course of the weekend, from founder funding and brand deals to service partnerships and new hires.

That focus on outcomes is what sets Black Founder Weekend apart, organizers say. From curated investor matchups and revenue-focused workshops to retail innovation and cultural connection, the event is structured to help founders scale—and help funders see what’s been missing.

According to organizers, Black founders are the fastest-growing group of entrepreneurs in the U.S., yet receive less than 1% of venture capital. On average, Black-owned businesses generate 11 times less revenue than white-owned firms.

The setting reinforces the mission. Paul Quinn College—the nation’s only urban work college—aims to operate at the intersection of innovation and equity. Hosting the conference on its campus puts ownership, access, and legacy at the center of the conversation.

A private kickoff for Black women leaders

On Thursday, the CROWNED Legacy Luncheon is an invite-only gathering for Black women investors and executives. Designed for candid conversations around capital, leadership, and long-term impact, it features a fireside chat with best-selling author and investor Rachel Cargle. 

What to expect: tracks, speakers, and capital in motion

Black Founder Weekend is about who you meet, what you build, and how much closer you get to your next milestone. The conference is a marketplace, strategy lab, and cultural summit all in one.

Programming is built around five tracks:

  • Sell – Revenue, pitching, and partnerships
  • Grow – Financial strategies, capital access, and operational scale
  • Amplify – Branding, media, and storytelling
  • Lead – Leadership, ownership, and ecosystem building
  • Invest – Wealth-building, funding others, and new paths to equity

 

Each track offers hands-on sessions led by founders and funders who’ve done the work, designed to move attendees forward, whether they’re bootstrapping to seven figures, landing their first retail deal, or exploring how to invest in others.

Featured speakers include Calvin Golden, who helped scale Wingstop’s franchise empire; Marty McDonald and Simone Kendle on “The Imperfect Pitch”; and April Allen and Elizabeth Wattley in a fireside chat on shaping public space through ownership and cultural design.

Attendees will also hear from media leader David A. Wilson, co-founder of TheGrio, one of the largest Black news platforms in the U.S., sharing his next act—building AI-powered tools to foster high-trust professional connections—and marketing expert Noelle LeVeaux, unpacking how she led branding efforts for FIFA in North Texas.

Other highlights from the agenda are:

  • “We Build It, We Own It” with Alphonzo “Phonz” Terrell, co-founder of Spill and former global head of social at Twitter, on launching a culture-first social platform and rewriting the rules of tech.
  • “The AI Stack for Scale” with Jay Veal, founder of INC Tutoring, on the tools growth-stage founders need, from finance automation to hiring workflows.
  • “Beyond the Pitch” with David “Sales Dr.” Tyson, on the sales strategies every founder needs to close deals and grow.
  • “Not Every Exit Is a Failure” with Frankesha Watkins, founder of B Polished Beauty, on choosing clarity and peace when it’s time to pivot.
  • “Protect Your Power” with attorney and intuitive Nik Sallie, blending legal expertise with energetic alignment to help founders protect their vision.

 
Unique activations designed for impact

Organizers say the conference format includes tech-forward programming and curated activations designed to drive discovery, spark collaboration, and keep capital moving, like: 

The Deal Room aims for real matchmaking, pairing vetted founders with funders for private, curated meetings. Organizers say the format is designed to remove friction and get to “yes” faster, making space for early checks, strategic advice, and direct investment. Participation is by application only.

The Black Market is a high-tech retail takeover that highlights product-based Black-owned brands in a fresh way. Instead of vendor tables, attendees interact with a QR-coded gallery wall that showcases products from skincare to fashion to home goods—and their founder stories—with direct links to buy.

The Exchange adds a creative drop-in space that puts service-based entrepreneurs—lawyers, marketers, strategists, and others—at the center. Expect live demos, pop-up consults, and bite-sized business-building sessions where founders can get real-time advice and explore partnerships on the spot.

PAM, the AI Assistant, launched with the conference app this month, is a custom-built AI tool designed to help attendees personalize their experience. It offers smart agenda planning, curated session recommendations, and real-time tracking of the event’s total economic impact—from grants and spending to investment deals closed on-site.

Culture, community, and closing moments

The conference officially kicks off Friday night with an opening happy hour hosted by The Connect Dallas, led by BFW25 advisory council member Taylor Moody. Founders, funders, and community leaders will gather for music, drinks, and intentional connection.

On Saturday afternoon, the event opens up to the broader public with a free community block party celebrating Black Music Month. Expect a live DJ, food and drink from Black-owned vendors, and a spotlight on local organizations serving the community year-round.

The weekend ends Sunday with “Seeds & Mimosas,” a reflective brunch for visioning what’s next. With live music, a guided visioning experience, and remarks from Jeff Meade, director of Paul Quinn’s new Entrepreneurship Program, the brunch sends attendees off with connection and clarity.

How to attend

Black Founder Weekend runs June 27–29 at Paul Quinn College, located at 3837 Simpson Stuart Road in Dallas. General admission is free and open to the public. A limited number of VIP tickets remain for $199. To register or learn more, go here.

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