Yesterday was a powerful day of community building and honest dialogue at Goodie Nation, as we hosted two impactful gatherings: the Queens of Innovation Crown Table and The Brotherhood Table, bringing together 65 community members and approximately $9.5 million in social capital “in the room.” These events reinforced the importance of creating identity-specific spaces where innovators and leaders can openly discuss their journeys, challenges, and triumphs.

Queens of Innovation Crown Table: Sisterhood vs. Strategy

The Queens of Innovation Crown Table brought together dope women innovators from our Goodie Nation community across a myriad industries to delve into the complexities of community and competition. Titled “Sisterhood vs. Strategy: The Tension Between Community and Competition,” this candid discussion highlighted the nuanced dynamics women experience when navigating collaboration and ambition in professional spaces.

Community members shared candid, industry-specific experiences about the subtle and overt tensions that arise when competition meets sisterhood. Experiences ranged from frustrations over idea theft and collaboration breakdowns, particularly in fields like cybersecurity, mental wellness, marketing technology, and creative innovation, to discussions around the intersection of race, generational dynamics, and gender. The concept of “pet to threat,” describing the shift from being welcomed to becoming perceived as competition, resonated deeply with attendees.

An illuminating segment of the conversation highlighted mentorship, advocacy, and sponsorship. The innovators emphasized the transformative power of having effective advocates, regardless of background, alongside cautionary tales about mentorship dynamics. The session underscored the necessity of safe spaces to dismantle competitive tensions and foster genuine support.

The event concluded with a commitment to continued dialogue, the exchange of contacts for future collaborations, and an emphasis on creating structured, inclusive conversations moving forward.

The Brotherhood Table: Building Bonds and Social Capital

Three hours later, we launched The Brotherhood Table as an empowering gathering curated specifically for Black men in the Goodie Nation community. Rooted deeply in brotherhood, legacy, and excellence, this roundtable emphasized community, collaboration, and mental wellness.

Leaders discussed critical topics such as leveraging artificial intelligence for transformative business strategies, navigating the challenges posed by tariffs, and addressing mental wellness within high-achieving Black communities. Emphasizing vulnerability, attendees shared the pressing need for authentic, supportive spaces to combat isolation and foster mutual growth.

Significant action steps emerged from the session, including the creation of structured resources like a dedicated Slack channel and planned future “ideathons” to collaboratively tackle pressing business challenges. The men expressed a unified vision to build $50 million in social capital among the Black men of the Goodie Nation community by 2030, highlighting the importance of intentional community engagement.

Looking forward, future sessions are set to cover critical themes like health, fatherhood, and leveraging collective resources for sustained growth.

Moving Forward

Both events reinforced Goodie Nation’s mission of bridging gaps through intentional relationship-building. The conversations were honest, revealing, and empowering, demonstrating the profound impact of community-driven dialogue. We look forward to continuing these essential conversations and fostering deeper connections within our community.

This is just the beginning. We are ramping up efforts to create safe, impactful spaces that empower authentic connection for good people in the innovation economy.