“Securing Our Place in the Future” Set for June 24–26 at the Westin DC Downtown
WASHINGTON, D.C., June 22, 2026, /3BL/ — The Howard University & PNC National Center for Entrepreneurship will host its 2026 HBCU Empower Conference June 24–26 at the Westin DC Downtown in Washington, D.C.
This national convening brings together founders, investors and ecosystem leaders to explore how entrepreneurs can plant seeds for prosperity and ownership that extend far beyond a single generation.
For centuries, Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) have served as engines of ingenuity, resilience and leadership, producing entrepreneurs and institution builders. Today, that legacy enters a new chapter as artificial intelligence (AI) transforms the global economy, reshapes industries, and redefines how businesses are built.
Now in its fourth year, the summit has grown into one of the nation’s premier convenings dedicated to HBCU entrepreneurship and innovation. With a theme of “Securing Our Place in the Future,” HBCU Empower will bring together professionals and students from across the country to explore how AI can drive entrepreneurial wealth and generational prosperity. Participants will examine how tradition and technology intersect to create pathways of ownership and opportunity.
“This summit reflects our continuing commitment to supporting entrepreneurs with the tools, insights, and connections they need to thrive,” said Johnny Graham, Ph.D., national executive director of the Howard University & PNC National Center for Entrepreneurship. “For students, faculty, and experienced and new founders, this conference will provide the connections, capital, and conversations needed to ensure that entrepreneurs are not just participants in the innovation economy but are leading it.”
The PNC Foundation supports the Howard University & PNC National Center for Entrepreneurship’s mission to build resources and support for entrepreneurs across the country. Since its founding, the National Center has awarded more than $800,000 in funding to students, faculty, staff, and community entrepreneurs; engaged 83 HBCUs and built a program community of more than 7,500 participants and attendees.
“Helping to expand access and opportunity is part of what community impact means to us at PNC,” said Stacy Juchno, PNC chief corporate responsibility officer. “When we help entrepreneurs succeed, we make positive impact in our communities, through job creation and small business expansion. We’re proud to support this work.”
This year’s conference highlights include the Mecca Marketplace and the HBCU Empower Pitch Competition, along with mainstage panels, expert-led workshops, and networking receptions. The conference closes with the HBCU Empower Awards, celebrating student, faculty and alumni innovators.
Attendees will hear from business experts and entrepreneurs, including: Cornell McBride Jr., president of Design Essentials; Donald Cravins Jr., president and CEO of the National Minority Supplier Development Council; Shaina Rainford, founder and CEO of Bask and Lather Co.; Nasir Qadree, founder & managing partner of Zeal Capital Partners; and Natalie Madeira Cofield, president and CEO of Association for Enterprise Opportunity.
Registration details and the program agenda are available at hbcuempower.com. Members of the media can request press credentials by contacting the Howard University Office of University Communications at [email protected].
Media Contacts:
Carol Wilkerson, [email protected]
Angie Carducci, [email protected]
###
About The PNC Foundation
The PNC Foundation, which receives its principal funding from The PNC Financial Services Group, Inc. (NYSE: PNC), actively supports organizations that provide services for the benefit of communities in which it has a significant presence. The Foundation focuses its philanthropic mission on early childhood education and community and economic development, which includes the arts and culture. Through PNC Grow Up Great®, its signature cause that began in 2004, PNC has created a bilingual $500 million, multi-year initiative to help prepare children from birth to age 5 for success in school and life.
About The Howard University & PNC National Center for Entrepreneurship
The Howard University & PNC National Center for Entrepreneurship is a national consortium & hub focused on enhancing entrepreneurship education at Historically Black Colleges & Universities (HBCUs) and empowering entrepreneurs around the country. The National Center for Entrepreneurship enhances the success and growth of businesses through providing programming, capital, curriculum, research, and other resources in collaboration with Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) and their surrounding communities.
