In partnership, The Village Market and Shippo will host, Accelerate: Tools & Strategies to Push Forward. This event is geared to providing necessary resources in the wake of the high percentage of black-owned business closings during the COVID-19 pandemic. Speakers will give strategic business advice and tactical approach tools for entrepreneurs to accelerate in spite of.

OUR HOST

The Village Market’s mission is to support the sustainability of socially conscious, community-minded, black entrepreneurs and black-owned startups. We empower entrepreneurs through trainings, purpose-driven events, and community connection.

Shippo is an e-commerce technology company that brings e-commerce businesses and online marketplaces closer to their customers by negotiating bulk discounts with top carriers; making shipping effortless.

EVENT LINE UP:

6:00 PM | Fireside Chat

Dr. Key Hallmon, Founder, The Village Market

Angel Gregorio, Founder, The Spice Suite

6:30 PM | Panel Discussion

Kris Smith, Founder, The Black Techie

Phillip Akhzar, Founder, Arka

Corey Arvinger, Founder, Support Black Colleges

Mario Paganini, Head of Marketing, Shippo

Ashley Scorpio, VP of Partnerships, Hawke Media

OUR SPEAKERS

Dr. Key Hallmon is the Founder and CEO of the Village Market. Dr. Hallmon is committed to revitalizing and unifying her community by curating community led events that celebrate the arts, change makers, entrepreneurs, plant based advocates and educators. Dr. Hallmon is a social entrepreneur, curator, speaker and passionate educator.

Phillip Akhzar is the Founder and CEO of Arka, a custom packaging solutions company that enables its customers to source packaging or fulfillment online. Its client portfolio includes e-commerce and D2C businesses locally and internationally. Phillip’s experience includes over a decade’s experience in packaging.

Corey Arvinger is the Founder and CEO of Support Black Colleges, a global clothing brand whose sole mission is to uplift, inspire and encourage others to Support historically black colleges and universities. He has since gained notoriety for being an active co-ceo, scaling the business to multiple 7 figures and handling daily operations for the companies digital marketing strategy. Corey has also been recognized by Shopify as an owner of one of the fastest growing black-owned businesses on the platform.

Angel Gregorio is becoming one of the District of Columbia’s most recognized Next-Gen, black female entrepreneurs and influencers of our time. Angel is the founder and owner of The Spice Suite, a growing community-centric spice boutique, located in the city’s Takoma Park community. The Spice Suite is aimed at not only providing its patrons with unique, interactive culinary experiences, but was also established with a mission to support and empower other local grass-root business owners to maximize their own potential and success.

Mario Paganini serves as Head of Marketing at Shippo, an e-commerce technology company that simplifies shipping and helps brands get closer to their customers. Professionally, Mario brings a wealth of experience leading marketing teams for top digital-first companies.

Ashley Scorpio is a seasoned digital strategist with expertise in communications, marketing, advertising, and partnerships. Ashley has worked primarily in startup and agency settings with a focus on e-commerce and blockchain. Over the years, Ashley has worked with a variety of brands, organizations, startups, personalities, and public figures to meet their digital growth goals through full funnel performance marketing campaigns across multiple channels - in house, at agencies, and through her own consultancy.

Kris Smith is the Founder and CEO of TECHnically Yours, LLC, which is a Business Technology consulting firm that helps service-based businesses organize, systemize, automate, and monetize their ventures. She helps her clients achieve these goals using business process management, workflow automation, business technology strategy, technology forecasting, and business technology systems.

All registered attendees will receive a special gift. YOU DONT WANT TO MISS THIS!