Atlanta is set to host a landmark event this August: the 124th National Black Business Conference, which commemorates the 40th anniversary of the World Conference of Mayors. The conference, scheduled for August 21-24, will bring together hundreds of Black-owned businesses, professionals, and elected officials from around the globe.
This year’s event is especially significant as it welcomes a distinguished guest speaker: President Joseph Boakai of Liberia. President Boakai took office in January and will address attendees on August 23rd at the Pan African Diaspora Business Luncheon.
The presence of Liberia’s president is particularly meaningful, as Dr. Kenneth L. Harris, Ph.D., the 16th president and CEO of the National Business League, explains: “This occasion is important because 40 years ago, The World Conference of Mayors hosted its first conference addressed by President Dr. Samuel K. Doe in Monrovia, Liberia. And now it’s coming full circle.”
Johnny Ford, founder of The World Conference of Mayors, emphasizes the event’s historical importance. “As we celebrate the historic 40th Anniversary of The World Conference of Mayors, we acknowledge the pivotal role Black mayors play in the economic development of cities, towns, and historic settlements,” Ford states. He notes that these legacies trace back to the visionary leadership of Dr. Booker T. Washington.
The conference is co-hosted by the National Alliance for Black Business, which includes the National Business League, the National Black Chamber of Commerce, and The World Conference of Mayors. Local Black-led business institutions, including the Atlanta Business League, Greater Georgia Black Chamber of Commerce, and the Georgia Minority Supplier Development Council, also support the event.
A key focus of the conference will be highlighting the impact of Black mayors in fostering entrepreneurship, economic development, and community growth. The World Conference of Mayors, established in 1984, stands as a testament to the enduring legacy of Black mayoral leadership and economic empowerment within Black communities worldwide.
This year’s event also marks 50 years since the Southern Conference of Black Mayors held its inaugural National Conference at the Hilton Atlanta Hotel in 1974. At that historic meeting, Daniel “Chappy” James, the first four-star Black general in the Air Force, a Tuskegee airman, a personal friend of the former Tuskegee Mayor and now City Councilman, served as keynote speaker.
The World Conference of Mayors aims to stimulate positive relations between mayors internationally, focusing on trust, trade, tourism, technology, treasury, training, and twin city programs. As the conference returns to Atlanta, it continues to build on its foundational goals of establishing mutual trust, cultivating trade relationships, stimulating tourism, fostering technology transfer, and strengthening cities through effective monetary policies and leadership training.
As Black business leaders and elected officials from around the world converge on Atlanta this August, the 124th National Black Business Conference promises to be a pivotal event in the ongoing story of Black economic empowerment and global leadership.
Don’t miss this historic gathering of Black business leaders and global mayors. Secure your place at the forefront of Black economic empowerment and international cooperation.
Get Your Ticket Now!
To register for the 124th National Black Business Conference and participate in this landmark 40th anniversary celebration, visit https://nationalblackbusinessconference.com. Reserve your spot today and help shape the future of Black business and leadership globally.
