WayMaker Men’s Summit 2024: A Weekend of Progress, Guidance, and Legacy

by Marshelle R. Sanders

The WayMaker Men’s Summit 2024, held on September 6 and 7 at the iconic Willis Tower in Chicago, was an incredible gathering for Black men. It focused on innovation, community upliftment, and social justice.

This year’s summit brought together leaders, entrepreneurs, and men from various fields for an inspiring weekend centered on “Competing Against Yourself for Growth.” Over two days, attendees were treated to dynamic speakers, thought-provoking discussions, and transformative experiences.

Notable attendees included Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson, Jesse Jackson Sr., Nick Cannon, Kyrie Irving, author Ijeoma Oluo, and local entrepreneurs and activists.

Day 1: Spark of Inspiration and Celebration

The summit started with a bang as attendees found surprise gifts on their seats—Rimowa luggage and roundtrip tickets to the Caribbean or Mexico. A lucky ticket hidden in a WayMaker Journal revealed the winner.

The day started with a warm welcome from host G-Thang, followed by a session from Louis Carr, the founder of WayMaker Media and BET’s media sales president. His talk, “Mastering the Mirror: Competing Against Yourself,” stressed how self-reflection is key to personal and professional growth.

Keynote speaker Dr. Marcus Collins, author of “For the Culture”, explored how culture influences human behavior. Other highlights included Charles D. King, CEO of MACRO, who shared his trailblazing journey in the film industry, and Mayor Brandon Johnson, who led a session on effective leadership.

A candid discussion between Nick Cannon and Dr. Ish Major, titled “Getting Your Ish Together,” tackled balancing mental health with life’s demands. Devale Ellis captivated the crowd with his talk on “Building Legacy: Fatherhood, Marriage & Healthy Relationships,” while rapper Young Dro, moderated by Dometi Pongo, shared his inspiring story in “Rising Above: Overcoming Adversities.”

The evening wrapped up with the “Evening of Connections” reception, where attendees networked over cocktails and hors d’oeuvres. The WayMaker Awards Dinner later honored Devale Ellis as Father of the Year, and legendary rapper MC Lyte delivered a memorable performance.

 

Day 2: Igniting the Future Leaders

The second day started with the screening of the Leaders 1354 documentary. Louis Carr’s empowering speech welcomed a thousand local teens to the Teen Summit and highlighted their role as future leaders.

G-Thang kept the energy high as Melvin Rodriguez from Mielle Organics discussed building a business from scratch in “From the Ground Up.” Rufus Williams of WVON moderated the “Voices of Power: Black Men’s Voter Panel,” which focused on the political strength of the Black community.

One of the day’s highlights was NBA star Kyrie Irving’s session, “Competing Against Yourself: Mind over Matter,” and his surprise giveaway of unreleased sneakers to the teens. The day also featured insights from gold medalist Quincy Hall and actor Isaac Keys on perseverance and success.

The day concluded with Louis Carr’s closing remarks and the Future WayMaker Awards Presentation, where three teens were awarded $500 prizes.

Teen Summit: Shaping Future Leaders

The Teen Summit, hosted by Ian Michael Brock of Dream Hustle Code, drew over 750 teens. Sessions included a “Know Your Rights” workshop by Chicago Police Superintendent Tony Snelling and a “Young Money Entrepreneurs” panel with Fatz the Jeweler and youth activist Jahkil Jackson.

Content creator Keith Lee captivated the audience with “Creating Authentic Content,” while local influencers Korporate and Skinbone offered practical advice on social media. The day ended with a fun magic show by T-Magic.

Unique Experiences and Activations

Throughout the summit, attendees enjoyed several interactive activities:

The Dove Men+ Care Zen Den: Featured manicures, massages, and meditation in collaboration with Alkeme Health

The Power of the Vote: Encouraging voter registration and civic engagement.

Walmart Black + Unlimited HBCU Experience: Celebrating HBCU culture with on-site t-shirt printing

BET Game Zone: A fun space with arcade games

Meta: Showcasing virtual reality experiences with Meta Quest 3 and Ray-Bans

Professional Grooming Services: Including haircuts and facial waxing

WayMaker Podcast Studio: Offering live recordings for the Blueprint Connect Podcast with guests like Keith Lee, Speedy Morman, and Melvin Rodriguez

The WayMaker Men’s Summit was more than just a conference; it was a vibrant forum for networking, education, and inspiration. With impactful sessions, a dedicated Teen Summit, and engaging activities, it lived up to its theme of “Competing Against Yourself for Growth.”

As the summit wrapped up, the energy and enthusiasm for the future of Black leadership and community were palpable. Attendees left inspired and ready to make a difference, carrying forward the spirit of unity and determination beyond the event.

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