Invest Fest Returns to Atlanta: A Celebration of Black Entrepreneurship and Innovation
Ashley Kirkwood, founder of Speak Your Way to Cash, offered a unique perspective on the recent Invest Fest in Atlanta, particularly following viral commentary suggesting the city hadn’t supported the event. She emphasized the rapid spread of negative news, stating, “All data shows that negative news travels faster.” Kirkwood highlighted the consistent support from the Earn Your Leisure platform, which has energized Atlanta’s local economy.
Having relocated from Chicago to Atlanta two years ago, Kirkwood noted that the city’s reputation as a hub for Black entrepreneurship significantly influenced her move, and her business revenue has doubled since.
At the festival, conversations centered around Atlanta’s ongoing investment, with Mayor Andre Dickens joining Earn Your Leisure founders Rashad Bilal and Troy Millings to discuss the event’s impact. Attendees from various states, including Dallas’ Trea Coleman, found value in sessions like AI innovator Alicia Lyttle’s presentation on creating agents, along with essential estate planning discussions.
This year’s panel discussions featured notable figures, including Serena Williams, Steve Harvey, and Nick Cannon, who explored themes of longevity in entertainment. A leadership panel, comprising TIAA President Thasunda Brown Duckett and others, addressed institutional leadership. The technology track concluded with Lyttle demonstrating AI innovation.
As Invest Fest wrapped up its sixth year at the Georgia World Congress Center, it marked a successful weekend dedicated to finance, technology, culture, and a vibrant celebration of the Black entrepreneurial spirit. Vendors and attendees alike expressed enthusiasm for the event and its future.
