The Russell Innovation Center for Entrepreneurs (RICE) continues to elevate Black-owned businesses by providing uncommon access to corporate partners and opportunities that lead to large-scale contracts. This commitment was on full display at the 2025 Festival of the Diaspora (FOTD), where a powerhouse delegation of RICE Staff and Stakeholders took center stage to deliver an impactful presentation, “The Art of the Deal Flow: Building a Legacy Through Strategic Partnerships.”
The Festival of the Diaspora is a premier global convening of Black and Brown entrepreneurs, thought leaders, and changemakers dedicated to fostering economic empowerment across the African diaspora. The 4th annual FOTD, convened in Medellin, Colombia where our team and RICE Stakeholders could connect with some of our amazing partners like Black Ambition, Walmart, and MasterCard. This year, RICE brought its unique blend of innovation, strategy, and community to the forefront, showing the world how we are redefining business success for Black entrepreneurs.
RICE Ready: Equipping Black Entrepreneurs for Big Deals
At RICE, we believe that success is built on preparation and opportunity. That’s why our Big IDEAS curriculum is designed to ensure that our entrepreneurs are RICE Ready—fully equipped to take on significant business deals, secure lucrative contracts, and build sustainable legacies. At the Festival of the Diaspora, we showcased exactly how our Stakeholders are leveraging these principles to scale their businesses and forge powerful partnerships.
Our delegation of Stakeholders represented some of the most dynamic Black-owned businesses in the country, each at different stages of their entrepreneurial journey and within our Big IDEAS continuum:
- Leisha Starchia of Black Feather Mystic LLC (EXECUTE Stage) – Bringing holistic wellness and mindfulness solutions to the marketplace.
- James Hammond of Ikon Filmworks LLC (ACCELERATE Stage) – A visionary filmmaker creating compelling content that resonates with audiences.
- Lawrence Henderson of Business Operational Support Services, LLC dba BOSS Consulting LLC (ACCELERATE Stage) – Providing leadership development and operational excellence to businesses.
- Carolyn Pitts of Productions.com (ACCELERATE Stage) – A tech-driven platform revolutionizing the media and entertainment industry.
- Jahari Soward of NPursuit Career Partners (SCALE Stage) – Empowering professionals with career strategies and workforce solutions.
Additionally, Monica Williams CEO of Red Drop, RICE Stakeholder in the ACCELERATE Stage, and Retail Readiness Academy ™ participant was featured on the Black Ambition & Casa Innovation panel on the FOTD Main Stage, sharing her journey to winning the $2 million grand prize in 2024.
Mastering the Art of the Deal Flow
The highlight of our participation was the insightful presentation led by Dr. Quintin Bostic, RICE’s Director of Partnerships & Development. The session took attendees through the Deal Flow Process, providing a roadmap for identifying, qualifying, and cultivating high-value partnerships. Inspired by the legacy of Herman J. Russell, our methodology emphasizes the importance of strategic networking, relationship building, and the art of crafting compelling proposals that lead to win-win negotiations.
The panel discussion, featuring our RICE Stakeholders, gave a real-world look at how these strategies translate into securing corporate partnerships. Through firsthand accounts, attendees learned how Black entrepreneurs can move beyond small-scale contracts to land game-changing deals with major corporations.
A Transformational Experience for RICE Staff & Stakeholders
For our team, this event wasn’t just about sharing knowledge—it was about creating tangible connections and unlocking new opportunities. The RICE delegation, including Chief Experience Officer Monica Delores Hooks, Director of Community Paul Mayberry, and Director of Innovative Solutions Shakiri Murrain, played a pivotal role in ensuring that our Stakeholders maximized every moment of the experience. Whether through curated networking sessions, one-on-one meetings with investors, or engaging in collaborative discussions with global business leaders, our team worked seamlessly together to position RICE as a leading force in Black business innovation.
The Ripple Effect: What’s Next for RICE and Our Stakeholders
The 2025 Festival of the Diaspora was more than an event—it was a launchpad. As our Stakeholders return to Atlanta, they bring back not only invaluable insights but also new partnerships, potential deals, and the momentum to scale their businesses even further. RICE remains committed to ensuring that every entrepreneur in our ecosystem is equipped with the tools, knowledge, and connections to thrive in competitive markets.
“The Festival of the Diaspora was a great opportunity for us to promote RICE on an international stage. We connected with both familiar and new businesses, allowing us to explore future partnership possibilities that align with our work,” said Paul Mayberry, Director of Community.
This is just the beginning. By continuously expanding our reach and reinforcing our mission, RICE is setting the stage for a future where Black-owned businesses are not just participants in the global economy, but leaders of it.
Stay tuned as we continue to build, connect, and innovate—because at RICE, we don’t just create opportunities; we create legacy.
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