​Honor the legacy. Own the future.

​This Black History Month, BLCK VC, Chicago:Blend, and TeamWorking by TechNexus are turning up the volume. We’re inviting the Chicago ecosystem—investors, founders, builders, and dreamers—to an evening where culture meets capital and the community takes the mic.

​At last year's BHM Celebration, we heard from some brilliant leaders. This year, we’re digging deeper by bringing the stage to you. We’re passing the mic to the architects, the disruptors, and the visionaries in the room for a night of radical visibility and collective growth.

​The Lineup:

• ​The Beats: Curated Sounds

• ​The Fuel: Light Bites & Drinks

• ​The Keynote: YOU 🫵

​🎤 The Feature: Pitch & Pulse

​We’re shaking up the traditional format to ensure the entire room is heard. During our Pitch & Pulse segment, we’re opening the floor for a high-octane town hall. No scripts, no moderators—just 15 minutes of pure community energy.

​The Rules of the Mic:

• ​The Content: This is for everyone. Founders, give us your Pitch. Investors, tell us your thesis. Career-shifters or ecosystem builders, share your Pulse (a need, a lead, or a reflection on Black excellence in tech).

• ​The Limit: We have space for 15 voices to hit the stage. Slots are first-come, first-served.

• ​The Clock: You get 60 seconds—and we mean it! To keep the energy high and the program tight, we’ll be keeping a strict clock.

​One minute. Your voice. Our community.

​The Vibe:

• ​🤝 Meaningful Collisions: This night is built on "The Warm Up" and "The Build." Come ready to connect with the people moving Chicago’s tech industry forward before and after the mic is live.

• ​⚡ Subversive & Spirit-Forward: We’re breaking the fourth wall. This is a space designed for unfiltered conversation and the "real talk" that happens when the community leads the way.

• ​🥂 Culture & Connection: Celebrate our shared legacy with great music, light bites, and an atmosphere charged with Chicago excellence.

​The Run of Show:

• ​5:30 PM | The Warm Up: Arrival, drinks, and networking. Sign up for one of the 15 "Pitch & Pulse" slots at the door.

• ​6:15 PM | Pitch & Pulse: A quick welcome from the hosts followed by our 15-minute community sprint.

• ​6:35 PM | The Build: Networking continues. Now that you’ve heard the "Pitch & Pulse," go find the people you need to meet.

• ​7:30 PM | Event Ends.

​Hosted at: TeamWorking by TechNexus
Open to all allies, advocates, and innovators who believe that the future of tech is diverse, bold, and brilliant.