(BALTIMORE – January 1, 2026) — While the nightly news too often reduces our young people to headlines of harm, this Saturday’s Black Wall Street New Year Summit offers a powerful counter-narrative — one rooted in excellence, discipline, creativity, and legacy.
This year’s Summit proudly uplifts nine youth entrepreneurs whose work, vision, and initiative speak louder than any stereotype:
Youth Honorees
Mackenzie Olivia, Skylar Dandridge, David Dandridge III, Donovan Dandridge, Ayodele Oni, Raheem Pierce, Damani Taylor, Jernie Key, and Dream Thompson.
“We are so very, very proud of our youth entrepreneurs,” said Doni Glover, founder of the Joe Manns Black Wall Street Awards. “I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again — the news paints an ugly picture of our youth. Take a picture of this and let it marinate in your soul. Give your spirit something else to feast on. Something positive.”
These young honorees represent the future of Black enterprise — curious, confident, and committed to building something meaningful.
Honoring Business Leadership & a Baltimore Basketball Legacy
The Summit also continues its long-standing tradition of honoring adult excellence through the Joe Manns Black Wall Street Awards, recognizing entrepreneurs, leaders, and institutions that strengthen the community.
2026 Joe Manns Black Wall Street Honorees include:
Keara Jackson, Joseph Christopher Lawson, Ernie Graham, Corin “Tiny” Adams, Min. Bolon, Amon Anderson, Rodney Johnson, Amir Hakim, Dr. Warren C. Hayman, Earl “Rocky” Garner, Walter Leslie, William “Mr. Bill” Harris, John Chase, and Dale Fauntleroy.
The final six honorees are officers of Cloverdale Basketball, underscoring a special through-line this year: Baltimore basketball history.
And the stats matter.
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Ernie Graham once dropped 44 points in a single game for the University of Maryland.
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Corin “Tiny” Adams set women’s records as an all-time leading scorer.
“We’ve got some shooters in the house,” Glover said with a smile — noting that this year’s Summit continues BMORENews’ ongoing documentation of Baltimore’s rich basketball legacy, from playgrounds to college gyms to community leadership.
Visionary Speakers for a New Year
Attendees will also hear from a powerhouse lineup of speakers shaping Baltimore’s future:
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Towanda Livingston, representing Constellation Energy, sharing insights on corporate partnership and opportunity
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Alicia Wilson, Esq., of Johns Hopkins University, offering perspective on institutional impact and equity
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Alexandria Warrick Adams, of Elev8 Baltimore, speaking on community elevation and systems of support
Together, they bring business, law, energy, education, and grassroots leadership into one room — exactly what Black Wall Street has always represented.
A Living Legacy
The Black Wall Street New Year Summit stands in the tradition of Maggie Lena Walker, America’s first Black female bank president, and builds on a legacy that has honored more than 3,000 entrepreneurs across nine U.S. cities since 2011.
This Saturday is not just a ceremony — it’s a statement.
Baltimore’s youth are building.
Baltimore’s elders are leading.
Baltimore’s story is bigger than the headlines.
Black Wall Street New Year Summit
Saturday | New Year Weekend
📍 Baltimore
🔗RSVP to blackwallstreetsummit2026.eventbrite.com
A continuation of BMORENews’ ongoing coverage of Black entrepreneurship, youth excellence, and Baltimore basketball history.
