Keynote Speaker
Dr. Lynn Richardson
Author and Celebrity
Financial Coach
Named by Urban Influence Magazine as one of the 20 Hottest Influencers in America, Dr. Lynn Richardson is an author, entertainment executive and celebrity financial coach who uses her quick wit and humorous presentation style to help others face their money issues and achieve personal, professional and spiritual harmony. With more than two decades of leading roles in the banking and real estate sales industries, Lynn's vision is best portrayed in her books, most notably Living Check to Monday: The Real Deal About Money, Credit and Financial Security, which achieved Best Seller status at the Congressional Black Caucus Conference Book Pavilion. Lynn is featured regularly on The Steve TV Show, Access Hollywood Live, The Hallmark Channel's Home & Family Show, BET Networks and has appeared in Essence, Jet, Upscale, on Tom Joyner Morning Show, Get Up Mornings with Erica Campbell, and in countless media outlets nationwide. She has served as Chief of Operations for Russell Simmons' & Dr. Benjamin Chavis' Hip Hop Summit Action Network and is currently the President and CEO of MC Lyte's Hip Hop Sisters Foundation, and President and COO of MC Lyte's Sunni Gyrl entertainment and celebrity management firm -- where she oversees empowerment programs that impact the globe.
 
In 2009, Richardson released her second book, "Living Beyond Check to Monday: A Spiritual Path to Wealth and Prosperity," along with her third highly anticipated real estate book, “Yes, You're Approved! The Real Deal About Getting a Mortgage and Buying a Home," which she co-authored with her mentor, friend, and sorority sister Lori Jones Gibbs. She was appointed to join Dr. Benjamin Chavis (CEO) as the Chief of Operations for the Hip Hop Summit Action Network, where she continues to work with Russell Simmons (Chairman), other celebrities, and a host of corporate and community partners to execute global initiatives empowering the hip-hop youth and urban professionals around the world.
 
In 2012, Richardson was appointed President of MC Lyte's Hip Hop Sisters Foundation, where she was responsible for assisting in the launch of various significant programs and she was later appointed COO of MC Lyte's business enterprise, Sunni Gyrl, Inc, which specializes in artist support, development, business strategies, and wealth creation for various celebrities.
 
In 2016, Richardson partnered with MC Lyte, Kelly Price, Faith Evans, Erica Campbell, and Nicci Gilbert to launch The W.E.A.L.T.H. Experience, a three-day new year retreat she created for celebrities, entertainment and corporate executives, and women from all walks of life: www.wealthexperience.info.
 
Richardson is committed to nurturing her ministry for the benefit of others. She and her best friend Demetrius have been married for over 24 years, they have three daughters and call a Los Angeles suburb home.
Panelist
Towanna Burrous
Diversity Coach
Dr. Towanna Burrous, President, CoachDiversity Institute is a best-selling author, trainer, and an ICF professional certified coach (PCC) based in Washington, DC. As a much sought after executive coach, Towanna’s mission is to empower diverse communities through executive coaching. Her role is to test, re-test and ultimately drive the organization’s overarching vision, strategy, and tactical direction. The CoachDiversity team delivers training and curriculum for to-be coaches and customized diversity and leadership programs for corporate and individual clients.
 
Towanna has spent the past 28 years in both federal government and the private sector that has led to her serving a broad range of business executives, sales, and IT (information technology) professionals. She delivers custom keynotes and coaching and training programs designed to assist organizations in their efforts to equip their leaders and key contributors with the skills and competencies needed to excel in today’s challenging business environment. She uses her expertise helping businesses shape corporate strategies that produce positive bottom-line benefits.
 
Towanna is a trusted partner and problem solver for many clients tackling morale, employee retention, employee engagement, training and development in the post-recession world.
 
As founder of the Black Life Coaches network, she has helped over 600 life coaches, counselors and therapists from the United States, Canada, United Kingdom and South Africa. Towanna is currently in the process of earning a Doctorate of Education from the University of Pennsylvania. She has a Master of Science in Education from the University of Pennsylvania, a Doctorate of Divinity from Elbon-Solutions College of Ministry and a Bachelor’s degree in Chemistry from Howard University.
Panelist
Jonathan Lovitz
Senior Vice President National LGBT Chamber of Commerce
Jonathan D. Lovitz is a Senior Vice President at the National LGBT Chamber of Commerce (NGLCC) overseeing media relations and public policy, political affairs, and strategic partnerships.  He previously served as Director of NGLCCNY, the New York office & network of NGLCC. He regularly speaks to conferences and the press about LGBT economic empowerment and the vital role NGLCC & business plays in creating equity for the LGBT community.  Lovitz has been the lead for the majority of NGLCC's advoacy policies to include LGBTBEs in state, county, and city contracting across America-- including victories in Los Angeles, Baltimore, Orlando, Nashville, and many more.
 
Lovitz is a regular commentator on MSNBC, CNBC, NPR, The Advocate, Out Magazine, among others, and has often spoken/fundraised for Broadway Cares / Equity Fights AIDS, The Trevor Project, GLSEN, the Democratic party, and more. Jonathan previously served as Director of Communications + Operations / Acting Executive Director for StartOut, a national nonprofit empowering LGBT entrepreneurs. Prior to his work in advocacy, Lovitz was a respected stage actor and news anchor for Logo TV and other major networks.
 
The Advocate Magazine named Lovitz a "2019 Queer Icon" alongside some of the year's top activists, artists, and political figures. In 2018 Lovitz was recognized by Business Equality Magazine as one of its "40 LGBTQ Leaders Under 40."  He was also named "Outstanding Young Alumni" by the University of Florida in April 2018.
 
Jonathan regularly speaks to colleges and universities encouraging young people to get involved in public service and use the internet to make a difference for their communities. While business and LGBT youth causes are his primary focus, Jonathan looks for any chance to serve any community in need of a voice, including serving on multiple nonprofit Boards of Directors. Jonathan graduated Summa Cum Laude from the University of Florida.  
Panelist
Tressa “Azarel“ Smallwood
Producer & Entrepreneur
Tressa "Azarel" Smallwood is an award-winning Book Publisher and Movie Producer. In 2003 after writing her first novel, Tressa resigned from her teaching tenure in the Maryland school system to fulfill her dream of becoming an entrepreneur. Since then, she's published many other books resulting in over 162 published titles some of which are now being adapted to film and TV series. As a content catalog owner, Tressa's entrepreneurial work as both an author, book consultant and movie producer have been featured in Black Enterprise, EURWeb, The Source, Shadow & Act, Rolling Out, and many more.
 
Expanding into the film industry with MegaMind Media, her award-winning film company, Tressa has cast and worked alongside many accomplished actors such as Rob Riley, Denise Boutte, Clifton Powell and Lamman Rucker. In addition, she recently produced All In, the 2019 ABFF & BET award winning film, starring Lil Mama, Elise Neal, Lyric Hurd; and The Available Wife starring KJ Smith, Terayle Hill, and Roger Guenveur Smith, both of which were filmed in the District of Columbia. Tressa is in development for three of her scripted TV Series, Caught Up, Positions and Dirty Divorce (based off the best selling book series).