Our Differences Make Us Dope w/ Houston White & Greg Cunningham

Join us for an inspiring evening with Houston White, creative visionary, cultural leader, and founder of the Houston White Men’s Room, and Greg Cunningham, Senior Executive Vice President and Chief Community Impact & Inclusion Officer at U.S. Bank. Together, they’ll explore Houston’s journey, the power of authenticity, and how embracing our differences can spark meaningful change.

Houston is invested in creating a better world, particularly for the Black community, and regularly collaborates with local government officials and business leaders to increase racial equity. The driving force behind his work over the past two decades has been to inspire a renaissance of optimism and action with and for people who believe in vibrant Black futures.

As a kid, Houston began selling t-shirts from his backpack and cutting hair for cash. He was a young go-getter determined to create a future all his own. His entrepreneurial path evolved into adulthood as he began building and renovating custom homes in the early 2000s. In many ways, the process of building a home is reflected in everything Houston does. You start with the foundation and build brick by brick. And that’s what drives him — the potential of the next brick, the next sign of progress, the next spark that might ignite a movement in the hearts and minds and hands of people who believe each of us can be catalysts for change.

In 2007, Houston founded Houston White Men’s Room, a barbershop in the Camdentown neighborhood of North Minneapolis. Known as the Black man’s country club, HWMR is more than a barbershop — it’s a gathering place for community building and inclusive celebration of Black excellence. Over the years, the shop has grown into a vibrant hub for people of any skin color and all walks of life who crave a culture of their own making.

Houston believes style is an act of authenticity, a means of asserting your point of view and bridging the distance between yourself and others. The Houston White brand of apparel and accessories was born to foster a community of people who see strength in cultural collision, who recognize that our differences make us dope, who lead with style, swagger, and heart.

As the founder of the Camdentown Business District in North Minneapolis, Houston activates growth initiatives for the community from annual events like the Blues & BBQ Festival to housing solutions that make newcomers to the city feel at home. And he’s just getting started.

Every action Houston takes is rooted in his belief that human connection is the most powerful force in nature, that we are here together to usher in a new era of humanity where we are all united in the pursuit of living our highest good.

This evening will highlight Houston’s philosophy that our differences make us dope — and how bridging communities through culture, commerce, and conversation can transform our city.

Greg Cunningham is Senior Executive Vice President and Chief Community Impact and Inclusion Officer for U.S. Bank and a member of the bank’s managing committee. He joined the bank in 2015 as Vice President of Customer Engagement, was promoted to Chief Diversity Officer in 2020 and added responsibilities for financial health and community engagement efforts in 2025. Greg also serves as Chairman of the U.S. Bank Foundation Board.

Schedule:

• 4:30–5:00 PM | Mixer with featured Black Cashmere cocktail
• 5:00–6:00 PM | Fireside chat with Houston White, moderated by SEVP Greg Cunningham
• 6:00–6:30 PM | Book signing and Meet & Greet

U.S. Bank is proud to sponsor the event and conversation this evening and welcome you all to the Minneapolis Club. Houston White has been a transformative figure in North Minneapolis, growing strength and community in Camdentown and beyond. On behalf of all of us at U.S. Bank, we are grateful to have been a trusted part of helping his dreams become reality through our financing and investment offerings.