Beyond Borders Network’s FORWARD event

FORWARD Event Elevates Black and African Professionals through Networking, Innovation, and Leadership

Beyond Borders Network organized the FORWARD event, which brought together Black and African professionals, entrepreneurs, and creatives for a day filled with networking, learning, and inspiration. Held on Saturday, September 21st, 2024, the event provided a platform for attendees to connect and share opportunities, empowering the community to thrive. With a focus on elevating Black professionals, the event featured panels, activities, and keynotes aligned with innovation, storytelling, and leadership themes.
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Keynote speaker Josh Ghaim, Ph.D., Founder and Managing Partner of Ignite Venture Studio, brought unique insights from his leadership roles at major companies like Johnson & Johnson and Pfizer to the event. His address, which explored digital health, consumer markets, and the importance of fostering minority-led startups, offered a fresh perspective to the audience. Ghaim’s work with the African Diaspora Network further highlighted his commitment to empowering underrepresented groups, inspiring attendees to consider their roles in driving change.
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Throughout the day, participants were actively engaged in sessions such as “Venture Tales: Building Platforms that Tell Our Narrative.” The panelists’ discussion on creating platforms that amplify authentic Black stories was a powerful testament to the event’s strong collaborative spirit. This spirit, exemplified by interactive audience activities, not only allowed attendees to share their experiences and takeaways but also fostered a deep sense of inclusion and a learning and growth-oriented environment. The event also featured activities aligned with the UNGA theme and the Sustainable Development Goals, driving discussions around the global impact of the African diaspora and further promoting a sense of community.

 

In addition to panels and keynotes, the event included dynamic networking opportunities such as speed networking, where participants could connect with like-minded professionals. These sessions not only allowed for meaningful connections but also sparked hope for potential future collaborations. The day concluded with portraits sponsored by Nala, leaving attendees with a tangible memory of the event and a hopeful outlook for the future.

 
FORWARD 2024 was a resounding success, a testament to the unity, knowledge sharing, and opportunities for advancement it provided for Black professionals. By focusing on storytelling, leadership, and global impact, the event empowered participants to continue their journeys of growth and innovation and reinforced the importance of community-driven progress. The event’s impact was further underscored by the meaningful connections made during dynamic networking opportunities, which could potentially lead to future collaborations and the tangible memory of the event left with attendees through sponsored portraits by Nala.
 
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