3 DAYS.
GENERATIONAL POSSIBILITIES.
DELTA FEST At-A-Glance
DELTA FEST offers three interactive tracks designed to inspire, activate, and support attendees across the Deep South. Sessions are grounded in real-life tools, lived experiences, and visionary thinking.
Below’s a snapshot of the festival agenda. It’s subject to change, but all changes will only make it more impactful.
DELTA FEST will be hosted by Rita Brent.
SEPTEMBER 16
The FIRST ALIGNMENT
2:00 - 3:30 PM
Where We Begin
@ Environmental Learning Center
DELTA FEST opens at the lake, on fertile ground, where we will declare the future we want in word and sound. The Gathering Kickoff features Benjamin Cone III—founder of Worship and lead vocalist of the Mississippi Mass Choir—followed by the thunderous, unifying energy of the Jackson State Sonic Boom Pep Band.
5:00 - 8:00 PM
We Have Everything We Need, Fireside Chat with Cortez Bryant
@ Jackson Convention Center | Dinner served
The evening opens with Rita Brent setting the tone, grounding us in a moment that may one day be remembered as the origin story of a movement. Mayor John Horhn will extend Jackson’s welcome, followed by HOPE’s steadfast CEO, Bill Bynum. Poet Amanda Furdge, daughter of the Mississippi Delta, will call us to speak the future into being. As dinner is served, attendees will settle in for a fireside chat with music executive Cortez Bryant, in conversation with Lisa Yancey.
Fireside Chat with Cortez Bryant, Moderated by Lisa Yancey
SEPTEMBER 17 - 18
IGNITING PROSPERITY
@ Jackson Convention Center
8:00 - 9:00 AM
Breakfast Buffet
Morning nourishment and informal networking
8:00 - 9:00 AM
Bold Reveals & Aspirations of What’s Possible
These are not just keynotes, these are visionaries and doers--reminding us of what’s possible through the telling of their stories. Each morning spark speaks from experience, weaving what they know and what they believe to be possible.
Sept 17: Dr. Shena Ashley, President of Capital One and Bill Bynum, CEO of HOPE, on community-centered growth and their new benefits strategy.
Sept 18: Amin Irving, Founder & CEO of Ginosko Development Company, reflecting on the journey of building a real estate development enterprise—grounded in self-belief, his mother’s encouragement, and the catalytic support of a CDFI.
10:15 AM - 12:00 PM
When We Gather, Morning Breakout Sessions
12:00 - 1:30 PM
Lunch, Conversation, & Storytelling
Plenary & Inspiration
Lunch at DELTA FEST nourishes more than the body—it’s designed to feed the soul and sharpen our sense of opportunity. Each day brings a powerful conversation.
Sept 17: Plenary with Mayors John Horhn (Jackson, MS), Steven Reed (Montgomery, AL), Randall Woodfin (Birmingham, AL), and Frank Scott (Little Rock, AR), moderated by Alaina Beverly, Executive Vice President, Black Economic Alliance Foundation.
Sept 18: A culinary and cultural journey with Nick Wallace, Executive Chef & Founder of Nick Wallace Culinary.
1:45 - 4:30 PM
When We Gather, Afternoon Breaktout Sessions
(See pdf to view breakout descriptions on mobile.)
Grounding, Reflection, & Activation
At DELTA FEST, the purpose is crystal clear: to be a gathering ground where information, resources, and opportunities flow to those who live and build in the Deep South. This is not just an event—it is a strategy to catalyze prosperity across the region.
Each day closes with space to connect, build relationships, and identify the opportunities that feel right to pursue. No one leaves empty-handed.
Sept 17: Shaun Donovan, CEO of Enterprise Community Partners, on sparking a national movement for equitable growth.
Sept 18: Bill Bynum & Lisa Yancey, Producers and Co-Creators of DELTA FEST, anchoring the room in vision, reciprocal value, and the power of an activated ecosystem moving with intention.
Tap here to view Breakout Session details on your phone.
1:45 - 4:30 PM
When We Gather, Afternoon Breaktout Sessions
WHEN WE GATHER | Wednesday, SEPTember 17
Session Time | Session Titles | Session Titles | Session Titles |
|---|---|---|---|
10:15-11a | "Community Ownership, CLTs & Stewardship as Pathways to Wealth Creation" Presented by: Oji Alexander | "Your First Million: Building Scalable Ideas Into Profitable Businesses" Presented by: Cortney Woodruff | "Building Stronger Communities, Stronger Working Futures: Accelerating Opportunity Together" Presented by: Dr. Courtney Taylor |
11:15-12p | "Developing a Multi-Generational Real Estate Investment Strategy" Presented by: Herschell Hamilton | "Building a Small Business Support Ecosystem" Presented by: Kendra Key | "Our Grass is Green: How to Build Neighborhood-Owned Economic Infrastructure Ourselves" Presented by: Nia Umoja |
1:45 - 2:30p | "Dreaming at Scale: Turning Vision Into Strategy for Communities, Regions, and Nations" Presented by: Lisa Yancey | "Developing Capacity to Create and Preserve Affordable Housing in Rural Communities" Co-Presented by: Robin Wolff and Adrienne Norwood | "Building on Your Advantages" Presented by: Rebecca Kaufman |
2:45 - 3:30p | "Kitchen Table Gathering: Black Power Scorecard" Presented by: Andre Perry | "Goldman Sachs 10KSB: Matching Capital and Capacity" Co-Presented by: David B. Payton and Percy Manson | "Innovating to Build Rural Housing" Presented by: Nick Mitchell-Bennet |
3:45-4:30p | "Amplifying Community Voice to Advance Economic Prosperity" Presented by: Perry Perkins | "Building Prosperity Through Culture: From Creativity to Economic Power" Co-Presented by: Scott Hutcheson and Gerri Hobdy | "Revitalizing Southern Cities" A Conversation with Mayor John Horhn and Mayor Steven Reed Moderated by Bill Bynum |
4:45 - 6:00p | KEYNOTE and closing session, featuring Shaun Donovan |
WHEN WE GATHER | Thursday, SEPTember 18
Session Time | Session Titles | Session Titles | Session Titles |
|---|---|---|---|
10:15-11a | "Fortifying Emerging Developers" Co-Presented by: Lori Chatman and Amin Irving | "Empowering Communities Through Technology & Innovation" Presented by: Dr. Nashlie Sephus | "Learning, Collaboration, and Proximity: NCF's Approach to Advancing Racial, Economic, and Environmental Justice" Presented by: Rey Ramsey |
11:15-12p | "Reimagining the Affordable Housing System in the US" Presented by: Noel Andrés Poyo | "Mastering the Art of Business with Local Government Agencies" Presented by: Michael Thomas | "Partnering with FHLB to Drive Housing, Home Ownership, and Community Development" Presented by: Sanjay Bhasin |
1:45 - 2:30p | "Housing Can’t Wait" Presented by: Jim King | "Building High-Growth Companies: The Growth Mindset" Presented by: Tony Jeff | "Building the Cultural Economy" Presented by: Betsy Bradley |
2:45 - 3:30p | "From Stewardship to Sustainability: Building Generational Wealth Through Landownership
" Co-Presented by: Alex Harvey, Casey Benedict and Mike Massey | "Strategic Growth: Scaling Small Businesses for Long-Term Success" Presented by: Dr. Nichole Thompson | "Data Centers, Economic Development and the New Infrastructure of Civilization" Presented by: Tray Hairston |
3:45-4:30p | "Converting Renters to Homeowners" Co-Presented by: Jon Mulkin and Jena Reed | "Rural Water Infrastructure Solutions" Co-Presented by: Ines Polonius and
Suzanne Anarde-Devenport | "Good Things for Good People, Repurposing Community Assets" Co-Presented by: Latoya Cutts, Roy Decker and Dr. Errick Greene |
4:45 - 6:00p | Closing Remarks |
DELTA FEST is proudly sponsored by
