Thank you to everyone who made our Essence Festival event a resounding success. Hosted inside the New Voices Entrepreneur Hub, our session—“Owning Our Future”—brought together powerhouse voices at the intersection of innovation, equity, and economic mobility. With support from partners like JPMorganChase, OHUB, New Voices Family Foundation, and the New Orleans BioInnovation Center, the program sparked timely conversations and bold ideas for building the next economy—together. We welcomed a packed room of engaged participants, including students from Dillard WISHES and GNO Rocs, who brought curiosity, energy, and sharp questions. One attendee shared that they came after hearing OHUB’s Chief Product Officer, Kieran Blanks, on WBOK Radio in New Orleans—a powerful reminder that this work is resonating beyond the room and rippling through the community. From packed seats to powerful questions, it’s clear: the appetite for inclusive innovation is real. We’re grateful to all our panelists and partners who helped make this possible—and we look forward to continuing our collaboration with NOBIC and others to grow this work even further. Photos and other highlights will be featured in NOBIC’s summer newsletter—stay tuned. #EssenceFest #InclusiveInnovation #OHUB #NOBIC #BlackTech #FutureOfWork #NewVoices #Entrepreneurship #HealthEquity #CommunityCapital