| Delegate Briefing
Date: April 4, 2025
Time: 12:45 pm ET – 3:30 pm ET/11:45am CT – 2:30pm CT
Location: Virtual (link to join will be provided before the event) Registration: https://midsouthstreaming.com/LIVES/Memphis_Live.php Co-Hosts
- John Hope Bryant, Founder, Chairman and CEO, Operation HOPE
- Honorable Paul Young, Mayor, City of Memphis
- Bernice A. King, CEO, The King Center
- Ambassador Andrew Young, Chairman, The Andrew Young Foundation
About
Operation HOPE and The City of Memphis will host a historic virtual town hall and working session on April 4, 2025, the 57th anniversary of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s assassination. The event, titled “Where Do We Go From Here? The Future of Inclusive Economics – and a New Business Plan for America,” will bring together 100 of the nation’s most influential leaders from various sectors, including business, finance, technology, policy, faith, civil society, entertainment, and community development, and feature special appearances by Dr. King’s daughter, Dr. Bernice A. King, and his chief strategist Ambassador Andrew J. Young, who was present on the Lorraine Motel balcony when Dr. King was killed.
Co-hosted by Operation HOPE Founder and CEO John Hope Bryant and Memphis Mayor Paul Young at the National Civil Rights Museum at the former Lorraine Motel in Memphis, the event will feature critical dialogue among the delegates focused on economic empowerment, wealth creation and expanding opportunities for all Americans. Delegates will participate virtually, allowing for a dynamic and inclusive dialogue with some of the country’s most influential voices.
The Plans – Working Documents for Review
In advance of the April 4th Dream Forward virtual town hall, and to help guide and drive the discussion, we are sharing the “Inclusive Economic Business Plans” authored by John Hope Bryant with support from the Operation HOPE Research & Impact Institute and senior leadership teams.
These framework documents, combined with the white papers submitted by the 100 Founding Delegates and Dream Forward featured speakers, will be expanded and deepened by collaboration partners Emory University, Department of Economics under the academic leadership of Professor Caroline Fohlin and Sam Cherribi and Clark Atlanta University’s School of Business under the leadership of Dean Udoka.
These documents are embargoed until April 4th and we ask that you keep them confidential until that time. All submitted white papers, including those linked herein, are considered proprietary and cannot be reproduced or distributed without written permission. We thank you in advance for the investment of your time and your valuable leadership.
Ground Rules
No hate. No platforming of grievances. No politics.
Focus on economic solutions: our goal is to bridge the unfinished work of Dr. King into the future with a “business plan” that works for all Americans.
Program
12:45 PM: WELCOME
- Honorable Paul Young, Mayor, City of Memphis
12:47 PM: Honoring King’s Final Movement
- John Hope Bryant, Founder, Chairman and CEO, Operation HOPE
- Bernice A. King, CEO, The King Center
- Ambassador Andrew J. Young, Chair, The Andrew J. Young Foundation
1:00 PM “Into the Future: A Conversation with OpenAI CEO Sam Altman”
- Sam Altman, CEO, OpenAI
Moderator: John Hope Bryant, Founder, Chairman and CEO, Operation HOPE
1:15 PM: PART ONE: WHERE ARE WE?
“A Moment of Truth: Assessing the Economic Landscape”
As economic uncertainty shapes America, this panel of business and policy leaders will analyze today’s economic climate and its specific impacts on underrepresented communities. Speakers will discuss immediate realities, potential economic shifts, and critical opportunities for economic advancement.
- Thasunda Brown Duckett, President and CEO, TIAA
- Honorable Mick Mulvaney, Co-Chair, Actum and former White House Chief of Staff
- Joseph Otting, Exec Chair, President, and CEO, Flagstar Financial, and 31st U.S. Comptroller of the Currency
- Steve Steinour, Chairman, President and CEO, Huntington Bank
Moderator: Frank Holland, Anchor, Worldwide Exchange, CNBC
1:40 PM: “A Conversation with Walmart President and CEO Doug McMillon”
- Doug McMillon, President and CEO, Walmart
Moderator: John Hope Bryant, Founder, Chairman and CEO, Operation HOPE
1:55PM: “The Power and Possibility of Entrepreneurship”
- Harley Finkelstein, President, Shopify
2:00 PM: “Reimagining Opportunity: Transformational Ideas to Reshape America’s Economy”
America has always embraced bold challenges and innovative solutions, delivering transformative ideas that have reshaped opportunity and strengthened the economic fabric of the nation. What actionable strategies can unlock innovation, entrepreneurship, and lasting growth, particularly in communities historically left behind?
- Honorable Andre Dickens, Mayor, City of Atlanta
- Brian Hooks, President and CEO, Stand Together, and President, The Charles Koch Foundation
- Van Jones, Founder, Dream Machine Innovation Lab
Moderator: T.D. Jakes, Chairman, TDJ Enterprises
2:25PM: PART TWO: WHERE DO WE GO FROM HERE?
“Redefining Wealth: Achieving Economic Freedom and Self- Determination”
Redefining wealth can open pathways for underserved communities to self- determination and economic power. How can individuals create lasting wealth, ownership, and opportunity, while fostering prosperity for communities historically excluded from financial success?
- Charlamagne Tha God, Co-Host, The Breakfast Club
- Tip “T.I.” Harris, 3X Grammy winner, Artist, Entrepreneur, and Comedian
- George T. French, Jr., President, Clark Atlanta University
Moderator: Jabari Young, Editor, ForbesBLK
2:45 PM: “Blueprint for Action: Designing a Business Plan for America”
What shape will a new economic vision that expands opportunity and drives inclusive growth take? What are the bold ideas and collaborative strategies that will foster economic resilience, broaden prosperity, and ensure America’s economic future benefits all communities?
- Ray McGuire, President, Lazard
- Michael Milken, Chair, The Milken Institute
- Mike “Killer Mike” Render, 3X Grammy winner, host, Love & Respect with Killer Mike, Entrepreneur and Activist
- Alex Rodriguez, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, A-Rod
- Honorable Raphael G. Warnock, U.S. Senator, State of Georgia
Moderator: Janai Norman, Anchor, ABC News
3:15 PM: “Closing: A Call to Action”
- Ambassador Andrew J. Young, Chair, The Andrew J. Young Foundation
- Honorable Paul Young, Mayor, City of Memphis
Moderator: John Hope Bryant, Founder, Chairman and CEO, Operation HOPE
In Preparation
- Send a current bio and hi-res headshot to debbie.fiddyment@operationhope.org.
- Submit a written statement/white paper (300-1200 words), stating your views on the importance of inclusive economic growth and how we might get there. Statements will be posted on the event website with your photo and bio and distributed as a digital magazine post-event. Upload HERE.
- Invite your network to participate by sharing the link. https://midsouthstreaming.com/LIVES/Memphis_Live.php
- Create a video to post on your social networks, letting your followers know that you will be participating and inviting people to register. Sample language:
“I have a special invitation for you to participate in a vital conversation. I’m excited to announce that I will be joining some of today’s most influential leaders – like Sam Altman, TD Jakes, Walmart CEO Doug McMillon, and Van Jones – for an important conversation on growing economic inclusion LIVE on April 4th, the 57th anniversary of Dr. King’s assassination. I’m inviting you as my guest to listen in on this historic gathering as we advance a “business plan for America” – to grow an economy that truly works for everyone, working to finish the dream Dr. King started almost 60 years ago. Link in Bio (or below)” https://midsouthstreaming.com/LIVES/Memphis_Live.php
@operationhope @johnhopebryant @thekingcenter @City of Memphis #DreamForward
Contacts
General: Bill Fair, Operation HOPE, bill.fair@operationhope.org
Program: Kevin Boucher, Operation HOPE, kevin.boucher@operationhope.org
Media: Kevin Boucher, Operation HOPE, kevin.boucher@operationhope.org Penelope Huston, City of Memphis, penelope.huston@memphistn.gov