Featured Guests

The Big Dipper Innovation Summit will spotlight the foremost thought leaders and talents in tech, innovation, sustainability, entrepreneurship, music, and culture.

Keep an eye on this space, there is even more to come!*

*Guests subject to change

2024 Guest Innovators

  • Jewel Burks Solomon

    Jewel Burks Solomon

    Google Exec turned Founder & Investor
    Learn More

  • Ronald Blaylock

    Ronald Blaylock

    Founder, Managing Partner of GenNx360 Capital Partners
    Learn More

  • Uyo Okebie-Eichelberger

    Uyo Okebie-Eichelberger

    Maternity Fashion Mogul
    Learn More

  • H. Jerome Russell, Jr.

    H. Jerome Russell, Jr.

    President, H. J. Russell & Company
    Learn More

  • Bakari Sellers

    Bakari Sellers

    Prolific Cultural Voice
    Learn More

  • Ed Baine

    Ed Baine

    President, Dominion Energy Virginia
    Learn More

  • Rev. Dr. W. Franklyn Richardson

    Rev. Dr. W. Franklyn Richardson

    Internationally Renowned Spiritual Leader
    Learn More

  • Majora Carter

    Majora Carter

    Urban Revitalization Strategist
    Learn More

  • Dr. Makola Abdullah

    Dr. Makola Abdullah

    President of Virginia State University
    Learn More

  • Jade Agudosi

    Jade Agudosi

    Co-Founder, Xceleader
    Learn More

  • Dr. Chris Brooks

    Dr. Chris Brooks

    Trailblazing Venture Capitalist
    Learn More

  • Monteil Crawley

    Monteil Crawley

    Principal, Architect, SmithGroup
    Learn More

  • Dr. Lydia Johnson

    Dr. Lydia Johnson

    Board-Certified Dermatologist, Lifestyle Medicine Consultant, Trauma-Informed Professional Coach
    Learn More

  • Rafiq Kalam Id-Din

    Rafiq Kalam Id-Din

    Founder, Ember Charter Schools
    Learn More

  • Natasha S. Alford

    Natasha S. Alford

    Digital Media Executive
    Learn More

  • Robert L. Greene (Bob)

    Robert L. Greene

    President & CEO, National Association of Investment Companies (NAIC)
    Learn More

  • Taylor Scott

    Taylor Scott

    Founder, RVA Community Fridges
    Learn More

  • Pastor Vernon Gordon

    Pastor Vernon Gordon

    Lead Pastor of The Life Church
    Learn More

  • Dr. Malcolm Muhammad

    Dr. Malcolm Muhammad

    Entrepreneurship Engagement Strategist
    Learn More

  • Lizzie Brown

    Lizzie Brown

    Educator Turned Artrepreneur
    Learn More

  • Dayton Schroeter

    Dayton Schroeter

    Vice President and Design Director, SmithGroup
    Learn More

  • Dr. Nashlie H. Sephus

    Dr. Nashlie H. Sephus

    AI/ML Evangelist for Amazon
    Learn More

  • Chris Hairston-White

    Chris Hairston-White

    Community Pillar
    Learn More

  • James Warren

    James Warren

    Vice President of Brand Strategy, JMI
    Founder/CEO of Share More Stories
    Learn More

  • Nneka Rimmer

    Nneka Rimmer

    Independent Board Director, Constellation Energy Corporation
    Learn More

  • Dr. Robert T. Nelson Jr.

    Dr. Robert T. Nelson Jr.

    Urologic Oncologist, Virginia Urology
    Learn More

  • Ashley Williams

    Ashley Williams

    Curator, The Well Collective
    Learn More

  • Kevin Nicholson

    Kevin Nicholson

    Global Fixed Income CIO, RiverFront Investment Group
    Learn More

  • Shakia Gullette Warren

    Shakia Gullette Warren

    Executive Director, Black History Museum and Cultural Center of Virginia
    Learn More

  • Luke Cooper

    Luke Cooper

    Tech Entrepreneur & Investor
    Learn More

  • Taikein M. Cooper

    Taikein M. Cooper

    Executive Director, Richmond Public Schools Education Foundation
    Learn More

  • Dr. Anthony M. Chandler, Sr.

    Dr. Anthony M. Chandler, Sr.

    Senior Pastor of Cedar Street Baptist Church
    Learn More

  • Nneka N'namdi

    Nneka N'namdi

    Founder & COO, Fight Blight B’more
    Learn More

  • Aaron Montgomery

    Aaron Montgomery

    Managing Partner, The Montgomery Development Group
    Learn More

  • Dr. Tomika L. Ferguson

    Dr. Tomika L. Ferguson

    Asst. Dean, Student Affairs And Inclusive Excellence, Virginia Commonwealth University
    Learn More

  • Ron Bailey

    Ron Bailey

    Owner, Rat Race Management
    Learn More

  • Lloyd Eley

    Lloyd Eley

    Offshore Wind Projects Manager, Dominion Energy
    Learn More

  • Matt Talley

    Matt Talley

    Curator/Storyteller, Eaton DC
    Learn More

  • Jason Kamras

    Jason Kamras

    Superintendent of Richmond Public Schools
    Learn More

  • Bill Cooper

    Bill Cooper

    Director, Diversity Strategies, Atlantic Constructors, Inc.
    Learn More