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jasmine phillips
Featured in the Birmingham Times
For the past 20 years, the AG Gaston Conference has helped African Americans excel in entrepreneurship and business ownership. The conference has served as a platform for outstanding leaders and business owners to share their experiences and foster an environment of celebration and empowerment. The A.G. Gaston Conference has provided inspiration and guidance to the African American business community in Birmingham and across the United States. The conference is positioned as a living tribute to the vision of the late AG Gaston to empower small businesses and foster a sense of unity and purpose among attendees.
The 20th Annual AG Gaston Conference will be held from Tuesday, February 13, 2024 through Wednesday, February 14, 2024 at the Birmingham-Jefferson Convention Complex (BJCC) in downtown Birmingham. This two-day event is a must-see for business owners, aspiring entrepreneurs, corporate leaders, and community advocates. Several hundred people are expected to attend the conference this year.
Dr. Legacy AG Gaston
The AG Gaston Conference was inspired by the life and work of Arthur George (AG) Gaston, a successful Alabama businessman during the Jim Crow era. He built his more than $40 million fortune from a business empire spanning communications, real estate, and insurance. The late AG Gaston, named “Entrepreneur of the Century” by Black Enterprise Magazine, was the founder of AG Gaston Motels, Citizens Federal Savings and Loans, Booker T. Washington Insurance Company, Booker T. He was the mastermind behind Washington Broadcasting and had headquarters for all of this. In Birmingham, Alabama.
Impact of AG Gaston Conference
For more than 20 years, the AG Gaston Conference has played a pivotal role in the field of entrepreneurship and business development. This gathering has served to foster dynamic exchanges between small and medium-sized business owners and key figures from the corporate and investment sectors. The conference has consistently provided an engaging platform for hundreds of small business owners to engage directly with industry leaders and investors, fostering an extensive and influential network.
The value of the AG Gaston Conference extends beyond networking opportunities. It has emerged as an important source of knowledge and resources for entrepreneurs at various stages of their journey. From experienced business owners to those in the early stages of their entrepreneurial aspirations, there’s something for everyone to learn during the conference.
In addition to serving as a hub of information and connections, the AG Gaston Conference has also played an important role in inspiring entrepreneurship and fostering culture. It has effectively bridged the gap between small and medium-sized enterprises and large enterprises, creating an ecosystem where ideas and resources are exchanged and fostering mutual growth and innovation.
“It always felt right to celebrate an iconic Black business mogul in Birmingham, Alabama during Black History Month,” says Bob Dickerson, co-organizer of the AG Gaston conference. “Gaston’s influence is still being felt here, and some of our speakers and panelists will elaborate on it at our next summit.”
What to expect at the 2024 AG Gaston Conference
The AG Gaston Conference is more than just an event. For more than 20 years, we have been a catalyst for growth and connectivity between small and medium-sized businesses. The conference has provided unparalleled opportunities for small businesses to learn, connect and evolve through workshops and networking sessions. Topics covered during the conference range from business development, access to capital, community building, marketing and branding, and more.
For the first time, we are hosting a small business expo that will feature approximately a dozen vendors, business owners and community organizations from across Birmingham. The expo will feature dozens of small business owners, retailers, nonprofits, and more. The conference concludes with “The Connect,” a day party experience that provides a more relaxed atmosphere for the business community to network, celebrate accomplishments, and build lasting relationships.
A snapshot of the conference schedule can be found below.
Tuesday, February 13, 2024
9:00am – 6:00pm | Now accepting registrations
10am – 7pm | Small and Medium Enterprise Expo
11:00am-11:45am | Youth presentation
12:00 – 1:15 PM | AG Gaston Legacy Luncheon – Mel Gravely
1:30pm to 2:30pm | Keynote Speaker – Nicholas Perkins
2:30pm – 3pm | Destroy
3:00pm – 3:45pm | Keynote Speaker
3:45pm – 5pm | Thoughts on AG Gaston
5:00pm – 7:00pm | AG Gaston Legacy Reception and Awards Program
Wednesday, February 14, 2024
8:30am – 5pm | Now accepting registrations
9:00am – 5:00pm | Small and Medium Enterprise Expo
9am – 10am | Continental Breakfast
9:15am – 10am | BBRC Business Opportunity Forum
10:00am – 11:00am | Green Power Presentation
11:00am – 11:50am | Keynote Speech – Natalie Madelia Coffield
12:00 – 1:30 PM | Green Power Luncheon – Dr. George Fraser
2:00pm – 5:00pm | Closing Reception and Day Party
For the full schedule of events, please visit www.aggastonconference.biz.
speaker lineup
The A.G. Gaston Conference has become an asset and platform for African American and entrepreneurship in the Birmingham community, and was founded by Operation Hope founder John Hope Bryant, National Urban League President and We provide significant expertise from past speakers such as Chief Executive Officer Marc Morial, Ph.D. Bennet College President Emeritus Julian Malveaux and many others who testified about their trials, challenges and triumphs as community and business leaders.
Dr. George Fraser, founder and chairman of FraserNet Inc., was one of the first speakers at the inaugural AG Gaston Conference in 2005.. He will be one of the featured speakers at this year’s conference. Dr. Fraser founded FraserNet Inc. 25 years ago with a vision to lead a global networking movement that brings together diverse talent to increase opportunities for people of African descent. Dr. Fraser rose to leadership positions at Procter & Gamble, United Way, and Ford Motor Company. Dr. Fraser is also the award-winning publisher of SuccessGuide Worldwide: The Networking Guide to Black Resources. He is the founder of his annual PowerNetworking Conference. The conference brings together thousands of Black professionals, business executives, and community leaders to learn the art and science of networking, entrepreneurship, and wealth creation.
“Selected once again to be a speaker at the A.G. Gaston Conference, one of Black America’s premier conferences, named after the legendary entrepreneur, civil rights activist, and visionary leader A.G. Gaston.” We are honored to have been recognized as such,” said founder Dr. George Fraser. “As a speaker, it is my greatest honor and great challenge to engage with such people of entrepreneurial and civil rights to deliver powerful, informative, and uplifting messages.”
Other featured speakers include award-winning entrepreneur, philanthropist, political appointee, and economic activist Natalie Madeira Coffield; Mel Gravely, CEO of Gravely Group. Michael Green, Vice President, New Economy, Bitwise Industries. Melody Anderson, Senior Vice President, PNC Bank. Charlotte Shaw, executive director and CEO of the Birmingham-Jefferson County Transit Authority; Nicholas Perkins, owner of Fuddruckers. AL Williams, Southern Regional Minority Supplier Development Council Chairman. Daniel Hines, owner of CREED63, and many others.
“Twenty years is a good year,” Dickerson said. “We can remember the events and organizations that have come and gone in that era. There are other summits, dinners and recognition programs, but we are still here and our commemorative logo shows us As we enter our 20th year, we’re here to stay.” The community is invited to attend the AG Gaston Conference on February 13th and 14th at the Birmingham-Jefferson Civic Center. I hope you will. ”
How to register for the 20th AG Gaston Conference
Tickets are available for purchase for the 20th Annual AG Gaston Conference. To register to attend the 20th Annual AG Gaston Conference in Birmingham, Alabama, please visit www.aggastonconference.biz.
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