Conference 2022 Report

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The reSURGEnce 2022 conference held in New York City was a transformative event for Black businesses across New York’s five boroughs, the state of New York, the Americas and Africa. With an emphasis on addressing opportunities lacking for Black entrepreneurs as well as narrowing wealth gaps within Black & Brown communities; this conference attracted diverse attendees while also garnering extensive media attention. Here we highlight key outcomes from the said conference that contributed towards the empowerment of various regions' Black-owned enterprises.

The Conference Attendee

Conference 2022 report - New York City’s mayor Eric Adams speaks
New York City’s mayor Eric Adams discusses key opportunities for Black-owned businesses throughout the city.

ReSURGEnce 2022 proved to be a memorable year for those who attended its events. With attendees coming from all over the five boroughs and beyond, these gatherings provided ample opportunities for learning and collaboration on issues affecting Black Businesses as well as society overall. The media was present throughout each conference capturing both enthusiasm among participants and speakers alike. Ultimately these conferences had an impactful effect on local businesses while also providing valuable insights into how individuals can make positive changes within their communities. All in all ReSURGEnces' success surpassed expectations making it truly unforgettable!

Resurgence 2022 report - New York City Mayor Eric Adams and community empowerment strategist and conference organizer Rev. Dennis Dillon discuss support for Black owned businesses at last year’s conference
New York City Mayor Eric Adams and community empowerment strategist and conference organizer Rev. Dennis Dillon discuss support for Black owned businesses at last year’s conference
Rev. Dennis Dillon picture with various attendees of note at a 2022 event
Rev. Dennis Dillon picture with various attendees of note at a 2022 event
Conference 2022 report - Actor Malik Yoba, president of Yoba Development, discusses real estate development opportunities and initiatives along with the Real Estate Development panel during the 2022 conference in New York.
Actor Malik Yoba, president of Yoba Development, discusses real estate development opportunities and initiatives along with the Real Estate Development panel during the 2022 conference in New York.
Conference 2022 report - author Dr. George Fraser with Rodney Foxworth, president of the Ashmond Group and Life and business development coach Carmelo Garcia, former Deputy Mayor of Economic Development for the City of Newark, New Jersey.
Business networking expert and New York Times multi- bestselling author Dr. George Fraser with Rodney Foxworth, president of the Ashmond Group and Life and business development coach Carmelo Garcia, former Deputy Mayor of Economic Development for the City of Newark, New Jersey

Conference Attendance Statistics

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The ReSURGEnce 2022 conference saw an impressive turnout with a total of 486 attendees. The event attracted individuals from various sectors including business owners and operators (67.9%), clergy/faith leaders (17.4%), government officials/executives (12%) as well as speakers and presenters (14.6%). Furthermore, corporate executives along with non-profit organizations were also represented by 7.4% of participants. This gathering proved successful in bringing together people who shared common interests towards uplifting Black owned enterprises through empowerment initiatives.

The event was a success in terms of diversity with participants coming from various regions. New York City residents dominated the attendance list accounting for 68.5% while those outside this region made 31.5%. In terms of racial representation it is encouraging to note that inclusivity played a role as 98%t were Black and 2% belonged to other ethnicities. This shows progress towards creating an environment where everyone feels welcome regardless of their backgrounds. Overall this conference proved itself capable of bringing together people from different walks of life under one roof.

Media Reach & Following

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The ReSURGEnce conference received substantial media attention, with over 27 outlets covering the event. Prominent news channels and publications such as Fox 5 New York, My 9 WWOR-TV, 1010 WINS-All News All Day, The Bloc, Spectrum TV, The New York Daily News, WBLS, WLIB, and WBAI provided extensive coverage. The collective media efforts resulted in a remarkable impact, including Gross Impressions of 1,093,443, total interactions of 26,402, and impressive Live Streams and Post-event Viewership of 7,269,500.

The conference's influence extended beyond its duration. As of June 7th, 2023, the reSURGEnce movement boasted an impressive online following with a total count of over seventy three thousand six hundred followers and eight thousand six hundred ninety one posts/reposts on various social media platforms. This extensive digital reach played a critical role in propagating the message about empowerment for Black businesses across different communities worldwide. With such remarkable outcomes from this event it is clear that the impact will continue to resonate far into the future.

Execution and Impact

The ReSURGEnce 2022 conference was more than just a forum for discussions; it served as an impetus for tangible results. The execution of the event resulted in several notable outcomes that demonstrate its success in promoting Black business growth:

The conference was successful by creating 9 MWBE certifications and candidates. This achievement highlights the conference’s dedication to fostering growth within its community by providing support where it matters most.

To ensure that progress continued beyond the event itself three follow-up workshops were arranged by organizers of the conference. These sessions played a crucial role in nurturing skills among participants while also fostering collaboration between like-minded individuals within the community.

The conference sparked two development projects that are set to have a significant impact on employment opportunities, economic growth, and community wellbeing. These initiatives hold great promise for those they serve. The benefits of these efforts cannot be overstated as they will contribute positively towards creating sustainable change in the Black and Brown community at large.

The conference proved fruitful in that there are negotiations in process for 4 loans. This access to capital has the potential to open new opportunities for these entrepreneurs who may not otherwise have had such easy access to funding sources.

The conference proved to be a vital link between Black businesses and government/corporate entities resulting in three ongoing discussions regarding potential contracts. These opportunities could lead to unprecedented growth for the involved companies. The possibilities are endless!

 

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Conclusion

The ReSURGEnce 2022 conference made a significant impact on empowering Black businesses and addressing the wealth gap in Black and Brown communities. With an impressive turnout of diverse attendees and extensive media coverage this event served as a catalyst for transformative change. The tangible outcomes achieved through certifications workshops development projects loans and potential contracts demonstrate how effective this conference was in driving progress forward. This is just one example of how events like these can make real differences within our community today.