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.