Real Voices
Charles O'Neal
President, TAAACC
38th Annual TAAACC Conference
It's time to getREAL!
A.I.→R.I.
Not Artificial Intelligence. Real Intelligence — for real Black business results.
Real Intelligence · Real Resources · Real Results
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Days
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Hours
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Minutes
Real Intelligence · Real Resources · Real Results
It's not about the hype. It's about results.
For three days in Fort Worth, the Texas Association of African American Chambers of Commerce brings together Black entrepreneurs, chamber leaders, and community advocates from across the state. Everyone's talking about A.I. We're here for R.I. — Real Intelligence: the strategy, the capital, and the connections that actually move Black-owned businesses forward.
R.I.
Real
Intelligence
Economic forecasts, legislative advocacy, and human strategy over hype — plus the practical A.I. tools you can put to work on Monday morning.
R.R.
Real
Resources
Access to capital and funding, HUB certification, digital-ready programs, and the partners who open doors for Texas Black businesses.
R.R.
Real
Results
Connections that convert and deals that close. This is how we close the gap between 350,000+ businesses and their fair share.
350K+
Black-owned businesses TAAACC advocates for across Texas
~1%
of Texas state spending currently reaches them — the gap we're here to close
30+
local Black chambers, united as one statewide voice
Source: TAAACC. Figures pending final verification before publication.
What to expect
Three days, built to move you forward.
Main-stage keynotes, hands-on activations, and the rooms where real partnerships start.
Main-Stage Keynotes
Opening sessions and headline voices setting the tone for Texas Black business.
State of Black Business
An economic forecast of the year behind us and the year ahead.
Legislative Update
The Texas Legislative Black Caucus on the bills that matter — and our call to action.
Access to Capital
Funding, lending, and financial-resilience strategies from the people who write the checks.
Digital & A.I. Ready
Verizon Small Business Digital Ready and practical A.I. workshops you can actually use.
Texas HUB Forum
Certification, contracting, and partnership opportunities across the state.
Awards Dinner
Celebrating the leaders and businesses building beyond barriers.
HUB Vendor Exhibits
Two full days of exhibitors, resources, and connections on the floor.
Networking, Everywhere
Receptions, luncheons, and the hallway conversations that turn into deals.
Featured Event · New for 2026
The Economic Summit
Real-time business development — where relationships turn into real contracts. We've set aside dedicated time to drill down on winning government (B2G) and business-to-business (B2B) opportunities, across both the public and private sector.
Come prepared. You'll be in the room with government contracting resources and private-sector business owners, face to face — here to start building working relationships, not just trade business cards.
Reserve Your SpotWhen
Friday, September 25 · 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM
Who it's for
Business owners chasing contracts — and aspiring entrepreneurs, even with a 9-to-5, ready to start and build.
The focus
Government contracting · B2G · B2B · private-sector networking
Admission
Included with full conference registration — or $75 on its own if your schedule can't fit all three days.
The Voices
Real Intelligence, in the room.
Our first confirmed speakers — with more leaders announced in the weeks ahead.
Real Voices
Ron Busby, Sr.
President & CEO, U.S. Black Chambers, Inc
Real Voices
Rev. Carol Y. Guess, Esq.
Chair, Texas Association of African American Chambers of Commerce
Real Voices
Michelle Green Ford
President & CEO, Fort Worth Metropolitan Black Chamber of Commerce
Real Voices
Velenda Dewberry
Director of Sales SE Region, Visit Fort Worth
Real Voices
William Michael Cunningham
Founder & CEO, Creative Investment Research
Real Voices
Rep. Ron Reynolds
District 27, Fort Bend County, TX
Real Voices
Albert C. Black, Jr.
Chairman, On Target Supplies and Logistics
Real Voices
Kevin Sample
Managing Partner, Opus Capital Partners
Real Voices
W. Kelvin Walker
CEO, Dallas Citizens Council
Real Voices
Derric Hicks
CEO, Texas Mezzanine Fund
Real Voices
Benjamin J. Vann
President & CEO, Impact Ventures
Real Voices
Sharon Douglas
CEO, Potere Construction
Real Voices
Christopher Herring
Executive Director, Global Chamber, San Antonio — Past TAAACC Chair
Real Voices
Gregory Cody
CEO, GCC Enterprises
Real Voices
Joe Monroe
Founder, Consolidated Installation Support
Real Voices
Dr. Brian Rowland
City Manager, Kirby, TX
Real Voices
Obi Green
CRPC™, APMA®, MPAS™ — Financial Advisor, Ameriprise / Reveal Wealth Strategies
Real Voices
Coretta Graham, Esq.
Founder, Graham Legal Services
Real Voices
L.D. Thomas Esq.
Founder and Managing Attorney, L.D. Thomas Law
Real Voices
Syreeta V. McDaniel
MBA
Real Voices
Dr. Michael Thompson
Founder and Chairman, Sikhona, Inc
The Agenda
Three days in Fort Worth.
A look at how the conference flows, September 23–25, 2026.
Day 1 · Wed, Sept 23
Arrive & Connect
- AfternoonRegistration OpensGrab your badge and settle in.
- 2:00 PMANNUAL MEETING/TAAACC Board of Directors
- 6-8 PMChairwoman’s Reception
Day 2 · Thu, Sept 24
The Main Stage
- 8:00 AMREGISTRATION, WELCOME & BREAKFAST
- 8:30 AMSTATE of TAAACC Charles O’Neal, President & CEO, TAAACC & William Michael Cunningham, Founder, Creative Investment Research.
- 10:00 AMLEGISLATIVE UPDATE State Rep. Ron Reynolds, and more to be announced.
- 11:30 AMOTSL Leadership Luncheon Fireside Chat with Albert C. Black, Jr. Founder, On-Target Supplies and Logistics
- 1:00 PMMerger/Acquisition Academy Kevin Sample, Opus Capital Partners, W. Kelvin Walker, CEO, Dallas Citizens Council.
- 2:30 PMAccess to Capital (Panel 1) Derric Hicks & Victor Elmore, Texas Mezzanine Fund, Benjamin J. Vann, CEO, Impact Ventures.
- 3:30 PMAccess to Capital (Panel 2) TAAACC Banking Partners
- 6:00 PMCocktails & Conversations Awards Reception
- 7:00 PMAwards Dinner Featuring Ron Busby, Sr.
Day 3 · Fri, Sept 25
Get REAL & Go
- 8:30 AMREGISTRATION & BREAKFAST
- 9:00 AMVERIZON SMALL BUSINESS DIGITAL READINESS PROGRAM Angela R. Walton, Regional Director.
- ECONOMIC SUMMIT
- 10:00 AMHeroes United for Business Christopher Herring, Executive Director, Global Chamber San Antonio; Sharon Douglas, CEO Potere Construction, Gregory Cody, Founder, GCC Enterprises, Joe Monroe, Founder, Consolidated Installation Support.
- 11:00 AMTexas Association of Black City Council Members Dr. Brian Rowland, City Manager, Kirby, TX, Moderator, more to come
- 12:00 PMBrown Bag Luncheon & Learn Wealth Creation and Business Succession – Rev. Carol Y. Guess, Esq., Chair, TAAACC, Obi Green, Financial Advisor Reveal/Ameriprise Wealth Strategies, Coretta Graham, Esq., Graham Legal Services, L.D. Thomas Esq., Founder and Managing Attorney, L.D. Thomas Law.
- 1:00 PMBe An AI Business Owner! Syretta McDaniel, MBA; Dr. Michael Thompson, Founder and Chairman, Sikhona, Inc.
- 2:00 PMClosing Remarks
Moments from 2025
Last year in Austin.
A preview of the energy, the leaders, and the connections waiting in Fort Worth.
Take your place at
the forefront.
Join Black entrepreneurs, chamber leaders, and advocates from across Texas. Registration includes main-stage sessions, activations, exhibits, meals, and the awards dinner.
Registration: $75 – $500
Register Now
Seats are limited — secure yours today
Registration
Secure your seat.
Three days of real intelligence, real resources, and real results — plus the Economic Summit.
Your registration includes
- Main-stage keynotes & opening sessions
- State of Black Business & Legislative Update
- Access to Capital + activation tracks
- Texas HUB Forum & vendor exhibits
- Meals, receptions & the Annual Awards Dinner
- The Economic Summit — included free
Registration
$75–$500
Tiers vary by attendee type & access level.
Register Now →Opens our secure registration page in a new tab.
Can't make all three days?
Attend The Economic Summit on Friday, Sept 25 (10 AM – 2 PM) for $75.
The Venue
DoubleTree by Hilton
Fort Worth South
The conference will be held at the DoubleTree by Hilton Fort Worth South Hotel & Conference Center. Reserve your room in the TAAACC group block at our special conference rate — your dates are pre-filled for Sept 23–26.
Book Your RoomGet Involved
Sponsor or Exhibit
Put your brand in front of the Texas Black business community. Sponsorships and exhibitor booths (from $500) are available — approval required to confirm your slot.