Description

Quad Cities Chamber | Minority Business Summit 
Wednesday, October 29, 2025 
Vibrant Arena at the MARK, Moline
 8:30 a.m. check-in | light breakfast
 9 a.m. - 3 p.m. Program

FREE EVENT | Advanced Registration Required
First 100 people through the doors will receive a free Apple Square ($59 value)!

Calling all minority business owners & entrepreneurs!

Get 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.

Hear from Abena Sankofa Imhotep, award-winning author and activist, and Vanessa McNeal, transformational coach and national speaker, in two dynamic keynote sessions.  

Breakout 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.
 

Meet Our Keynote Speakers:

Abena Sankofa Imhotep
Sankofa Literary & Empowerment Group

Abena is an award-winning author, scholar and activist whose work celebrates Africana, challenges historical narratives and advocates for a just world. 

As 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.

Vanessa McNeal
Mental & Emotional Mastery Solutions
Vanessa 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.



AGENDA
8:30 a.m.      Check-in, light breakfast & networking

9:00 a.m.      Welcome message

9:10 a.m.       Opening Keynote | Abena Sankofa Imhotep, Sankofa Literary & Empowerment Group

10:00 a.m.    Exhibitor tables open

10:30 a.m.    Fueling your Growth-Access to Capital Panel featuring:
                        Alvaro Macias | Ascentra Credit Union, Eileen Roethler | Quad City Bank & Trust,
                        Frank Perez | Bridge Investment Community Development Corporation (CDFI),
                        Kelly McCarthy | US Bank, Lonnie Rays | Business Owner, and
                        Ann Friederichs | SBDC

11:10 a.m.    Breakout workshops:
                        Option 1: Navigating Government Contracts & Certifications | Dr. Regina Smith,
                        Strategic Exceptions and Maria Ramos-Elisondo, SBDC
                   
                        Option 2: Accounting Essentials | Molly Mayfield, GreenFlex Financial

11:50 p.m.    Lunch and exhibitors

12:50 p.m.   Digital Marketing | Jasmine Butler, KWQC

1:30 p.m.     AI for Small Business | Padmini Soni, Rezonance AI

2:10 p.m.    Closing Keynote | Vanessa McNeal, Mental & Emotional Mastery Solutions

2:50 p.m.    Closing remarks

3:00 p.m.    Program concludes