DBusiness is launching its 2023 Breakfast Series on Tuesday, Feb. 7, from 8:30 to 10:30 a.m. at The Gem Theatre at 333 Madison St. in downtown Detroit. The event will feature a panel discussion led by Ken Harris, PhD. on how minority businesses can scale using specific techniques and channels within their respective industries.
The breakfast will include a panel of leading experts in Michigan’s business and startup sectors who will discuss how to launch and grow minority-owned businesses. This event is designed for those who are curious about how to start, operate, and expand a minority-led business, along with providing a discussion on available financial loan and incentive opportunities. Following the panel discussion, the floor will be opened for questions from attendees. The event begins at 8:30 a.m. with networking, coffee, and a buffet breakfast, and the panel discussion begins at 9:30 a.m. One-of-a-kind networking opportunities and compelling business content across a wide range of industries and topics await you at every DBusiness Breakfast Series.
The discussion will be moderated by Kenneth L. Harris, Ph.D., who’s best known for addressing social-economic challenges within the global black community. Harris serves as the 16th president and CEO of the National Business League, founded by Booker T. Washington in 1900. The organization is the first and oldest trade association for black businesses in America, and today has access to more than 3.2 million black-owned businesses.
The panel includes local business leaders, including:
- Lawrence Garcia, a seasoned attorney and former Corporation Counsel for the City of Detroit, he is senior counsel with Miller Canfield where he leverages his experience in local government and as a trial attorney in the firm’s Labor and Employment practice group. His areas of expertise include trial advocacy, government relations, and crisis management.
- Racheal Allen, a Lean Six Sigma certified strategy, systems, and operations consultant with nearly 20 years of experience leading and serving Detroit based startups and nonprofits. After scaling her first startup into a six-figure insurance agency, she piloted initiatives in the legal, retail, and service industries.
- Larry Brinker Jr., an award-winning entrepreneur, impact investor, and mentor. He serves as president and CEO of Brinker, a group of family-owned and operated commercial construction service companies responsible for more than $4 billion in construction projects. The developments play a critical role in the transformation and revitalization of Detroit. He also serves as CEO of the Brinker Family Asset Management Co. In 2021, he co-founded Capsa Money Inc., a banking model providing the underbanked with better access to essential financial services.
- Ron E. Hall, President and CEO, Bridgewater is an automotive interiors manufacturing firm in Detroit specializing in just-in-time assembly, sequencing, and delivery of seating systems. The company employs more than 2,400 people at four facilities in the U.S. Hall has been with the company in various roles of increasing responsibility since 2007, succeeding his father, company founder, Ron Hall Sr., in 2015.
General admission tickets are $65 each and can be purchased on Eventbrite. Ticket price includes networking and a strolling breakfast at 8:30 a.m. followed by the panel discussion at 9:30 a.m. Attendees are encouraged to park in the Gem Garage at 1910 Brush St.
For more information on tickets and sponsorships, contact Cathleen Francois at cfrancois@hour-media.com.
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