Melo, the dynamic voice behind the UDeadAss Podcast, brings his signature wit, sharp perspective, and unapologetic authenticity to every conversation. Known for tackling culture, community, and creativity with humor and depth, Melo has built a platform that resonates with audiences who value real talk and fresh insight. As host of The Black Print panel, he’ll guide the discussion with his unique ability to balance humor and honesty while amplifying the importance of ownership and creative freedom in Black business.

Bradley Gifford is the visionary founder behind Spoonful, a breakfast brand offering nutritious, delicious overnight oats designed for performance, gut health, and accessibility. Inspired by his own health journey and growing up in a Fort Greene food desert, Bradley has crafted Spoonful to prioritize taste, wellness, and community impact, even ensuring the product serves lactose-intolerant and gluten-free consumers. He’s also focused on social good, distributing Spoonful in underserved neighborhoods through partnerships like one with the Black Ambition Initiative.

Swalé is a visionary polymath who is passionate about creativity and an advocate for human-centered design. Through his innovation as a service  firm, Enoem, he is helping to redefine human creativity, broadening the spectrum of how it is recognized and helping individuals reconnect with theirs. He has a deep desire to constantly innovate, his experience as an inventor, his extensive work in emerging technology and his thought leadership around digital identity and innovation all contribute to his impact and influence. He lectures on Design, Innovation and Impact Entrepreneurship at Parsons - The New School. His current focus is pioneering the future of E-commerce through his AI enabled, private on demand e-commerce payment platform that is powered by identity, Iuncta. 

Iymaani Abdul-Hamid is a classically trained violist, educator, and arts leader who brings strings into cultural celebration. As the Founder and Executive Director of IAH Studio, she creates affordable, affirming musical spaces for BIPOC students in the South Bronx. Her performances have graced stage staples like Lincoln Center, Carnegie Hall, the Apollo Theater, and even national television shows.Driven by her Caribbean heritage and a passion for cultural well-being, Iymaani founded the Ode to the Black Fiddler Music Festival to uplift string musicians of color and reimagine the violin’s role in community spaces.

In response to the lack of representation and unity in beauty, Tomi Talabi launched The Black Beauty Club, a global collective transforming online conversations into salon-style gatherings across New York, London, and Paris. With over 70 events to date and features in outlets like Essence and EBONY, the Club centers Black beauty rituals while reclaiming cultural conversations and building inclusive networks. Tomi’s impact is rooted in her belief that beauty is not just about products but about identity, ritual, and connection, bridging culture and commerce to create spaces where Black voices are seen, heard, and valued.

Cavier Coleman, a Brooklyn-based multimedia artist once dubbed a “Renaissance” artist by Forbes, channels influences of Picasso and Basquiat into a distinct style of bold lines and vibrant color. A former international model turned photographer and painter, his work has been featured in Complex, Interview Magazine, L’uomo Vogue, and galleries alongside Roy Lichtenstein. With collaborations spanning Puma, Saks Fifth Avenue, and Chris Brown’s Black Pyramid, Coleman’s artistry bridges fashion, culture, and fine art—cementing him as a visionary voice of his generation.