DETROIT, MI — From curated panels to intentional conversations and immersive brand experiences, BOMESI Summit 2025 proved to be a transformative weekend centered on ownership, equity, and the evolution of diverse-owned media. 2025 marks five years since the Black Owned Media Equity and Sustainability Institute (BOMESI) was founded by DéVon Christopher Johnson CoFounder/CEO and CoFounder Rhonesha Byng.
Held June 6–8 at the Cambria Hotel Downtown Detroit, this year’s summit convened Black and diverse media owners, marketers, publishers, and changemakers under the theme: “Unlocking the New Growth Market.” Attendees explored how diverse-owned platforms are not only sparking culture but driving scalable business and social impact. The hotel served as a live hub for curated meetups, late-night strategy sessions, and real-time content creation.
The experience kicked off with a private dinner and networking happy hour at 5Iron Golf for accelerator publishers, BOMESI patrons, and partners. Tactical sessions led by Nativo, Katrina Turnbow-Marion (Founder of Kanopi Social), Lauren Strayhorn (Founder/CEO of Notedd), and Nielsen unveiled real-time insights into the Black audiences study and the tools needed to scale reach and revenue.
Judge Greg Mathis delivered a powerful address on narrative ownership and generational legacy. Deray McKesson joined conversations around impact media. Nate Parker introduced Mansa and the importance of building together, spotlighting director Qasim Basir and the new film To Live and Die to Live, exploring identity, healing, and storytelling.
The summit introduced BOMESI’s 4th Accelerator Cohort and its first-ever Creator-in-Residence, Alex Hughes, Founder + CEO, Hughes Brand Group.
Attendees explored the “GM Row” vehicle activation, a curated DEI-driven brand experience sponsored by General Motors. Pocstock, Pod Digital Media and Wheelhouse led conversations around storytelling, data and diversity.
BOMESI Awards Ceremony:
- Rashad Robinson received the Champion For Equity Award for leveraging media, advocacy, and accountability to advance racial justice and equity.
- Dr. Grouchy Greg Watkins, founder of AllHipHop.com, was honored with the Digital Media Trailblazer Award for his pioneering leadership in digital publishing and commitment to culture-driven storytelling.
- Brianne Boles-Marshall earned the Growth Catalyst Award for her strategic support of inclusive media growth through her role with General Motors and leadership within the BOMESI Accelerator ecosystem.
BOMESI Summit 2025 reinforced that diverse-owned media isn’t niche — it’s essential. From DEI strategy to cultural storytelling, this summit was more than a gathering. It was a blueprint.
📍 For more information: @supportblackownedmedia | www.bomesisummit.org 🔗 View the official BOMESI Summit 2025 gallery
