Schedule | February 18, 2026
Schedule | February 18, 2026
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Location: Red Mountain Theatre
1600 3rd Ave S, Birmingham, AL 35233
*Schedule shown in Central Standard Time (CST), UTC-5
8:00 AM – 9:00 AM
Registration
Attendees check-in, pick up conference materials, check your schedule, and enjoy a light breakfast to kickstart the day.
9:00 AM – 9:55 AM
Welcome
Conference Program Manager
Bob Dickerson
Celebrating Minnie Gaston
Moderator
Bob Dickerson
Panel
Carol Jenkins | Niece, co-author of Black Titan
Judge Tamera Harris Johnson | Niece; Circuit Court Judge, Jefferson County—Birmingham Division
Minnie Washington Finley | Niece; former educator
10:00 AM – 10:30 AM
Ownership and Forward Thinking
A conversation with Michael V. Roberts
Introduction
Bob Dickerson
Speaker
Michael V. Roberts | Chairman, The Roberts Companies
10:30 AM – 11:15 AM
Succession is a Strategy
A conversation with Cheryl McKissack Daniel
Moderator
Bob Dickerson
Speaker
Cheryl McKissack Daniel | Chair of the Board, McKissack & McKissack
11:30 AM – 12:30 PM
Lunch
1:00 PM – 1:15 PM
The Wiz | A Preview
City of Birmingham Presentation
Speakers
Monique Shorts | Senior Program Manager
Dot George | Small Business Relationship Coordinator, City of Birmingham Office of Business Diversity and Opportunity
1:15 PM – 2:00 PM
Commentary, Comedy, and Calling
A conversation with Roy Wood Jr.
Moderator
Bob Dickerson
Speaker
Roy Wood Jr. | Two-time Emmy-nominated writer and producer, comedian, actor, and podcaster
2:00 PM – 3:00 PM
The 2026 Green Paper Presentation – Assets Are Not Wealth: Reclaiming Asset Development & Clarifying What Wealth Building Requires
Introduction
Bob Dickerson
Speaker
Stephen Glaude | President and CEO, The Coalition
Follow-Up Discussion
Speakers
Dr. Anthony C. Hood | Managing Principal, Hood Allen Consulting
Isaac M. Cooper | Founder and CEO, IMC Financial Consulting
3:00 PM – 3:15 PM
Break
3:15 PM – 4:00 PM
From Founder to Family: Engineering Generational Continuity
Charles Williams & Associates | Birmingham, AL
Charles Williams | Owner (father)
Charles Williams, II | (son)
Blue Springs Metals | Blue Springs, MS
Kirk Lewis | President (father)
Joe Lewis | Vice President (son)
Veterans Expo Group | Atlanta, GA
Konis Moore | President (father)
Austin Moore | Vice President (son)
Kemp Management Solutions | Birmingham, AL
Mike Kemp | Founder, CEO (father)
James Kemp | President (son)
ECF Engineering Consultants | West Palm Beach, Florida
Everett Fennell, P.E. | CEO, Managing Principal (father)
Shauna Fennell Hawkins | President (daughter)
4:00 PM – 4:15 PM
Small Business Recognitions
Recognizing members of our small business community, many of whom have contributed to the A.G. Gaston Conference
Bridget Brown | Pages and Posts
Stephanie Handy | Handy Photo Media
Rashada LeRoy | LRY Media Group
Tiffany Lewis | Tiffany’s Top Designs
Martez Nalls | Bold as a Lion
Harrison Prince | Harrison Prince Design
Rashida Reese | ReBirth Marketing and Consulting
Art Scott | Digi Print
Tanesha Sims-Summers | Naughty But Nice Kettle Corn Co.
Joe Smith | Corporate CFM & Affiliated Companies
Jeremy Spratling | Corporate CFM & Affiliated Companies
Martha Underwood | Prismm
4:25 PM – 4:55 PM
The Future: Today’s Emerging Leaders
Moderator
Gilberto Herrara | CEO, Omny1 Marketing
Panel
Justin Evans | Young Entrepioneers
Jarrod Stisher | TechBirmingham
Rae’Mah Henderson | Innovate Alabama
4:55 PM – 5:00 PM
Closing Remarks
Bob Dickerson
5:00 PM
Reception & Award Presentations
