The Sustainability Summit, hosted annually by Black Innovation Alliance (BIA), is an opportunity for Innovator Support Organizations (ISOs) to come together to engage in learning sessions that help them to continue to support Black entrepreneurs across the country. This year it was held in Miami, Florida, from May 7th-10th. This three-day conference, now in its third year, offers ISOs a space to build community, solve problems, and continue to expand their knowledge on best practices that support a thriving Black entrepreneurship ecosystem and entrepreneurs’ growth journey. While the essence of the Summit as a whole is intended to concentrate on innovative approaches to ecosystem building, there were several conversations with our teams internally regarding overall wellness support for our members. At BIA, we truly value the voices of our members, and we know that as ecosystem leaders, it can feel lonely, isolating, draining, and arduous. To this end, during round one of the Luminary Infrastructure Fund (LIF), we sought to create a space at this year’s Sustainability Summit that was restorative and replenishing. During round two, we utilized the LIF to subsidize this wellness space at the Sustainability Summit. Through the LIF, we were able to provide two days of Sunrise Yoga and meditation prior to the Summit’s opening sessions. Yoga instructors were selected from a local Miami community’s rising social media group, Black Yogi’s of South Florida, and the room was curated by Greenish Events, who provided a calming atmosphere for participants to engage. Additionally, the funding supported a half-hour morning meditation led each day by the award-winning Innovator, Tech Ecosystem Founder, and Forbes Leadership Coach LaKisha Greenwade. This daily meditation allowed for attendees to center themselves before training sessions started each day. This space helped to anchor participants as they readied themselves for the full days of learning, comradery, and networking ahead.
