The 2021 International Leadership Summit (ILS) will be a transformative experience for those of you who are ready to become a more agile, effective leader in today’s ever-evolving climate.
As a visionary, entrepreneur, intrapreneur, and leader, this is your exclusive opportunity to network with some of the world’s most influential leaders in business, finance, and technology, among other spaces. And, it’s all happening at the Charlotte Convention Center in Charlotte, North Carolina, from April 29 through May 1, 2021!
Check back soon for more information on registration and other 2021 ILS updates in the coming months.
T.D. Jakes is a charismatic leader, visionary, provocative thinker, and entrepreneur who serves as senior pastor of The Potter’s House, a 30,000-member Dallas-based church. He is also the founder of T.D. Jakes Ministries, a global humanitarian organization. Named ”America’s Best Preacher” by Time Magazine and CNN, Jakes’ voice reverberates from the world’s most prominent stages. Beyond the pulpit, Jakes is the recipient of numerous humanitarian awards. His global impact has empowered leaders at high profile conference series, including the International Leadership Summit (formerly International Pastors and Leadership Conference), among others. He is also the founder of the new Jakes Divinity School. Additionally, his reach spans across television, radio, and countless films, including A Dog’s Way Home, Miracles from Heaven, and Jumping the Broom. Author of numerous New York Times bestsellers, including Instinct: The Power to Unleash Your Inborn Drive and DESTINY: Step Into Your Purpose, his latest release, Crushing: God Turns Pressure Into Power, is a must-have for leaders. Married to Serita for more than three decades, he is the father of five and a proud grandfather.
Steven Furtick is a pastor, songwriter, and New York Times best-selling author. As founder and lead pastor, he has helped the multisite Elevation Church evolve into a global ministry through online streaming, television, and the music of Elevation Worship. He is the author of Crash the Chatterbox, Greater, Sun Stand Still, (Un)Qualified, and Seven-Mile Miracle. Additionally, he holds a master of divinity degree from Southern Theological Seminary. Pastor Steven and Holly, his wife, live in Charlotte, North Carolina, with their two sons, Elijah and Graham, and daughter, Abbey.
Ivy McGregor is the CEO and chief architect of IVY Inc., where she provides innovative vision strategic consulting to organizations and individuals. She is also the director of social responsibility for BeyGOOD, the philanthropic umbrella for Parkwood Entertainment, founded by Beyoncé Knowles-Carter. Through BeyGOOD, Ms. McGregor has led efforts to eradicate homelessness, poverty, economic inequity, and to support women entrepreneur empowerment. She has led Hurricane Harvey relief efforts and scholarship programs, as well as successful water restoration initiatives in both Flint, Michigan; and Burundi, Africa. She has over 25 years of experience in business strategies, social enterprise, and global partnerships. A distinguished CAA and TEDx speaker, she has graced world stages, including the Global Citizen Festivals in New York’s Central Park, and South Africa for Mandela 100. She has also served as an advisor and board member for organizations and global projects such as Chime for Change. She is the recipient of the Triumph Award by Reverend Al Sharpton and the National Action Network, among others. An author, Ms. McGregor’s fifth published work is scheduled for release fall of 2020. A resident of New York, she is the proud adoptive mother of two incredibly courageous South African young adults.
Tyler Perry is an established actor, director, screenwriter, producer, playwright, and author. Born into poverty and raised in a household scarred by abuse, Tyler fought to find the strength, faith, and perseverance that would later shape his work. He started his career writing plays, many of which inspired his film projects and included the introduction of the now-legendary Madea character, played by Tyler himself. His first feature film, Diary of a Mad Black Woman, debuted at number one nationwide in 2005. His ensuing films, Madea’s Family Reunion and Why Did I Get Married?, among others, have realized massive commercial success worldwide. He also starred in Alex Cross, helped release Academy Award-nominated Precious, and garnered rave reviews for his role in Gone Girl. In the television space, his partnership with Oprah Winfrey introduced For Better or Worse, among other shows on her OWN network. In 2017, he began a partnership with Viacom to include TV, film, and short-form video projects. In 2018, Tyler released two Lionsgate films, Acrimony and A Madea Family Funeral. His newest shows include The Oval and Sistas on BET. Tyler Perry is currently in production for his multiple television series. In 2019, he celebrated the grand opening of Tyler Perry Studios.
Paula Williams Madison is chairman and CEO of Madison Media Management LLC, a Los Angeles-based media consultancy company with global reach. She also serves as a founding partner with The Group Unlimited LLC, a high-level strategy, marketing, and communications consultancy, headquartered in Los Angeles. In 2011, Madison retired from NBCUniversal as president and general manager of NBC4 Los Angeles. She was also regional general manager for NBCU’s Telemundo TV stations Los Angeles, and vice president and news director of NBC4 New York. Under Madison’s watch, WNBC4 Los Angeles earned numerous Emmy, Golden Mike, and Regional Edward R. Murrow Awards. Her concurrent career as a writer and journalist led to a 1996 Peabody Award for NBC4 New York’s investigation, ”A License to Kill.” Paula is the former owner/CEO of the Los Angeles Sparks WNBA basketball team. She also serves on numerous boards, including the Center for Asian American Media. A highly sought-after public speaker, Paula has received countless honors and awards, including the ”75 Most Powerful African Americans in Corporate America” by Black Enterprise magazine in 2005. Paula, whose Chinese name is Lowe Xiao Na (罗笑娜), is the granddaughter of a Hakka Chinese emigrant, whose life is chronicled in her book, Finding Samuel Lowe China, Jamaica, Harlem. A graduate of Vassar College, Paula served 10 years as a Vassar Trustee, among other notable roles.
Lisa Opoku is Goldman Sachs’ global chief operating officer for the Engineering Division and the firm's global strategists. In this role, she oversees the technology management and finance functions. She serves on the Engineering Division Executive Leadership Group, Firmwide Technology Risk Committee, and is a sponsor of the Firmwide Black Network, and a member of the Goldman Sachs Women's Network. Lisa was chief operating officer for the Securities Division in Asia Pacific from 2009 to 2015. She joined Goldman Sachs in 2004 as an attorney in the Legal Division and was hired in 2005 to become the chief operating officer for the Fixed Income, Currency, and Commodities (FICC) Bank Loan Syndications and Trading businesses in New York and London. She was named managing director in 2006 and partner in 2012. Prior to joining the firm, Lisa was a corporate attorney in the law firm of Richards Spears Kibbe & Orbe and was elected to partner in 2004. She is actively involved in the Foundation of Orthopedics and Complex Spine and the Dikembe Mutombo Foundation. Lisa earned a bachelor of arts degree in sociology, summa cum laude, from the University of Minnesota in 1993; in 1996, she received a juris doctor degree from Harvard Law School.
Lady Gifty Tetteh is a practicing barrister and the head of chambers at Chambers of G.D. Tetteh–UK. She is a member of the Honorable Society of the Middle Temple and the first black woman and the youngest to set up chambers in the prestigious Honorable Society of the Middle Temple. She is a solicitor and barrister of the Supreme Court of Ghana. Lady Gifty is also the CEO of Rehoboth Chambers (Tetteh and Tetteh Advocates) in Ghana and appointed a notary public in Ghana. She holds a master of law degree in oil and gas (LLM) from the Robert Gordon University – Aberdeen. Lady Gifty is a listed counsel at the International Criminal Court – The Hague. She regularly gives lectures, and participates in workshops for local authorities across the UK on child/human trafficking, among other topics. She mentors up-and-coming professionals, particularly within the legal sector both in the UK and Ghana. She is multilingual, having studied at the Hungarian Law School in the early 1990s. She is a trustee for multiple charities in the UK; a board member and legal advisor for the Tetteh Quarshie Cocoa Foundation in Ghana; and a patron of the Ghana Education Project. She was recently appointed to the advisory board of the Heritage and Cultural Society of Africa – HACSA.
David L. Steward, founder and chairman of World Wide Technology, Inc. (WWT), was born in Chicago, Illinois, and moved with his family to the rural town of Clinton, Missouri. After graduating from Central Missouri State University in 1973, Mr. Steward relocated to St. Louis, Missouri. He was the first person of color hired by the Missouri Pacific Railroad Company (MoPac) to sell rail services. Upon leaving MoPac, he joined Federal Express as a senior account executive. During his tenure at FedEx, he was recognized as salesman of the year and was inducted into the company's sales hall of fame in 1981. After founding two successful startups, Mr. Steward founded WWT in 1990. Steward and his executive team transformed this once small logistics/transportation audit company into a leading systems integrator and supply chain solutions provider, with over 5,000 employees globally and $13 billion in revenue. Mr. Steward serves on various boards, including the Horatio Alger Association of Distinguished Americans. He holds several honorary doctorate degrees, including an honorary doctor of laws from Washington University. Mr. Steward has been married to his wife, Thelma, for 43 years. Their son, David L. Steward II, is CEO of Polarity Ltd. Their daughter, Kimberly Steward, is CEO of K Period Media.
Kenneth Braswell is the CEO of Fathers Incorporated, an award-winning, national nonprofit organization that supports fathers, practitioners, researchers, and policymakers in providing capacity building services to organizations focused on fathers contributing to the wellness of their children. He brings 30 years of collective work experience managing and leading fatherhood and community programs. Additionally, he serves as the national director of the National Responsible Fatherhood Clearing House (NRFC) (www.fatherhood.gov), where he directs and guides the strategic activities as a national and international resource for fathers, practitioners, researchers, and policymakers. He is the foremost authority on fatherhood and fatherhood initiatives in the United States whose work has appeared in The New York Times, among other well-known media outlets. He is the author of several children's books and curricula for practitioners, as well as the creator of two powerful documentaries: "Spit'in Anger" and "Dark Hearts." Throughout his career, Kenneth has managed over $70 million in Fatherhood programming. He serves on several national boards and committees, including the Little Free Library. Born and raised in Brooklyn, Kenneth currently resides in Atlanta. He and his beautiful wife, Tracy, have five children; he is also an uncle and grandfather.
Keion Henderson is regarded as an effective leader among leaders, with more than 20 years in active ministry, preaching before thousands worldwide. As a visionary, he balances the confluence of ministry and marketplace as CEO of a global business enterprise, The Henderson Management Group. He empowers the way individuals think, act, and operate, as founder of the annual L3 Leadership, Learning & Lifestyle Conference, The Well Experience Relationship Conference, and The Business Lab. Keion is the senior pastor of The Lighthouse Church, with more than 10,000 members at four campuses. Recognized as a CNN Heroes Award nominee, among other honors, his outreach efforts realized more than 200,000 meals in his local community and disaster aid initiatives in Haiti, Florida, and Southeast Texas. Keion is the loving father of three daughters.
John F. Hannah is a husband, pastor, speaker, and author whose impact has transformed the lives of thousands through selfless ministry, prayer, and dedication. His career began as a juvenile probation officer in Chicago’s Cook County, where his love for urban youth and teaching others how to cultivate their relationship with God through prayer became the bedrock for his pastoral passion. Today, John is the founder and lead pastor of New Life Covenant Church Southeast, a nondenominational, multicultural church on the South Side of Chicago, with more than 20,000 members. John lives in Chicago, Illinois, with his wife of 26 years, Anna Hannah. She serves alongside John, supporting his vision and the mission of New Life Covenant Southeast.
The International Leadership Summit (ILS) continues to be one of the largest, transformative leadership conferences for visionaries, entrepreneurs, intrapreneurs, and leaders around the world.
Every year, thousands of aspiring entrepreneurs, tenured leaders, and influential change agents convene over three days to glean invaluable leadership insights from Bishop T.D. Jakes, ILS visionary and founder.
Inspired by his New York Times best-selling book, SOAR! Build Your Vision from the Ground Up, 2021 ILS will equip you to acquire and hone the agility, resilience, humility, and confidence that you need as an effective leader.
From April 29 through May 1, Bishop T.D. Jakes will lead this highly anticipated leadership experience alongside a lineup of illustrious industry thought leaders at the Charlotte Convention Center in Charlotte, North Carolina.
Will you be there?
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