About this Event
5th Annual National HBCU Black Wall Street Career Fest 2026
HBCU + AI for Next Gen — College, Entrepreneurial & Financial Pathways
Event Description
Join us for the 5th Annual National HBCU Black Wall Street Career Fest, a two-day, in-person national experience centered on HBCU + AI for Next Gen — College, Entrepreneurial & Financial Pathways. This convening is designed specifically for high school and college students, while also welcoming parents, educators, entrepreneurs, and community partners. The 2026 Career Fest takes place Friday and Saturday, 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM each day, beginning with a Day 1 Kickoff at Arkansas Baptist College, followed by a Day 2 full-scale Experience at the Hall of Industry, Arkansas State Fairgrounds in Little Rock, Arkansas. This year’s theme highlights how accessible, responsible AI tools can help students explore college options, build financial confidence, and develop entrepreneurial skills for a rapidly evolving economy.
What to Expect
✔ AI literacy and future-ready skills for high school and college students
✔ City of Little Rock Career Climb
✔ College access, readiness, and pathway exploration
✔ Financial literacy and economic empowerment workshops
✔ Entrepreneurship and small-business pathways
✔ Hands-on, live workshops in beauty, makeup, fashion, and creative entrepreneurship
✔ Resume support, career coaching, and networking
✔ Employers, organizations, and community partners
✔ Vendors, music, food, and cultural experiences
✔ Step Exhibition + Poetry/Spoken Word Showcase
Day 1 Kickoff Highlight: META 24 @ Arkansas Baptist College
As part of the Day 1 kickoff on the campus of Arkansas Baptist College, students will be introduced to META 24, a forward-thinking, campus-based initiative designed to connect technology, workforce skills, entrepreneurship, and real-world opportunity through exposure to AI-supported learning and digital tools, career and entrepreneurship exploration, financial and economic literacy concepts, and pathways that bridge high school, college, and emerging industries. This experience gives students a firsthand look at how innovation, education, and opportunity intersect on an HBCU campus, reinforcing Arkansas Baptist College’s commitment to preparing students for the future.
Event Schedule
Day 1 — Friday
📍 Arkansas Baptist College
🕗 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
HBCU GPT kickoff programming, META 24 student experiences, AI sessions, and college-focused programming.
Day 2 — Saturday
📍 Hall of Industry, Arkansas State Fairgrounds
🕗 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Career fair, panels, AI labs, vendors, and live natural hair, beauty, makeup, and fashion learning experiences and labs.
Admission & Registration
Free admission
Vendor and Sponsorship opportunities available
See the link for details: https://www.paypal.com/ncp/payment/FTZ4B9DPNJR32
Event Venue & Nearby Stays
2600 Howard St, 2600 Howard Street, Little Rock, United States
USD 0.00
