Black Leadership Expo: Career & Tech

The Gantt Center and the Bogues Group are proud to present the Black Leadership Expo.

This conversation features an interactive guide, highlighting key tools for growth. In tandem with the conversation is an expo of diverse resources featuring local businesses, job opportunities, job training initiatives, strategic business consulting, and more.

The expo will span the Gantt's lobby with vendors and include business/social networking. Guests can glean tech and business knowledge from AI Disruptors, third-generation entrepreneurs, and owners of the strategic marketing & sales agency, Stratagon: Alex Moore and Ryan Burkett. This chat also features business owner and first Black female chair of the Mecklenburg County ABC Board, Monifa Drayton, who will share invaluable takeaways for growing a business and sustaining a strong career.

From scratch to seven figures - learn tangible skills in business and tech, and connect with companies who are looking to employ talented professionals. Network and build relationships with Charlotte's thriving entrepreneurs in various fields, and learn of Black innovation in technology.

Although you may come as you are, business casual is encouraged.

With more than 20 years of experience in strategic initiatives, solutions design, and global delivery, Ryan Burkett, Sr. leads the Strategy and Solutions practice at Stratagon. His experience has centered around a key tenet: to develop an appropriate solution for a relevant challenge and execute it successfully. Ryan ensures Stratagon’s focus on client satisfaction and success.

Leader of the Marketing and Technology practice at Stratagon, Alex Moore, Sr. has more than 20 years of experience in marketing and business management. With extensive experience resolving both corporate and local business challenges, Alex is well-seasoned in helping clients across a diverse set of industries meet their sales and marketing goals and objectives.

Monifa Drayton is the first Black woman to chair the Mecklenburg County Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) Board. Drayton joined the organization in 2018 as a board of directors member, helping with community involvement. For the last 20 years, Drayton has served in multiple leadership positions within the healthcare industry, including operations and business development. She is currently the CEO of Drayton Leadership Group, LLC, which specializes in leadership development, equity and inclusion.

Drayton earned several awards throughout her career, including Carolinas HealthCare System Pinnacle Award Finalist (2017), Community Leader of the Year Award (2016) and Outstanding Emerging Business Leader of the Year Award (2014).

Bogues Group is an award-winning, Black female-owned communications and events agency based in Charlotte, N.C bringing premium customer service, experienced consulting, unique connections and creative solutions. Its mission is to provide clients with customized experiences through design, data, and detail. The agency is guided by results-driven strategies utilizing marketing, public relations and events to meet clients' goals. What matters to its clients, matters to them.