Breakout Panelist
Stephanie Hagans
CEO
SDH Agency, Inc.
Breakout Session 1 — Building Your Business — Foundations, Formations, Formalities & Legalities
Speakers & Pitch
Learn From Experts. Pitch Your Business.
Two breakout sessions and a live pitch competition, all in one day.
2026 Lineup
Meet Our Confirmed Panelists
Breakout Panelist · Pitch Judge
Antonio Shackelford
CEO
Thrive360 Business Coaching
Breakout Session 1 — Building Your Business — Foundations, Formations, Formalities & Legalities
Breakout Panelist
Montez Diamond
Business Leader
The Indou Group
Breakout Session 1 — Building Your Business — Foundations, Formations, Formalities & Legalities
Breakouts
Two Sessions Built For Growth
11:15 AM – 12:00 PM
Breakout Session 1 — Building Your Business — Foundations, Formations, Formalities & Legalities
Business formation, structure, licensing, EIN, business banking and credit, compliance, and the essential first steps.
Speakers
Stephanie Hagans · Antonio Shackelford · Montez Diamond
1:00 – 1:45 PM
Breakout Session 2 — Funding the Business — How to Get Capital & Get Ready for It
Loans, grants, business credit, becoming loan- and grant-ready, financial documents, and available resources.
Speakers
Greater Work Wealth · SouthState Bank · ACE CDFI Lending
2:15 – 3:15 PM
Live Business Pitch Program
Entrepreneurs take the stage to pitch their business before a panel of expert judges. Each pitch is followed by targeted feedback, and winners are recognized during the closing session at 3:45 PM. Up to $3,000.00 is awarded to the winning pitch.
Applications are reviewed by the program committee — you will be notified by email if you are selected to pitch.
Judging Panel
Meet Our Pitch Judges
Breakout Panelist · Pitch Judge
Antonio Shackelford
CEO
Thrive360 Business Coaching
Breakout Session 1 — Building Your Business — Foundations, Formations, Formalities & Legalities
Pitch Judge
Latanya Buckner
Financial Controller
West Georgia Technical College
Live Business Pitch Program
Pitch Judge
Serena Rudd
Founder
Diverse Learners
Live Business Pitch Program
Application