Our
Speakers
Our lineup of speakers features some of the most respected and influential figures in business, politics, academia, and more. These leaders are pioneers in their respective fields and are joining us to share their knowledge, experiences, and insights. From groundbreaking entrepreneurs to visionary leaders, our speakers are here to inspire and empower you. Stay tuned for announcements on our speaker lineup and prepare to be inspired.
The Hon. Philip Davis
Prime Minister of The Bahamas
Philip ‘Brave’ Davis is a Bahamian politician serving as the prime minister of the Bahamas since 2021.
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A man of humble beginnings, Davis worked his way through school as a packing boy and on construction sites, rising to become an internationally recognized human rights activist and accomplished litigator and President of the Bahamas Bar Association.
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As Minister of Works and Urban Development, Davis made sure that more than 1,000 homes in the Family Islands and in New Providence were provided with potable water and inside toilettes for the first time. He also oversaw infrastructure improvement across The Bahamas, including fixing hundreds of roads, bringing lights to the Family Island airports, rebuilding seawalls and repairing buildings and docks damaged by the hurricanes.
Davis put in place the Urban Renewal Small Homes Repairs Program, which helped more than 1,000 homeowners and provided employment to thousands of contractors and tradesperson.
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Throughout his career in law and public service, Davis has personally mentored and helped hundreds of Bahamians no matter their political affiliation. He firmly believes that “the value of our lives should be measured by the impact we have on others.”
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Happily married to Ann Marie Davis and a father of six, he is a member of Toastmaster Club 1600 and a keen sportsman interested in baseball, softball, swimming and athletics.
David A. Thomas
President, Morehouse College
David A. Thomas, Ph.D., president of Morehouse College, is internationally recognized for his expertise in organizational management and higher education leadership. A noted academic scholar, awardwinning author, and business consultant for 100 of the Fortune 500 companies, Dr. Thomas has also served as dean of Georgetown University’s McDonough School of Business and on the faculty of Harvard Business School and the Wharton School of Business at the University of Pennsylvania.
At Morehouse, his fundraising leadership has resulted in approximately $190 million, a still-growing total higher than during any other presidential tenure in the history of the college. Under his strategic direction, Morehouse has extended its reach by launching its first online degree programs and has amplified its positioning as a center of intellectual discourse and social engagement in areas such as global leadership, professional equity, social justice, and innovation. He has written or co-written three books and more than 100 scholarly articles, book chapters, cases, and teaching notes.
Among other honors, Dr. Thomas is the recipient of Washington Business Journal’s “Minority Business Leader of the Year” award and the National Executive Forum’s Beacon Award and was named one of “Atlanta’s 500 Most Powerful Leaders” by Atlanta Magazine. Getting Serious About Diversity: Enough Already with the Business Case, co-written by Dr. Thomas, won the 2020 HBR McKinsey Award as the best Harvard Business Review article of the year. He serves on the boards of DTE Energy, Commonfund, Vanguard, and Yale Corporation. He is also a senior advisor for Grain Management. He earned a Ph.D. in organizational behavior studies and a Master of Philosophy in organizational behavior, both from Yale University, along with a Master of Organizational Psychology from Columbia University and a Bachelor of Administrative Sciences from Yale College.
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Dr. Cornel West
Theologian
Dr. Cornel West, affectionately known to many as Brother West, is the Dietrich Bonhoeffer Chair at Union Theological Seminary. Dr. West teaches on the works of Dietrich Bonhoeffer, as well as courses in Philosophy of Religion, African American Critical Thought, and a wide range of subjects -- including but by no means limited to, the classics, philosophy, politics, cultural theory, literature, and music. He has a passion to communicate to a vast variety of publics in order to keep alive the legacy of Martin Luther King, Jr. – a legacy of telling the truth and bearing witness to love and justice.
Dr. West is the former Professor of the Practice of Public Philosophy at Harvard University and Professor Emeritus at Princeton University. Cornel West graduated Magna Cum Laude from Harvard in three years and obtained his M.A. and Ph.D. in Philosophy at Princeton. He has written 20 books and has edited 13. He is best known for his classics, Race Matters and Democracy Matters, and for his memoir, Brother West: Living and Loving Out Loud. His most recent book, Black Prophetic Fire, offers an unflinching look at nineteenth and twentieth-century African American leaders and their visionary legacies.
Dr. West has partnered with MasterClass.com to provide teachings on several influential courses including a class with Pharrell Williams on Empathy, MasterClass’s first-ever multi-instructor class on Black History, Black Freedom & Black Love, as well as Dr. West’s standalone class on Philosophy. Visit www.cornelwest.com and click the MasterClass banner to learn more.
Dr. Nii-Quartelai Quartey
Author, Political Journalist, Professor
Dr. Nii-Quartelai Quartey is an author, political journalist, Pepperdine University professor and prominent convener in the fields of dialogue and social change. Born into a Ghanaian-American family, Dr. Quartey holds a doctoral degree in organizational leadership and a master’s degree in social entrepreneurship and change from Pepperdine University. He also holds a bachelor's degree in political science with a minor in critical approaches to leadership from University of Southern California. Throughout his career, he has been featured on various media outlets, including The Oprah Winfrey Show, CBS News, MSNBC, CNN, NewsNation, SiriusXM, TheGrio and as a daily news anchor for FOX Broadcasting and FOX SOUL. He currently serves as Host of A More Perfect Union radio talk show and podcast produced by KBLA Talk 1580, owned and operated by Tavis Smiley.
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Before returning to his passion for political journalism, for over a decade Dr. Quartey had been actively engaged in policy advocacy efforts on issues ranging from civil and human rights to childhood obesity to senior issues. These experiences have been foundational to Dr. Quartey’s distinctive approach to political journalism where he aspires to humanize leaders, listens for teachable moments, cautionary tales, and challenges underlying assumptions.
Dr. Rashad Richey
University Professor, Political Commentator
Dr. Rashad Richey is a university professor who has provided lecture series for multiple notable institutions: the University of Michigan, Reinhardt University, Morehouse School of Medicine, and Clark Atlanta University. He’s also President of Rolling Out, the largest free-print urban publication in America.
Dr. Richey is an Emmy-nominated TV news analyst and the daily opinion news anchor for ‘Indisputable’ on the TYT Network, syndicated live on multiple national cable stations and distributed on streaming platforms. He has a combined 1.7 million subscribers on YouTube and Facebook Watch, and over 1 million podcast downloads, placing him in the top 5% of all podcasts.
As host of the award-winning, Rashad Richey Morning Show on News Talk 1380-WAOK and V-103FM (HD3), Dr. Richey was voted “Best Talk Radio Personality in Atlanta” by readers of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, a first for an African-American.
Dr. Richey consistently highlights injustices and seeks remedies for these oppressive elements in America and beyond. He has interviewed everyone from Vice President Kamala Harris to Ice Cube. He has provided political commentary for CBS News Atlanta, MSNBC, and Fox News. Dr. Richey also has a popular Sunday wrap-up show on SiriusXM Urban View called the “Dr. Rashad Richey Wrap-Up”.
Dr. Richey completed doctoral research studies at Clark Atlanta University in Federal Policy Reform, a second Ph.D. from the Business University of Costa Rica in International Intersectionality associated with Policy and Religion, a Master of Science in Applied Physics; Quantum Mechanics through the Universidad Empresarial’s Para-University International Program for English-speaking students, and an MBA from Beulah Heights University. He also holds a Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy & Religious Studies and a Bachelor of Science in Applied Psychology.
Bishop Neil Ellis
Spiritual Leader
Bishop Neil Ellis, a venerated spiritual leader and prolific author, has made profound impacts in religious communities both locally and globally. As the retired Senior Pastor of Mt.
Tabor Union Baptist Church, he shepherded his congregation with wisdom and compassion. Bishop Ellis expanded his influence by founding the Global United Fellowship, which aims to unify and empower Christian congregations worldwide. His leadership extended further as he served as the State Overseer and Presiding Bishop within the Full Gospel Baptist Church Fellowship. Recognized for his contributions to spiritual enlightenment, he was honored with the prestigious Trumpet Award. Additionally, Bishop Ellis holds the distinction of being the youngest inductee into the Civil Rights Walk of Fame in Atlanta, Georgia, reflecting his significant contributions to civil rights advocacy. An accomplished author, he has written over 20 books that explore and expound upon various aspects of faith and leadership.
Meet Carlos Palacious – engineer by training, environmentalist by nature, entrepreneur at heart and executive by profession. He was the first Bahamian Coastal Engineer and is a licensed Professional Engineer in The Bahamas, Canada, and the USA. He also holds a global certification as a Project Management Professional (PMP) and is a licensed real estate salesperson in The Bahamas. Carlos is a Founder and Managing Principal of several engineering and technical-related businesses, including Bron Ltd. (development consulting), Eeden Farms (climate-resilient farming), and BluTerra (sustainable manufacturing).
Throughout his career, Carlos has led many of the largest and most nationally significant public and private sector development projects and studies in recent times. He was named to the prestigious 2024 University of Florida 40 Gators Under 40 list, acknowledging alumni with significant industry impact and notable achievements. In 2021, Carlos was honored by Project Y Bahamas as one of the top 48 millennials for his contributions to the environment, media, service, business, and social change. Additionally, he was recognized among the 2018 Professional Services Bahamas top 40 under 40. In addition to professional achievements, Carlos holds many leadership roles in professional, civic, and religious organizations. He is a regular presenter at national and regional forums on hurricane preparedness and response, climate change adaptation, and sustainable development. Carlos is married to Anastarcia and they have two children, Cairo and Chosen.
Carlos Palacious
Engineer | Environmentalist | Entrepreneur | Executive
Sebastian J.D. Bastian
Entrepreneur
His Excellency Sebastian J. Bastian: A Visionary Entrepreneur.
Sebastian J.D. Bastian, Principal and Director, is a name synonymous with innovation and strategic foresight in the Bahamas' business landscape. His educational journey at ATI Technical Institution in Miami, Florida, and numerous personal development and technical programs have equipped him with the skills to manage a diverse portfolio of business interests effectively.
Sebastian, known affectionately as Sebas, is recognized for his ambition and industrious nature. His extensive managerial and operational experience spans multiple industries, including electronics, telecommunications, gaming, real estate, and construction. His career began with
notable success in the satellite dish business during the 1990s, where he capitalized on the growth phase of the industry, achieving significant annual sales. Demonstrating remarkable foresight, he exited the market just as technological shifts were on the horizon.
Sebastian's entrepreneurial prowess continued as he became the largest distributor of phone cards in the Bahamas at the peak of that industry. Through innovative packaging and bundling strategies, he generated substantial annual sales before strategically exiting the business.
In 2009, Sebastian co-founded Island Luck, a venture that quickly ascended to the top of the gaming industry. Under his leadership, Island Luck became a market leader with impressive annual sales and a loyal customer base. His business acumen and innovative strategies have cemented Island Luck's position in the industry.
Sebastian's business ventures extend beyond gaming. He has made significant strides in real estate development, amassing a portfolio of prime residential, commercial, and industrial properties. Additionally, he has ventured into IT software development, further enhancing his business capabilities. His diverse holdings also include a radio and television media company, showcasing his multifaceted business interests and his ability to innovate across various
sectors.
A key highlight of his business expansion is the establishment of Brickell Management Group. Brickell Management Group specializes in managing a diverse and dynamic portfolio of assets, including residential, commercial, and industrial properties. This portfolio encompasses a range of high-value properties, from luxury residences to expansive commercial spaces and industrial
facilities. Under Sebastian's strategic guidance, Brickell Management Group has flourished, securing its reputation as a leader in property management and development.
In 2021, Sebastian further expanded his business empire with the acquisition of Aeropost, an international e-commerce and logistics company, enhancing the reach and capabilities of his business ventures.
Internationally, Sebastian's investments span from Malta to Central America and the United States, reflecting his global business vision. In 2022, he was appointed as the Bahamas
Ambassador to Central America, a role that underscores his commitment to fostering international relations and economic opportunities for his country.
Sebastian is also the founder of IL Cares and the Own Foundation, which support and fund aspiring local entrepreneurs. His commitment to nation-building is evident through his active engagement in promoting entrepreneurship and economic development in the Bahamas.
Sebastian J. Bastian's visionary leadership, strategic foresight, and unwavering ambition distinguish him as an extraordinary entrepreneur. His journey serves as an inspiration for business aspirants, highlighting the impact of innovative thinking and relentless pursuit of
excellence, coupled with a profound commitment to nation-building.