Earvin "Magic" Johnson To Lead Powerhouse Line-Up Of CEOs At Entrepreneurs Conference In Columbus, OH, May 15-18

NEW YORK, April 15, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- BLACK ENTERPRISE will hold its 2013 Entrepreneurs Conference + Expo hosted by Nationwide Insurance on Wednesday, May 15, at the Columbus Convention Center in Columbus, Ohio, with a powerhouse line-up of some of the nation's most accomplished and celebrated entrepreneurs. Kicking off the conference: Magic Johnson Enterprises Chairman and CEO Earvin "Magic" Johnson, who will share business insights and the secrets of his entrepreneurial success in a "Fireside Chat" with CBS Sports Analyst Clark Kellogg. The Fireside Chat with Magic Johnson is also presented by Nationwide.

After a Hall of Fame career in the NBA with the Los Angeles Lakers, Johnson has become one of the world's most influential African American entrepreneurs over the past three decades, building a business empire spanning sports team ownership, real estate, private equity food service and facilities management, media properties and more. In addition, the Magic Johnson Foundation has become one of the world's most recognized charitable organizations, addressing critical needs ranging from closing the digital divide, to providing medical care options and testing for HIV/AIDS, to funding college scholarships.

"Nationwide is proud to sponsor this year's conference because we share Black Enterprise's commitment for empowering minority businesses and entrepreneurs throughout the country," said Steve Rasmussen, Nationwide CEO.  "We are pleased that Magic Johnson will be here to share his entrepreneurial journey with conference attendees. I am confident that participants will have a great experience in our hometown of Columbus, Ohio, and will walk away with valuable resources and networks to support their continued business endeavors."  

"The Entrepreneurs Conference has evolved into a can't-miss annual event for both established and aspiring entrepreneurs who are serious about growing their business," said Earl "Butch" Graves Jr., Black Enterprise President and CEO. "We are thrilled to partner with our host, Nationwide, in their headquarters city of Columbus, to make this conference the most impactful yet for our attendees, exhibitors, sponsors and partners."

This marks the first year that the four-day power conference, which annually brings together more than 1,200 of the country's leading entrepreneurs and corporate executives, will be held in Columbus. The Black Enterprise Entrepreneurs Conference + Expo (BEEC) is designed to provide attendees with the newest and most innovative strategies from today's top business minds and provide high-powered networking opportunities critical to their efforts to take their businesses to the next level, from successful launch to growth and profitability. This year's BEEC theme: Accelerate Your Business.

Other confirmed speakers also include:

• Robert L. Johnson, Founder & Chairman, The RLJ Companies
• Frans Johansson, Founder & CEO, The Medici Group and bestselling author of The Medici Effect and The Click Moment.
• Tim Reese, Co-Founder, National Minority Angel Network and Managing Partner, Forge Intellectual Capital
• Jeff Clanagan, CEO, Code Black Entertainment 
• Melinda "Small Biz Lady" Emerson, CEO, SucceedAsYourOwnBoss.com
• Amos Winbush, Founder & CEO, CyberSynchs LLC
• Scott Gerber, Founder, Young Entrepreneurs Council and Co-Founder, Gen Y Capital Partners
• Hajj Flemings, Founder & CEO, Brand Camp University
• Lauren Maillen Bias, Founding Partner, Gen Y Capital Partners and CEO, Luxury Marketing Branding
• Wayne Sutton, Founder & CEO, PitchTo Inc.

The 2013 Black Enterprise Entrepreneurs Conference hosted by Nationwide Insurance boasts high-powered sessions on critical business topics such as International Business, Finding Angel Investors, Social Media Marketing, The Art of Creative Partnerships, Corporate Procurement, Business Coaching, Protecting Your Idea/Invention, Franchising, Selling Online, Generating Cash for your Tech Start-up, Using Search Engine Optimization to Sell Your Goods and How to do Business with the Government.

For the aspiring entrepreneur, The Small Business Success™ Bootcamp offers a step-by-step approach to kick-starting a new enterprise. Plus, the Black Enterprise Elevator Pitch Competition will award $10,000 for the best new business idea and the Teenpreneur program will teach business fundamentals to youths, ages 13-17.

For updates, follow BLACK ENTERPRISE Entrepreneurs Conference page on Facebook and search the #BEEC hash tag on Twitter. 

The 2013 Black Enterprise Entrepreneurs Conference + Expo hosted by Nationwide is presented by American Express, DELL, PepsiCo and Walmart. Platinum sponsors include FedEx Express and Wendy's International. Corporate Sponsors include The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and PR Newswire.

BlackEnterprise.com is the leading website for Money, Small Business and Career development. Providing executive and entrepreneurial resources, information, and profiles on the topics of money management, employment, career and start-up development, BlackEnterprise.com features expert resource articles, original video packages, and blogs, customized to empower its niche audience while consistently providing universal resource-value.

BLACK ENTERPRISE, your ultimate source to build Wealth for Life, is the premier business, investing, and wealth-building resource for African Americans. Since 1970, BE has provided essential business information and advice to professionals, corporate executives, entrepreneurs, and decision makers. Every month, BLACK ENTERPRISE magazine provides 4 million readers with information on entrepreneurship, careers, and financial management. A multimedia company, BE also produces television programming, business and lifestyle events, Web content, and digital media. Visit www.blackenterprise.com for more information.

About Nationwide
Nationwide Mutual Insurance Company, based in Columbus, Ohio, is one of the largest and strongest diversified insurance and financial services organizations in the U.S. and is rated A+ by both A.M. Best and Standard & Poor's. The company provides customers a full range of insurance and financial services, including auto insurance, motorcycle, boat, homeowners, pet, life insurance, farm, commercial insurance, annuities, mortgages, mutual funds, pensions, long-term savings plans and specialty health services. For more information, visit www.nationwide.com.
Nationwide, the Nationwide frame mark, and On Your Side are service marks of Nationwide Mutual Insurance Company.

SOURCE Black Enterprise