Nation's Leading African American Entrepreneurs And Corporate Executives To Gather In Charlotte At The 23rd Annual BLACK ENTERPRISE Entrepreneurs Summit

NEW YORK, Jan. 24, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- BLACK ENTERPRISE will return to Charlotte, North Carolina, to hold the 23^rd annual Entrepreneurs Summit hosted by Nationwide on Wednesday, June 6, through Saturday, June 9, at the Charlotte Convention Center. The three-day power conference, which brings together more than 1,000 of the country's leading entrepreneurs and corporate executives, is designed to provide attendees with the innovative strategies and networking opportunities critical for their businesses to reach the next level of profitability.

BLACK ENTERPRISE President & CEO Earl "Butch" Graves Jr. will officially announce that Charlotte will serve as host city at the planned press conference scheduled for Jan. 30, 2018. The Charlotte business community is critical to job creation and innovation, which is why the Summit seeks to drive the growth of black entrepreneurship and economic development in Charlotte and nationwide. The Summit returns to Charlotte 10 years after the annual conference was first hosted by the city.

"It's our intent that Greater Charlotte, and its nearly 13,000-plus black-owned businesses, be the greatest beneficiaries of our presence here. Deals are made at our conferences and long-term business relationships are forged," says Graves Jr. "We expect the three-day event to unite local business leaders with some of the nation's leading corporate decision makers, all while delivering more than $4 million to Charlotte's already thriving economy. At the same time, we look forward to raising the city's profile as one of our publication's top destinations to live and do business."

"What better time than on the eve of Black History Month to formally announce the partnership between the City and BLACK ENTERPRISE in hosting the Black Enterprise Entrepreneurial Summit," says Charlotte Mayor Vi Lyles. "In the City of Charlotte, we have made a priority of improving economic mobility as it relates to small business opportunity, high paying jobs, and broader access to opportunity. To be able to host this Summit, partnering with an organization that has grown from a focus on magazine production to one that promotes the concept of economic mobility internationally in all that it publishes and in events that it promotes is a true privilege for our great City."

Charlotte City Council member James Mitchell said, "It has been an extreme pleasure to chair the local Steering Committee and Ambassador Committee that are working locally to make this the best Black Enterprise Entrepreneurial Summit to date. We are lucky to have BE here and we want to show BE and the nation that this is an outstanding climate to promote black entrepreneurship!"

The conference, themed "Connect. Build. Elevate.", will welcome high-powered sessions on critical business topics such as Startup Funding: The Right Way to Fund Your First Business; Build Your Business by Making Money on Social Media; and Doing Business in Charlotte, just to name a few. Plus, the Black Enterprise Elevator Pitch Competition will award $10,000 for the best new business idea. Get the education, resources, and connections you need to boost your business growth for years to come at the Entrepreneurs Summit.

"Nationwide is proud of our long-standing partnership with BLACK ENTERPRISE and the opportunity to serve for the 8th year as the host sponsor of the 2018 Black Enterprise Entrepreneurs Summit, to be held in Charlotte, North Carolina," said Nationwide Chief Administrative Officer Gale King. "Nationwide understands that being in business for yourself takes dedication, commitment, and hard work, and it is our pleasure to partner with BLACK ENTERPRISE to recognize and support entrepreneurs today, and in the future. It's part of what Nationwide's On Your Side promise is all about.

The 2018 Black Enterprise Entrepreneurs Summit hosted by Nationwide is presented by Toyota and corporate sponsor FedEx.For updates, follow the Black Enterprise Entrepreneurs Summit page on Facebook and search the #BESummit hashtag on Twitter. 

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, a Fortune 100 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 a full range of insurance and financial services, including auto, commercial, homeowners, farm and life insurance; public and private sector retirement plans, annuities and mutual funds; banking and mortgages; pet, motorcycle and boat insurance. For more information, visit www.nationwide.com. 

Nationwide, Nationwide Financial, On Your Side, and the Nationwide N and Eagle are service marks of Nationwide Mutual Insurance Company. 

SOURCE BLACK ENTERPRISE