Opportunity Accelerator 2025 Program

Sunday, November 2^nd • 12–3 PM

Sunset Vista Ballroom, 4^th Floor • Miami Beach Convention Center

Session 1 – Welcome and Inspiration
12:00 - 12:55 PM

Welcome

• Carlton L. Oneal, President, LightSpeedEdu, and Chair, National MBE Input Committee

Greetings

• Donald R. Cravins, Jr., President and CEO, NMSDC

Keynote

• Beverly Kuykendall, Owner and Chief Strategy Officer, Kuykendall & Associates

  • The Pivot: Turning Pressure into Power
    There's a shift happening in America. Conversations once framed around inclusion are now being redefined — sometimes restricted, sometimes resisted. But here's what we know: every time the ground shakes, the people who know how to pivot don't just survive — they lead. This moment is not an ending. It's a reset. It's an invitation for business owners, corporations, and policymakers to use what we already know — what we've already built — to move toward defining the future of growth itself. Because the question isn't whether we will survive. The real question is: who will lead when the landscape changes?

Session 2 – Interactive Workshops
1:00 - 1:55 PM

• Mellissa Tong, Chief StorySeller, Duck Punk Productions

  • Crafting a Buzz-worthy Brand Story to Stand Out From Your Competitors
    Facts tell. Stories sell. Did you know that most people can only remember 5-10% of data vs. 65-70% of stories? Facts inform the mind, stories move the heart, and ultimately, the heart makes the decision. If you're not using your story to articulate why your customers should buy from you vs. your competitors, you've already lost in the crowded marketplace.

• Sylvester Hester, President and CEO, LM Manufacturing & Supply Chain

  • The BEST Workshop:
    Unlocking Results Through Balance, Strategy, and Trust
    Discover how successful businesses navigate headwinds and achieve sustainable growth—even in challenging environments. This interactive session introduces the BEST method, a proven framework that helps leaders rethink obstacles, uncover opportunities, and apply practical tools to drive measurable results.

Session 3 – HotOpps
2:00 - 2:55 PM

HotOpps is back—fast-paced, high-value, and always a favorite. Hear rapid-fire opportunities directly from organizations including Amazon, AARP, Boston Scientific, Merck, ARCO Design Build, and McCormick Place, with more presenters still to come. Bring your focus—this session moves fast and could open the door to your next major client.