(BALTIMORE – December 31, 2024) – Be sure to attend the Black Wall Street New Year EMPOWERMENT SUMMIT on Saturday, January 4, 2025, from 10 am to 2 pm at the Sankofa Children’s Museum of African Cultures at 4330 Pimlico Rd. This will be an inspiring event filled with workshops, speakers, networking opportunities, and, of course, the coveted Joe Manns Black Wall Street Awards. This event is presented by BMORENews.com, the West North Avenue Development Authority (WNADA), and Fulton Bank.
RSVP to BlackWallStreetSummit2025.eventbrite.com.
Solace Sabir Sharif Vanzie is a dynamic young entrepreneur, world schooled scholar, and social innovator whose accomplishments defy his years. As a seasoned multi-faceted leader, Solace co-founded a next-generation youth career and entrepreneurship development organization at just 7 years old, sparking a movement to incubate rising entrepreneurs and create transformative opportunities for young minds. He is also the founder of Mosaic Innovations, a business dedicated to establishing and sustaining inspirational STEM-EDTech spaces that empower students, particularly those who might not initially see their potential in STEM, to uncover their hidden genius. A skilled electronic music producer and DJ, Solace seamlessly blends his creativity with technical acumen, captaining one of the nation’s top competitive VEX robotics teams and ranking as one of the youngest certified aviators in the country. Guided by his family’s mantra, “istudy, imaster, icreate,” Solace embodies his name by bringing peace, patience, and a protective, noble force to every endeavor. His mission is to achieve personal excellence and enable others to learn, grow, and thrive alongside him, creating a legacy of innovation and empowerment.
Nasir Marion Sharif Vanzie is a gifted artist and innovator whose creations blend artistry, ingenuity, and purpose. Since age 3, Nasir has been designing and crafting toys from natural materials, transforming his passion for sustainability into a masterful approach to art and design. His talents span from sculpting iconic characters like Godzilla and Transformers from clay to independently mastering 3D design, bringing moveable action figures from raw materials to digital conception and commercial manufacturing. Driven by a belief that adults should never lose their sense of joy and that children deserve access to engaging, educational toys, Nasir founded NLabs. In this creative hub, he produces high-end collectible futurism statues for art collectors and resilient, affordable action figures designed to teach children the joy of building. A talented chef passionate about farm-to-table food preparation, Nasir also co-founded the Agility Network, where he develops hands-on, engaging curricula for K–middle school youth. Look for his published illustrations in Wolf Changing by Aanjay Garrett, debuting in January 2025, as Nasir continues to inspire through his boundless creativity and entrepreneurial spirit.
Aanjay Garrett is a self-taught and directed creative designer and interior decorator passionate about transforming spaces and inspiring others. As a self-published author, Agile entrepreneur, and co-captain of the Agility Network Robotics’ Team Mantis, Aanjay brings innovation, creativity, and leadership to every endeavor. Guided by a personal code to “never stop learning, always be curious, and never give up,” Aanjay founded a business dedicated to solving the challenge of creating safe, visually appealing spaces that engage all five senses and bring ease and comfort to their clients. Aanjay’s artistic talents—spanning coloring, drawing, painting, and experimenting with new styles—drive a relentless pursuit of mastery, supported by a community that encourages and uplifts their dreams. As a homeschooled scholar, Aanjay has embraced unique opportunities that broaden her horizons and nurture her creativity. Whether designing captivating spaces, writing inspiring stories, or leading in robotics competitions, Aanjay is a shining example of dedication, vision, and dreams manifest.
Look forward to the January 2025 release of her first book, Wolf Changing!
Serenity Sharif Vanzie is a multitalented young entrepreneur, artist, and visionary whose creativity knows no bounds. As the founder of Serenity Slimes, she has transformed the simple joy of slime-making into an immersive therapeutic experience that delights everyone from young children to adults seeking playful relaxation. A gifted musician and songwriter, Suman weaves her love for music into all her ventures, creating multisensory experiences that leave lasting impressions. At just 10 years old, she dreams of designing architectural spaces that fuse sound, scent, and touch to inspire wonder and nostalgia. Whether writing or performing a new song, crafting innovative sensory projects, or collaborating with her entrepreneur parents and brothers, Suman radiates a passion for creation and connection. Born to be an entrepreneur, she continually finds inspiration in everyday life, ensuring her work brings joy, healing, and memorable moments to all who experience it.
Zoë Chester is a passionate artist. She is deeply rooted in Baltimore’s creative arts and cultural communities. She has appeared on stages across Baltimore with Wombworks and the Community of Academic Scholars. She continues to hone her talent as a TWIGS theater student and as a Chesapeake Shakespeare Company homeschool performer. She takes voice and music production lessons to expand her natural musical talents. Zoë has explored her artistic, activist, and entrepreneurial aspirations through participation in the Agility Network programs. A well-rounded and adventurous scholar, Zoë also explores creative expression through dance and visual arts. Her newest artistic and entrepreneurial endeavor is Glamourista Bracelets, a handmade beaded bracelet venture. Zoë loves adorning her friends, family, and the community with her beautiful, hand-crafted treasures. Keep an eye on this rising star. She’s going to incredible places and bringing dynamic energy with her.
