BEGIN:VCALENDAR VERSION:2.0 PRODID:-//ChamberMaster//Event Calendar 2.0//EN METHOD:PUBLISH X-PUBLISHED-TTL:P3D REFRESH-INTERVAL:P3D CALSCALE:GREGORIAN BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART:20251029T133000Z DTEND:20251029T200000Z X-MICROSOFT-CDO-ALLDAYEVENT:FALSE SUMMARY:Minority Business Summit DESCRIPTION:Quad Cities Chamber | Minority Business Summit \n\nWednesday\, October 29\, 2025 \n\nVibrant Arena at the MARK\, Moline\n\n 8:30 a.m. check-in | light breakfast\n\n 9 a.m. - 3 p.m. Program\n\n\n\nFREE EVENT | Advanced Registration Required \n\nFirst 100 people through the doors will receive a free Apple Square ($59 value)!\n\n\n\nCalling all minority business owners & entrepreneurs!\n\nGet ready for an inspiring day of connection and learning at the Quad Cities Chamber Minority Business Summit. This year's event features a powerful lineup of speakers and experts ready to help you grow your business\, strengthen your network and spark new ideas.\n\nHear from Abena Sankofa Imhotep\, award-winning author and activist\, and Vanessa McNeal\, transformational coach and national speaker\, in two dynamic keynote sessions. \n\n\n\nBreakout workshops include topics like access to capital\, navigating government contracts\, digital marketing and more. Don't miss this opportunity to learn\, connect and be inspired.\n\n \n\nMeet Our Keynote Speakers:\n\n\n\nAbena Sankofa Imhotep\n\nSankofa Literary & Empowerment Group\n\nAbena is an award-winning author\, scholar and activist whose work celebrates Africana\, challenges historical narratives and advocates for a just world. \n\n\n\nAs the CEO of Sankofa Literary & Empowerment Group\, Abena's mission is two-fold: to create spaces for lifelong learning that center the literature and scholarship of Black authors and to work toward a world where all children love to read. Abena's complete biography and personal mission.\n\n\n\n\n\n\nVanessa McNeal\n\nMental & Emotional Mastery Solutions\n\nVanessa is a transformational coach\, national speaker and facilitator dedicated to developing high-achievers unlock clarity\, confidence and authentic success through neuroscience-backed strategies. She is an instructor at Mind Body Green Institute and a certified Elite Life Coach. In 2024\, Vanessa was accepted into the acclaimed Goldman Sachs One Million Black Women: Black in Business Program.\n\n\n\nAGENDA\n\n8:30 a.m. Check-in\, light breakfast & networking\n\n\n\n9:00 a.m. Welcome message\n\n\n\n9:10 a.m. Opening Keynote | Abena Sankofa Imhotep\, Sankofa Literary & Empowerment Group\n\n\n\n10:00 a.m. Exhibitor tables open\n\n\n\n10:30 a.m. Fueling your Growth-Access to Capital Panel featuring:\n\n Alvaro Macias | Ascentra Credit Union\, Eileen Roethler | Quad City Bank & Trust\,\n\n Frank Perez | Bridge Investment Community Development Corporation (CDFI)\, \n\n Kelly McCarthy | US Bank\, Lonnie Rays | Business Owner\, and \n\n Ann Friederichs | SBDC\n\n\n\n11:10 a.m. Breakout workshops:\n\n Option 1: Navigating Government Contracts & Certifications | Dr. Regina Smith\, \n\n Strategic Exceptions and Maria Ramos-Elisondo\, SBDC\n\n \n\n Option 2: Accounting Essentials | Molly Mayfield\, GreenFlex Financial\n\n\n\n11:50 p.m. Lunch and exhibitors\n\n\n\n12:50 p.m. Digital Marketing | Jasmine Butler\, KWQC\n\n\n\n1:30 p.m. AI for Small Business | Padmini Soni\, Rezonance AI\n\n\n\n2:10 p.m. Closing Keynote | Vanessa McNeal\, Mental & Emotional Mastery Solutions\n\n\n\n2:50 p.m. Closing remarks\n\n\n\n3:00 p.m. Program concludes\n\nThank you to our 2025 Exhibitors!\n\n\n\nAkwaaba QC\n\nAmerican Job Center\n\nArgrow's House\n\nAscentra Credit Union\n\nBig Brothers Big Sisters\n\nBlackhawk Bank & Trust\n\nBrow & Lash Beauty Bar\n\nCafe Noir Bookshop\n\nDavenport Public Library\n\nEastern Iowa Community Colleges\n\nGoldman Sachs 10\,000 Small Businesses\n\nGrayhawk Consulting Group\n\nGreater Quad Cities Hispanic Chamber of Commerce\n\nMetroLINK\n\nQC Flex\n\nQCAIR\n\nQuad City Bank & Trust\n\nRiverbend Signworks\n\nSAL Community Services\n\nSlick.ID\n\nUnited Way Quad Cities\n\nUS Bank\n\n \n\nThe Quad Cities Chamber strives to host inclusive and accessible events that enable all individuals to engage fully. For event assistance or additional information\, please contact:\n\n \nJames Porter\n\nVice President\, Small & Minority Business\n\nQuad Cities Chamber\n\nO. 563.823.2688\n\njporter@quadcitieschamber.com X-ALT-DESC;FMTTYPE=text/html:

Quad Cities Chamber | \;Minority Business Summit \;
\nWednesday\, October 29\, 2025 \;
\nVibrant Arena at the MARK\, Moline
\n \;8:30 a.m. check-in | light breakfast
\n \;9 a.m. - 3 p.m. Program
\n
\nFREE EVENT | Advanced Registration Required
\nFirst 100 people through the doors will receive a free Apple Square ($59 value)!

\n\n


\nCalling all minority business owners &\; entrepreneurs!

\n\n

Get ready for an inspiring day of connection and learning at the Quad Cities Chamber Minority Business Summit. \;This year&rsquo\;s event features a powerful lineup of speakers and experts ready to help you grow your business\, strengthen your network and spark new ideas.

\n\n

Hear from Abena Sankofa Imhotep\, award-winning author and activist\, and Vanessa McNeal\, transformational coach and national speaker\, in two dynamic keynote sessions.  \;
\n
\nBreakout workshops include topics like access to capital\, navigating government contracts\, digital marketing and more. Don&rsquo\;t miss this opportunity to learn\, connect and be inspired.
\n \;

\n\n
Meet Our Keynote Speakers:
\n
\nAbena Sankofa Imhotep
\nSankofa Literary &\; Empowerment Group\n\n

Abena is an award-winning author\, scholar \;and activist whose work celebrates Africana\, challenges historical narratives \;and advocates for a just world. \;
\n
\nAs the CEO of Sankofa Literary &\; Empowerment Group\, Abena'\;s mission is two-fold: to create spaces for lifelong learning that center the literature and scholarship of Black authors and to work toward a world where all children love to read. \; \;Abena'\;s complete biography and personal mission.

\n\n

\n
\n
\nVanessa McNeal
\nMental &\; Emotional Mastery Solutions
\nVanessa is a transformational coach\, national speaker and facilitator dedicated to developing high-achievers unlock clarity\, confidence and authentic success through neuroscience-backed strategies. She is an instructor at Mind Body Green Institute and a certified Elite Life Coach. In 2024\, Vanessa was accepted into the acclaimed Goldman Sachs One Million Black Women: Black in Business Program.
\n
\nAGENDA
\n8:30 a.m. \; \; \; \; \; \;Check-in\, light breakfast &\; networking
\n
\n9:00 a.m. \; \; \; \; \; \;Welcome message
\n
\n9:10 a.m. \; \; \; \; \; \; \;Opening Keynote | Abena Sankofa Imhotep\, Sankofa Literary &\; Empowerment Group
\n
\n10:00 a.m. \; \; \; \;Exhibitor tables open
\n
\n10:30 a.m. \; \;  \;Fueling your Growth-Access to Capital Panel featuring:
\n \; \; \; \; \; \; \; \; \; \; \; \; \; \; \; \; \; \; \; \; \; \; \; \;Alvaro Macias | Ascentra Credit Union\, Eileen Roethler | Quad City Bank &\; Trust\,
\n \; \; \; \; \; \; \; \; \; \; \; \; \; \; \; \; \; \; \; \; \; \; \; \;Frank Perez | Bridge \;Investment Community \;Development Corporation (CDFI)\,
\n \; \; \; \; \; \; \; \; \; \; \; \; \; \; \; \; \; \; \; \; \; \; \; \;Kelly McCarthy | US Bank\, Lonnie Rays | Business Owner\, and
\n \;  \;  \;  \;  \;  \;  \;  \;  \;  \;  \;  \; Ann Friederichs | SBDC
\n
\n11:10 a.m. \; \; \; \;Breakout workshops:
\n \; \; \; \; \; \; \; \; \; \; \; \; \; \; \; \; \; \; \; \; \; \; \; \;Option 1: Navigating Government Contracts &\; Certifications | Dr. Regina Smith\,
\n \; \; \; \; \; \; \; \; \; \; \; \; \; \; \; \; \; \; \; \; \; \; \; \;Strategic \;Exceptions and Maria Ramos-Elisondo\, SBDC
\n \;  \;  \;  \;  \;  \;  \;  \;  \;  \;
\n \; \; \; \; \; \; \; \; \; \; \; \; \; \; \; \; \; \; \; \; \; \; \; \;Option 2: Accounting Essentials | Molly Mayfield\, GreenFlex Financial
\n
\n11:50 p.m. \; \; \; \;Lunch and exhibitors
\n
\n12:50 p.m. \;  \;Digital Marketing | Jasmine Butler\, KWQC
\n
\n1:30 p.m. \;  \;  \;AI for Small Business | Padmini Soni\, Rezonance AI
\n
\n2:10 p.m. \; \; \; \;Closing Keynote | Vanessa McNeal\, Mental &\; Emotional Mastery Solutions
\n
\n2:50 p.m. \; \; \; \;Closing remarks
\n
\n3:00 p.m. \; \; \; \;Program concludes\n\n
Thank you to our 2025 Exhibitors!
\n
\nAkwaaba QC
\nAmerican Job Center
\nArgrow'\;s House
\nAscentra Credit Union
\nBig Brothers Big Sisters
\nBlackhawk Bank &\; Trust
\nBrow &\; Lash Beauty Bar
\nCafe Noir Bookshop
\nDavenport Public Library
\nEastern Iowa Community Colleges
\nGoldman Sachs 10\,000 Small Businesses
\nGrayhawk Consulting Group
\nGreater Quad Cities Hispanic Chamber of Commerce
\nMetroLINK
\nQC Flex
\nQCAIR
\nQuad City Bank &\; Trust
\nRiverbend Signworks
\nSAL Community Services
\nSlick.ID
\nUnited Way Quad Cities
\nUS Bank
\n \;
\n\n
The Quad Cities Chamber strives to host inclusive and accessible events that enable all individuals to engage fully. For event assistance or additional information\, please contact:
\n\n
 \;
\nJames Porter
\nVice President\, Small &\; Minority Business
\nQuad Cities Chamber
\nO. 563.823.2688
\njporter@quadcitieschamber.com
\n \; LOCATION:Vibrant Arena at The MARK 1201 River Dr\, Moline\, IL Free parking available onsite UID:e.2843.24195 SEQUENCE:3 DTSTAMP:20260417T153121Z URL:https://member.quadcitieschamber.com/events/details/minority-business-summit-24195 END:VEVENT END:VCALENDAR