Building, Bridging, and Belonging at the 2025 BOMESI Summit

With Detroit\’s rich history of Black innovation and cultural legacy as the backdrop, the 2025 BOMESI Summit was the perfect setting. The event brought together Diverse-Owned media producers, publishers, promoters, broadcasters, streamers, advertisers, investors, and the visionary people shaping our future, all with the same powerful goal in mind: uplifting each other to aid in growth and create change.  

The theme this year was “Unlocking the New Growth Market” with the main goal of empowering diverse-owned media companies to take the lead in creating new spaces, opportunities, and platforms of their own.

The weekend was stacked full with fireside chats, keynote speakers, community conversations, and more. The summit perfectly showcased not only what’s possible for diverse-owned media, but also celebrated what’s already thriving and deserving of recognition. 

Carlos King: Real Talk

Carlos King, the CEO of Kingdom Reign Entertainment, brought his charisma and candor to his fireside chat that was hilarious and heartfelt. While going down memory lane with his experience in Black media, King spoke about the responsibility that comes with being a trailblazer. 

“We have a responsibility to open the door and let each other come in,” he said. “You have to lift each other up.”

He also emphasized the importance of representation, community over competition, and spiritual strength. Thus reminding us that sometimes, rejection is simply redirection. 

“Sometimes you have to accept defeat because God wants you to use your feet to walk out of a situation holding you back.” 

His advice was a call to lean into connection and that the real road to success is not a solo one but one where we turn to each other to uplift each other. 

Mirrors and Bridges: The Power of Representation

In the panel “Mirrors and Bridges: Authenticity and Cultural Connection,” media leaders like Ali Jackson, the Assistant Managing Editor of Forbes, Richard Fowler, the CEO of Richard Media Company, and Josh Ott, the Head of Revenue of the Shade Room reflected on Black culture’s undeniable value in driving business success. 

Ali Jackson captured the sentiment simply: “Black culture is gold.” 

Fowler then built on that message by sharing how the visibility of those who came before him helped shape his own path. He emphasized the importance of legacy, both inherited and created.

“I wouldn’t be here if Victor Blackwell wasn’t at CNN, I wouldn’t be here if Dom Lemon didn’t come before me, I wouldn’t be here if other folks didn’t stand in line before me,” he said “My job, when I sit in a broadcast chair is to take other people with me on that journey.” 

Their reflections were a reminder that success can be achieved alone, but progress and growth means the most when they lift others along the way. 

Awards Ceremony

At the Lunch & Awards Ceremony that was sponsored by AdGrid and others, BOMESI honored individuals who’ve turned purpose into action:

• Rashad Robinson was recognized for leveraging media and advocacy to advance racial justice.
• “Grouchy” Greg Watkins, founder of AllHipHop.com/BIPOC Premium Supply Co., was recognized for his foundational efforts in Black media.
• Brianne Boles-Marhel received the Growth Catalyst Award for her leadership at General Motors and within the BOMESI Accelerator, where she advocates the growth of inclusive media. 

Collective Growth, Not Competition

Throughout the summit with the various fireside chats, late-night strategy sessions, and curated networking the message was clear: growth must be collective, not competitive.

Nate Parker offered a touching metaphor that captured the heart of the weekend as the summit came to an end. 

“If we are all on these islands doing the same thing, what does it look like for us to look across to another island and say, ‘Grab my hand. Let’s pull our land until our edges touch.’ Because that’s where our power would be, specifically moving forward.”

The 2025 BOMESI Summit didn’t just unlock a new growth market, it unlocked the blueprint for how to build it. Through collective effort and shared purpose, the gathering served as a powerful reminder that in the face of long-standing challenges, the event proved that true success is not found in competition, but in collaboration.