Entrepreneur’s Conference Inspires Business Minds
Posted on 24. May, 2012 by citizen in Hyde Park, Local News
Orrin "Checkmate" Hudson, founder and Executive Director of BE SOMEONE will bring his A Game to the Black Enterprise conference as well as his very large chess board and pieces.
CHICAGO — BLACK ENTERPRISE will kick off its 2012 Entrepreneurs Conference + Expo today at the Chicago Hilton located 720 S. Michigan Ave. in Chicago with a powerhouse line-up of some of the nation’s most accomplished and celebrated entrepreneurs, including ABC’s Shark Tank co-star Daymond John.
The three-day power conference, which brings together more than 1,200 of the country’s leading entrepreneurs and corporate executives, is designed to provide attendees with the newest and most innovative strategies from today’s top business minds.
Orrin “Checkmate” Hudson, founder and Executive Director of BE SOMEONE will bring his A Game to the conference as well as his very large chess board and pieces. Participants and attendees will be able to challenge him to a friendly game of chess and see why his work has been featured nationally. Orrin’s message is “brains before bullets; think it out, don’t shoot it out; push pawns not drugs.”
BE SOMEONE is an Atlanta-based 501(c)3 non-profit organization that focuses on helping youth, particularly at-risk youth, in the community discover their potential and learn the skills necessary to win in any situation. Since BE SOMEONE opened more than a decade ago, thousands of children have proven to themselves and others that they can achieve anything they set their minds to by learning the game of chess.
As a former state trooper Hudson believes prevention is better than detention so he is taking a proactive approach to teaching teens. He states, “Every move you make has a consequence just like in the game of chess. You can make one move in life and never recover, so think things through because one move could cause you the game!”
Daymond John, founder and CEO of the urban clothing line FUBU and CEO of Shark Branding, will help kick-off the Black Enterprise conference’s opening event, "Equity Date with An Angel," during which attendees will gain insight on how to position their business and craft their pitch to secure capital from angel investors.
Daymond John, founder and CEO of the urban clothing line FUBU and CEO of Shark Branding, will help kick-off the opening event, “Equity Date With An Angel,” during which attendees will gain insights into how to position their business and craft their pitch to secure capital from angel investors. Select participants of the session will have the opportunity to meet one-on-one with a private investor during business coaching sessions held throughout the conference.
Other confirmed speakers include:
Tavis Smiley, President & CEO, The Smiley Group Inc.
- Michael Baisden, Author, Activist & Host of The Michael Baisden Show
- Sree Sreenivasan, Journalism Educator at Columbia University
- Kim Coles, Comedian & TV Personality
- Chris Genteel, Business Development Manager, Global Diversity Program, Google, Inc.
The 2012 Black Enterprise Entrepreneurs Conference hosted boasts high-powered sessions on critical industry topics such as international business, finding angel investors, social media marketing, the art of creative partnerships, and more.
For the aspiring entrepreneur, The Small Business Success(TM) Bootcamp will offer a step-by-step approach to kick-starting a new enterprise. Plus, the Black Enterprise Elevator Pitch Competition will award $10,000 for the best new business idea and the Teenpreneur program will teach business fundamentals to youths, ages 13-17.
For additional information on the BLACK ENTERPRISE conference, call l 800-209-7229. For additional information on BE SOMEONE, contact Orrin Checkmate Hudson at 678-526-0292or visit their website at http://www.besomeone.org.
