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of celebration, challenge and empowerment

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A Place

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for learning and developing better business practices

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2022 A.G. Gaston Conference

February 22-23, 2022

2021 Conference Sessions Are Available On-Demand

2021 A.G. Gaston Virtual Conference

February 23-24, 2021
9:00 – 11:30am CT

Sessions Are Now Available
On-Demand

2022 A.G. Gaston Conference

February 22-23, 2022

2021 Sessions Are Available On-Demand

2022 A.G. Gaston Conference

February 22-23, 2022
Please note that registration will be limited, and we will follow recommended COVID protocols.

Annual Conference

The A.G. Gaston Conference is the place to connect business owners, community leaders and all who believe in African American empowerment. Join us for two days filled with information that will empower and inspire you to change your future.

World-Class Speakers

Business experts share their experiences, provide valuable advice and challenge others to further success.

Honoring Business Heroes

Local business leaders who exemplify the ideals of A.G. Gaston are recognized by peers.

Empowering African American Businesses

The A.G. Gaston Conference is a two-day event for business owners, educators, community leaders, elected officials, and anyone passionate about African American economic empowerment. Since 2004, the annual conference has provided an environment to strengthen entrepreneurs and address concerns. From world-class speakers to vendors to business-to-business networking, the conference is an iconic event named after A.G. Gaston - the "Entrepreneur of the Century" who elevated Birmingham's black business community.

2022 A.G. Gaston Conference

2022 AGGC Save the Date - 11.2021

2022 Speakers

Dr. Andre M. Perry

Senior Fellow, The Brookings Institution

Autumn Kyles

CEO, Detroit Dough; Founder, Proxie

Cheryl McKissack Daniel

President & CEO, McKissack & McKissack

2022 A.G. Gaston Conference Sponsors

2022 A.G. Gaston Conference

2021 Speakers

Maggie Anderson

Co-Founder, The Empowerment Experiment

Dedrick Asante-Muhammad

Chief of Race, Wealth, And Community, National Community Reinvestment Coalition

Shelly Bell

Serial Entrepreneur & Computer Scientist, Black Girl Ventures

Marc Morial

President and CEO, National Urban League

2022 A.G. Gaston Conference Sponsors

Highlights from the 2020 Conference

Featured Speakers

Maggie Anderson

Co-Founder, The Empowerment Experiment

Shelly Bell

Serial Entrepreneur & Computer Scientist, Black Girl Ventures

Dr. George Fraser

Founder & CEO, FraserNet, Inc

Michael A. Graves

Founder, Graves Advisory Group

Dr. Anthony Hood

Director of Civic Innovation, UAB

Carmen Mays

Founder & CEO, Elevators

Eugene Mitchell

Founder & Principal, E. Mitchell Consulting Group for Financial Literacy and Financial Services

Debra Nelson

President, Elevate Communications

A.G. Gaston Award Recipient

Dr. Anthony Hood

Anthony C. Hood, Ph.D., director of Civic Innovation at the University of Alabama at Birmingham, was awarded the 2020 A.G. Gaston Award for his innovative approach to providing quality educational opportunities to students.  Dr. Hood exemplifies Gaston's advice to "find a need and fill it" by pushing UAB students to be leading entrepreneurs and business leaders of the next generation.

People's Choice Award Recipient

Kathy Boswell

Kathy Boswell, VP of Community Engagement for the World Games 2022, was nominated by the local business community and awarded the 2020 People's Choice Award. Ms. Boswell's  innovative approach to providing quality, community-focused healthcare initiatives has created a model that will surely be replicated.

2021 Conference Sponsors

Become a Sponsor

Interested in becoming a conference sponsor and getting access to top business owners?