The Athene Black & Brown Business Summit was created by national stakeholders to elevate ethnic minorities and bring BIPOC businesses together to assist with connection building, programming, promotion, training, and to provide resources to help businesses grow and prosper.
The third annual Athene Black & Brown Business Summit, held April 20 and 21, will bring everyone from entrepreneurs to seasoned professionals together in a hybrid setting at Athene (7700 Mills Civic Pkwy) in West Des Moines, Iowa. The Summit includes a pitch competition, breakout sessions led by top experts, Mel Essex Award, inspirational keynote speakers and more. Our goal is to help advance the minority business community across the country and position Iowa as the best place in the nation to start and lead a minority business.
The Athene Black and Brown Business Summit is presented by
Attendee Hotel Accommodations
The Athene Black & Brown Business Summit attracts speakers and attendees from across the United States of America. For those traveling in from out of town, a special guest room block is available at the West Des Moines Hilton Garden Inn. Click the button below to learn more and to reserve a room. Reservations can also be made by calling 515-223-0571 and asking for the Black & Brown Business Summit block. Reservations must be made by March 28 to take advantage of the group rate.
Brought to you by our Exclusive Pitch Competition Partner
2023 Nonprofit Fundraiser
Get ACTIVE to support By Degrees Foundation
Support By Degrees Foundation, the 2023 recipient of 100% of funds raised in this year’s GET ACTIVE fundraiser as part of the 2023 Athene Black & Brown Business Summit presented by Wells Fargo. Sign up, get active, and share on social media!
The worst state for minority businesses, with only one minority owned business for every 43 minority residents.
National average of minority self-employed people25.6%
Iowa average5.1%
Download a list of financial resources in West Des Moines and across the state here.
How the Nation Ranks
According to the most recent Census Bureau data available, Black people comprise approximately 14.2% of the U.S. population, however, Black businesses comprise only 2.2% of the nation’s 5.7 million employer businesses (firms with more than one employee). Click here to learn more from the Brookings Institution.
Learn more about COVID-19’s effect on minority-owned small businesses in the United States according to McKinsey & Company, and additional ways you can help.
Thank you to Summit sponsors and key partners that help make this important event possible: