Friday · September 25
1:00 PM – 2:30 PM · College of Charleston School of Business · Beatty Room 212
Telling Our Stories: Interpreters & Tour Guides
This opening session shares information on becoming a tour guide in Charleston and firsthand experiences from African-American tour guides in the Holy City. Featuring Amy Southerland, City of Charleston Tourism, and Al Miller, Sites & Insights Tours. Moderator: Kwadjo Campbell.
6:00 PM – Until · Holy City Brewing · Room 1021
Opening Mixer: Culture, Cocktails & Connections
Kick off the conference with an evening of culture, cocktails, and connections at Holy City Brewing, Room 1021, while networking with tourism leaders, entrepreneurs, and community partners. Enjoy specialty crafted cocktails by Johnny of the Cocktail Bandits as we celebrate Black culture, business, and tourism in Charleston. Location: 1021 Aragon Ave, North Charleston, SC 29405.
Saturday · September 26
8:30 AM
Registration & Continental Breakfast
Wells Fargo Auditorium Lobby.
9:00 AM
Welcome: Kwadjo Campbell
Chair, SC African-American Tourism Council. Greetings from local officials and tourism partners in the Wells Fargo Auditorium.
9:30 AM – 10:30 AM · Wells Fargo Auditorium
Opening Plenary: Beyond Tourism
Building Black wealth through culture. Moderator: Courtney Young. Panelists include Rochelle Riley, Dr. Tiffany Bailey Lash, Twila Jones, Christopher B. Thompson, and Arun Drummond.
10:45 AM – 1:00 PM · Three Tracks
Concurrent Breakout Sessions
Product Development, Resource Development, and Marketing & Technology sessions across Rooms 216, 218, 220, and 214.
1:00 PM – 3:00 PM · Tate Center
Lunch, State of Black Tourism & Award Presentations
State of Black Tourism Address with Kwadjo Campbell, followed by award presentations celebrating leaders, innovators, and organizations.
Saturday Breakout Tracks
Track 1 · Product Development
10:45 AM – 11:45 AM · Room 216
Designing Authentic Cultural Experiences
Explore how cultural history, community stories, and visitor experiences can become stronger tourism products. Featuring Marc Gibson, Lori L. Johnson, the African-American Historical & Genealogical Society, and Malika Pryor.
12:00 PM – 1:00 PM · Room 216
Preserving History While Growing Tourism
Examine how communities can protect historic places, cultural traditions, land, and heritage while building sustainable visitor economies. Featuring Shanel Jackson and Dawn Dawson-House.
Track 2 · Resource Development
10:45 AM – 11:45 AM · Room 218
Finding the Money
Learn how tourism organizations, nonprofits, entrepreneurs, and community leaders can identify and pursue the resources needed to move their ideas forward. Featuring Evelyn Del.
12:00 PM – 1:00 PM · Room 218
Capital for Growth
Discover financing solutions, loan programs, and investor partnerships that can help tourism businesses grow. Featuring Climb Fund, CommunityWorks, LiftFund, Community Loan Fund, and Charleston Small Business Center.
Track 3 · Marketing & Technology
10:45 AM – 11:45 AM · Room 220
AI for Tourism Entrepreneurs
A practical look at using artificial intelligence to strengthen operations, marketing, and visitor engagement. Featuring Donna Davis of D. W. Davis Consulting.
12:00 PM – 1:00 PM · Room 214
Digital Storytelling & Influencer Marketing
Learn how to use digital content and influencer strategies to grow your tourism business, reach new audiences, and create lasting connections. Featuring Victoria Rae Boykin.