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Tag: Rashad Bilal

  • Riverside Hawks Gala Celebrates Education & Community

    Harlem’s renowned Riverside Hawks program recently celebrated its 65th Annual Sports Gala, themed “The Power of the Game.” The event, held at The Grill and The Pool in New York City, brought together leaders in sports, business, and media to honor the program’s enduring legacy of developing young student-athletes both on and off the court.

    Honoring Excellence in Education and Sport

    Hosted by award-winning journalist Michelle Miller, the evening highlighted the Hawks’ commitment to empowering youth through education and athletic development. The gala featured a dynamic panel discussion moderated by Erika Irish Brown, Head of Talent Management & Engagement at Citi and a Riverside Hawks Board Member.

    The panel included Rashad Bilal and Troy Millings of Earn Your Leisure, and Jose Minaya, Global Head of BNY Investments and Wealth. They shared insights on leadership, mentorship, and the importance of community. Other notable speakers included Crystal McCrary McGuire, writer and filmmaker, and Coach Keydren Clark, a two-time NCAA Division I scoring champion.

    Key Honorees and Award Recipients

    Coach Zach Kuba, Head Coach of Riverside Hawks Select, was honored as Coach of the Year, celebrating his dedication and impact on the young athletes. The evening also recognized Erika Irish Brown, Rashad Bilal, Troy Millings, and Jose Minaya for their outstanding leadership and commitment to the Hawks’ mission.

    These honorees were celebrated for their mentorship and their role in fostering excellence through the powerful combination of education and sport, embodying the spirit of the Riverside Hawks program.

    Earn Your Leisure’s Role in the Celebration

    Earn Your Leisure, known for its focus on financial literacy and entrepreneurship, played a significant role in the evening’s festivities. Bilal and Millings, as honorees and speakers, brought their unique perspectives on building success and giving back to the community.

    The Riverside Hawks program has a storied history, having produced numerous NBA stars and college graduates over the decades. This 65th annual gala served as a powerful reminder of the program’s lasting impact and its continued dedication to shaping future leaders.

    • Celebrated 65 years of developing student-athletes.
    • Honored leaders in sports, business, and media.
    • Featured panel discussions on education, empowerment, and community.
    • Recognized Earn Your Leisure’s Rashad Bilal and Troy Millings.
    • Highlighted the importance of mentorship and leadership.

    The event underscored the vital connection between sports, education, and community building, reinforcing the Riverside Hawks’ mission for generations to come.

    What are your thoughts on the importance of programs like the Riverside Hawks? Share your experiences in the comments below!

  • InvestFest 2025: Bilal & Millings Detail Bigger Event

    Get ready for InvestFest 2025! The powerhouse financial literacy event, hosted by Earn Your Leisure creators Rashad Bilal and Troy Millings, is set to return to Atlanta with an even more impactful experience. This year promises bigger stages, more opportunities for lucrative deals, and a significant $125,000 pitch competition, solidifying its reputation as a premier destination for financial empowerment.

    A Year of Planning for Three Days of Impact

    Bilal and Millings are meticulously planning InvestFest 2025, taking place August 22-24 at the Georgia World Congress Center. Millings described the process as “12 months for three days,” emphasizing their dedication to creating an event that is “super concentrated on what we feel like the community needs to know.” This focus ensures attendees receive direct insights from experts on crucial topics like AI, real estate, and cryptocurrency.

    Beyond the main panels, InvestFest features a vibrant marketplace showcasing over 400 businesses. This unique space fosters networking and cultivates new business ideas, aiming to create a dynamic environment where partnerships flourish and like-minded individuals can explore ventures. Millings highlighted this concentrated approach as key to delivering valuable information and real-world connections.

    Introducing the Deal Room and $125K Pitch Competition

    This year’s InvestFest introduces game-changing additions: the Deal Room and a live Open Pitch competition with a substantial $125,000 prize. Bilal explained that the Deal Room, which debuted last year, is being expanded to connect founders directly with active investors and business leaders. “Funding is real hard to get in our community. So we have a platform, we have resources that we want to use, give opportunity to entrepreneurs,” Bilal stated.

    The pitch competition will feature notable judges, including Atlanta native and NBA star Jaylen Brown, as well as Angela Simmons. Millings emphasized the Deal Room’s significance, calling it a unique opportunity to bring together concentrated audiences interested in investing in startups, rather than keeping such opportunities exclusive.

    Challenging Perceptions and Building Community

    Bilal and Millings are keen to change the narrative around investing, countering the misconception that it’s akin to gambling. “Investing is [often thought of as] gambling, and we try to change the narrative on that. InvestFest is built on education, so as long as you have education, you’re not gambling. If you’re trying to invest, you’re just doing a calculation,” Bilal clarified.

    For those who might find the scale of InvestFest overwhelming, Millings recommended utilizing the event’s app to plan their schedule and identify key sessions and speakers. He also pointed to the powerful sense of community, where novices can find support and friendships, with attendees often helping each other navigate the festival.

    Vision for a ‘New Black Wall Street’

    The duo envisions InvestFest as a key component of a “new Black Wall Street,” which they describe not as a physical location but as a “financial ecosystem” and an online network. The InvestFest marketplace serves as a tangible example of this, fostering economic empowerment within the Black community. Millings stated, “Black Wall Street for 2025 is not a physical location, but an idea, an online network.”

    Looking ahead, Bilal mentioned the success of a previous international InvestFest in London and expressed interest in expanding the event globally, particularly to Africa. Their ultimate goal, they shared, is to impact lives by helping people change their thinking, make money, shape their families, and avoid trouble.

    Are you planning to attend InvestFest 2025? What are you most excited about? Share your thoughts and plans in the comments below!