Friday, February 20, 2025
Birmingham Museum of Art
2000 Reverend Abraham Woods Jr Boulevard
Birmingham, AL 35203
6:00 - 8:00 PM
Networking Reception & Conference Kick Off
​Complimentary snacks & beverages
Saturday, February 21, 2026
Innovation Depot
1500 1st Ave N, Birmingham, AL 35203
8:30 - 9:00 AM
Check In
Complimentary breakfast and coffee
Find your spot and get ready for a great day!
9:00 - 9:30 AM - Event Starts
Opening Remarks
Complimentary breakfast and coffee
9:30 - 10:00 AM
Opening Keynote
Grinding While Grieving: World Building in the Wake of Loss
Joshua Baker
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For TLGBQ+ communities, the mandate for excellence carries high stakes, and as we become "the Other" in political, social, and familial spaces, failure to launch doesn't simply implicate the TLGBQ+ individuals' capacity to dream but also the capacity to survive. Thus, being able to name and make meaning of the diverse grief experienced in pursuit of these goals is central to not only how we develop as entrepreneurs but as whole humans. This workshop offers a respite to say the quiet part out loud, allowing participants to leave with a more intimate engagement with their own grief and strategic next steps for integrating their own grief story into the success worlds they seek to build.
10:00 - 10:30 AM
Building your Business with Everyday Resources
Megyn Rodriguez
10:30 - 11:00 AM - Break
Vendor & Networking Break
Complimentary snacks and beverages
11:00 - 11:30 AM
Design-Led Entrepreneurship for LGBTQ+ Founders
Kelli Lucas
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LGBTQ+ founders often build companies in environments where support networks, resources, and investor access can be uneven. In these conditions, design becomes a powerful equalizer. This talk explores how a design-led approach empowers LGBTQ+ entrepreneurs to create clarity, build trust, and differentiate their businesses — even when facing limited budgets or systemic bias.
11:30 - 12:00 PM
Founders are Dungeon Masters
Alberto Carrazco
12:00 PM - 1:00 PM - Lunch
Lunch
Complimentary lunch
1:00 - 2:30 PM
Pitch Competition
Watch founders pitch for a chance to win cash prizes
2:30 - 3:00 PM
Creative Burnout Recovery: Reigniting Passion When the Work Feels Heavy
Kimasia Ayers
3:00 - 3:30 PM
The Human Algorithm: Why Soft Skills Build Bridges Where Code Cannot
Kym'Bria Green
3:30 - 4:00 PM - Break
Vendor & Networking Break
Complimentary snacks & beverages
4:00 - 5:00 PM
Lightning Talks
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International Commercialization: It's Easier Than You Think! (David Sides & Carolyn Turner)
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​Now more than ever, navigating the intricacies of international business can feel overwhelming. Fortunately, there is a network of professionals who are here to assist you in successfully commercializing abroad. Come learn more about the free resources available to Alabama small businesses to help you explore international opportunities.
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Black Trans Future: The Power of Radical Imagination and Storytelling. (TC Caldwell)
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In this talk, we will discuss the importance of Black queer and trans storytelling as a vehicle for narrative change and organizing.
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Photography in the LGBTQIA+ Community (Tosha Gaines)
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Overcoming the Imposter: Finding Confidence in Your Unique Creative Voice and Owning Your Narrative (Kimasia Ayers)
5:00 - 5:30 PM
Closing Keynote
Building Brighter: The Future of Entrepreneurship Through the Eyes of a Gay Founder
Zac Brown
5:30 PM - Conference Close
Happy Hour
Pitch Competition Winner Announcements
Complimentary snacks & beverages (including non-alcoholic options)