Name: USC Marshall 2025 FORWARD Summit
Start: 2025-03-01T10:00:00-08:00
End: 2025-03-01T18:00:00-08:00
Location: University of Southern California

A cornerstone for diversity, equity, and inclusion, celebrating and elevating Black and Latinx business leaders since 2019
About this Event

2025 Summit Theme

Amplifying Impact: From Vision to Legacy

This year’s USC FORWARD Summit theme, Amplifying Impact: From Vision to Legacy, underscores the transformative journey of innovation, particularly within the realms of startups, entrepreneurship, and bootstrapping. The theme highlights the importance of resilience and creativity in building scalable ventures that not only address pressing challenges but also pave the way for lasting societal and economic contributions. By fostering a culture of collaboration and empowerment, this year’s summit seeks to inspire attendees to embrace bold ideas, leverage community support, and amplify their impact—turning visions into enduring legacies.

Date/Time

Saturday March 1, 2025

10:00 AM - 4:00 PM FORWARD Summit

4:00 PM - 6:00 PM FORWARD Summit Reception

(Tickets include entry to both events)

About

The FORWARD Summit is a marquee event that celebrates and amplifies the achievements of Black and Latinx business leaders who are reshaping industries and paving the way for future generations. Breaking barriers since 2019, this one-day gathering will connect trailblazers, aspiring professionals, and visionaries across industries, fostering an environment of empowerment, education, and elevation.

The day will include inspiring panels, group discussions, catered lunch, and a networking reception, offering valuable opportunities to engage with leaders and peers, share experiences, and exchange ideas. With an emphasis on diversity, equity, and inclusion, this event provides a platform for candid conversations and innovative solutions to the challenges that underrepresented communities face in business today.

Mission

In 2019, two graduate student organizations at USC Marshall, Black Graduate Business Leaders (BGBL) and Latino Management & Business Association (LMBA) established the FORWARD Summit to increase the visibility of Black and Latinx leaders in the USC and Southern California communities. We are committed to providing professional leadership resources that will close the representation gap in business management. The FORWARD Summit will educate and support current and prospective Marshall students, and deepen alumni engagement. By bringing together students and professionals from top-tier companies,FORWARD Summit will introduce a broad pipeline of diverse talent.