I am a first generation curse-breaker
At Invest Fest, Black excellence and belonging.
ATLANTA — On the Saturday before Invest Fest, I started to come down with a case of cold feet.
I never seriously considered backing out of my highly anticipated trip to Atlanta. But a growing concern gnawed at me.
I knew I was a small fish getting set to swim among an ocean of whales. Doubt crept in. Delusions swirled as the day drew closer.
I’ve never been big on conferences. I’m an introvert by nature, and in the investor world, I’m a nobody. I also wasn’t connected to anyone with the event nor was I traveling to Atlanta with someone. Without much to offer others, my thoughts raced about why anyone would care to speak to me and how I could capture their attention.
Then my mother started spamming me and eight others in a group text. The messages came flooding in at 10:50 a.m. on Aug. 19.
“Tune in now to No Excuses, Get it Done with Rock T,” the message read.
I could think of 100 ways I’d rather spend a free Saturday morning than listening to someone I didn’t know, who called himself “Rock T.” But I tuned in, and I’m glad I did. It made all the difference in my approach at Invest Fest.
Rocky “Rock T” Turner is a national radio and television personality and co-host on the nationally syndicated “Rickey Smiley Morning Show.” As the featured speaker at the Empower Series that Saturday morning, Rock T told his inspirational story in a 90-minute address. But over one 40-second stretch, I felt like he was talking directly to me.
He made a point about presence and demonstrated how to command a room. He stressed the importance of exuding confidence and entering rooms looking to engage.
“You ain’t got to be a celebrity just for people to say, ‘Who is that?’ Rock T said. “Man, you walk in like you belong. And when you get into those rooms — belong!”
It was exactly what I needed to hear.
But when I got to Atlanta, I didn’t have to masquerade as someone I’m not. Thousands of others were just like me, new and naive, wide-eyed but willing and eager to learn and network.
In its third year, Invest Fest welcomed a record 20,000 attendees. The sea of black and brown faces, all there for financial literacy and to create a better future for their families, was not just awesome but historic.
It turned out to be the most belonging I’ve ever felt in a room of strangers.
Positive energy radiated throughout the Georgia World Congress Center all weekend. Fellow attendees were focused but friendly. Presenters, panelists, podcasters, keynote speakers and vendors were equally pleasant. Many admitted they too were awestruck when they looked out at the swarm of students staring back at them.
Last year, Invest Fest drew 14,000 attendees. In its first year, the event welcomed 4,000. The uptrend represents a defiant response to a 2017 report that Black household wealth is projected to bottom out by 2053.
It was vital that I showed up and sat with the masses. We are, as thought leader 19 Keys described us, “first generation curse-breakers.” In my leap of faith flying to Atlanta, I took another actionable step in securing my family’s financial future. This one made me stretch.
It required more than simply sitting back reading, listening or watching. It took intentionality, commitment, time and money. But it was necessary for me to continue growing, for me to be introduced to new information and for me to have access to connect with others who understand my mission and might someday be part of my tribe.
I heard successful and insightful speakers: Robert F. Smith. Sean “Diddy” Combs. Junior Bridgeman. Cathie Wood. Michael Novogratz. Ian Dunlap. Rich Paul. Maverick Carter. Inky Johnson.
I shook hands with inspiring entrepreneurs: Troy Millings. Humble Lukanga. Aristotle. Ash Cash. Welby Accely. Xavier Miller. Andre Haynes.
And I discovered several more savvy businesspeople who I’ve since followed on social media: Matthew Garland. Nicky Saunders. David Shands. Shaquanna “Ms. Business” Brooks. Doug Depte.
I learned about social media strategies, real estate, development, credit, insurance, estate planning and, of course, investing. The weekend was so packed with speakers there were overlapping panels I couldn’t get to on A.I., reparations and the business of podcasting.
I took 32 pages of notes over three days.
But my most memorable moment was one I never saw coming. It was a panel of four women, none of whom I was familiar with, discussing all things real estate. It was Saturday night’s second-to-last panel. I was only waiting for the final panel, which was scheduled to feature current NBA players Chris Paul and CJ McCollum. Paul, one of my all-time favorite players, didn’t show. After the women wowed me, I didn’t care.
Adenah Bayoh, Cheryl McKissack Daniel and Terrica Lynn Smith stole the night on a panel hosted by Quiana Watson. All four are heavyweights in real estate. All four are amazing and powerful Black women.
They took turns giving me the most explicit examples of generational wealth that I would see all weekend.
Bayoh is a developer, landlord and restaurant owner. Her five IHOP franchises might be considered play money. She’s in the middle of a 600-plus unit property in New York City.
McKissack Daniel is president and CEO of McKissack & McKissack, the country’s oldest Black-owned professional design and construction company. Her biggest deal? Overseeing the $9.5 billion project at JFK Airport’s international Terminal One. Her family’s company was founded in 1905 and has been operating as its current formation since 1922. McKissack is a fifth generation owner. She addressed the crowd with her family’s sixth generation in the audience.
Lynn Smith overcame long odds to become a developer and crowd-funder. She used to be homeless. Now she’s so powerful she plasters her children’s names on the street signs of her community developments.
Watson, owner of her own real estate agency, shared the feeling of buying her mother a home last year.
Now you can understand why I was concerned. I’m a tiny fish. But I was there, swimming with whales who showed me a new realm of possibilities.
I’m already planning my next conference in October. It won’t match the sense of belonging I felt at Invest Fest.
But when I walk in the room, I’ll know I still belong.
I've always wanted to attend Invest Fest. It's definitely something I'm going to do this year.