Building Forward: Black Contributions to Tech & Finance
Hosted by the Wisconsin Blockchain Business Council (WBBC)
Sponsored by Stand With Crypto
📅 Thursday, February 19, 2026
🕠 5:30 PM – 7:30 PM
📍 Black Holocaust Museum | Milwaukee, WI
🎤 Panel Discussion + Networking Mixer
Building Forward, presented by Awen, is a community-centered conversation honoring the past, engaging the present, and shaping the future of technology and finance through the lens of Black innovation and leadership.
Hosted at the Black Holocaust Museum, this evening invites community members, students, entrepreneurs, creatives, technologists, finance professionals, and allies to gather for a thoughtful panel discussion followed by intentional networking. Together, we’ll explore the often-unseen contributions Black leaders have made — and continue to make — in emerging technologies, finance, and economic systems, while spotlighting accessible pathways forward.
The program will feature a 60-minute moderated panel with 3–4 speakers, followed by a networking mixer with snacks, designed to encourage connection, collaboration, and resource-sharing.
What to Expect
Panel themes include:
Personal journeys, career lessons, and lived experience
The future of finance and emerging technologies (AI, blockchain, digital assets, and beyond)
Unseen realities, barriers, and practical resources
Actionable opportunities for mentorship, funding, and collaboration
Audience participation is encouraged through live Q&A and written question cards.
Evening Agenda
5:30 PM — Doors Open & Welcome Reception
Arrive, sign in, enjoy light music, and get settled.
5:45 PM — Opening Remarks
Welcome from a founding member of the WBBC, grounding the conversation in the museum’s mission and the goals of the evening.
5:50 PM — Moderator Introduction
Overview of the theme, panelists, and format.
5:55 PM — Panel Discussion
Segment 1: Personal journeys & career lessons
Segment 2: The future of finance & emerging tech
Segment 3: Unseen realities & accessible pathways
Segment 4: Actionable resources & collaboration asks
6:55 PM — Audience Q&A
7:05 PM — Closing Remarks & Transition to Networking
7:10 PM — Networking & Snacks
Structured prompts, a resource table, and sign-ups for mentorship and partnerships.
7:30 PM — Event Close
This event is part of WBBC’s broader mission to educate, advocate, and activate communities around emerging technology and financial innovation — ensuring the future is built inclusively, collaboratively, and with intention.
We look forward to building forward together.