Culture, Commerce & Creative Ownership

9:15-10:15am | Opening Plenary

"Dominique Waters is the Founder and Executive Director of Akron Sneaker Academy (ASA), a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that uses sneaker culture as a gateway to inspire youth, provide early exposure to polymer education, and create pathways to brighter futures. He built his professional foundation with more than a decade of experience in the luxury retail industry, working with globally recognized brands such as Nike, Louis Vuitton, Tiffany & Co., Burberry, Target, and Lacoste. These experiences shaped his understanding of culture, brand power, and storytelling — skills he now channels into building ASA as a movement that speaks directly to young people. Through ASA, Dominique has pioneered culturally relevant programming that meets youth where they are, using sneakers as both a tool of engagement and a metaphor for growth.

Art Activates Change!

10:30-11:30am

Nick Lee (b. 1996) is a painter and 2021 Kent State University graduate. Lee’s work is inspired by the diversity of the human experience. As a Japanese-American, Lee’s visual art strives to better represent minorities like himself in American portraiture and Western art. Another motivation for Lee is self discovery. Lee uses symbolic Japanese objects in his paintings to connect with a culture that was never taught to him growing up. Lee is the 2023 recipient of the Distinguished Citizen for Art Education for the Northeast Ohio region by the OAEA. Lee is also the recipient of the 2024 Arts Alive Emerging Artist award by Summit Artspace.

“Am I a Business?”

10:30-11:30am

Joi L. Wilson, widely known as “The Tax Queen,” is a seasoned Tax Strategist and Entrepreneur with over 20 years of experience in the tax and financial services industry. As the Founder and CEO of JLW Tax & Financial Services, she has helped thousands of individuals and business owners legally minimize their tax liability and build stronger financial futures.

Based in Akron, Ohio, Joi has built a trusted reputation for delivering results-driven tax strategies, specializing in working with entrepreneurs, high-income earners, and growing businesses. Her expertise extends beyond tax preparation into tax planning, business consulting, and financial education.

Her mission is simple:
To help individuals and business owners keep more of their money and build lasting wealth.

“What Does Your Portfolio Say About You?'“

10:30-11:30am

Davon Brantley, a Cleveland, OH native, graduated with a BFA in Drawing from the Cleveland Institute of Art in 2018. Since then, he has deeply immersed himself in the art community, engaging in teaching, curating, exploring diverse mediums, exhibiting his work, and mentoring emerging artists. Davon is consistently working to shape perceptions of art as a viable and sustainable career path.

In recognition of his contributions and talent, Carta awarded him the 2024 Eterovich Award. This prestigious award, funded by a donation from the family of Anthony Eterovich—an artist and educator who led CIA's children's classes for over 50 years—is presented to exceptional emerging artists with works in carta’s collection.

Through his multifaceted involvement in the art community and his poignant explorations, Davon Brantley inspires and empowers both audiences and aspiring artists alike."

Rest is Resistance

11:45-12:45pm

Brennan Cooper is a Cincinnati-born, Akron-based artist working primarily in oil paint. Her work explores emotion, transformation, and the beauty of nature and the human experience through a blend of surrealism, realism, and portraiture. With a background in psychology and fine arts from Kent State University, she uses art as an expression of her lived perspective.

Bringing Your Character to Life

11:45-12:45pm

Tyron Hoisten is the founder of Video 306, an Akron-based video production and marketing company. He is a creative, business-minded marketing leader who blends writing, video production, and strategy to help mission-driven organizations communicate clearly, build trust, and drive action. He is a graduate of the University of Akron and an alumnus of Leadership Akron Class 39. Learn more about Tyron’s work at video306.com.

Design Challenge “Meet the Artists!”

11:45-12:45pm | Panel Discussion

Dadisi Curtis On March 11th, 1994, Dadisi Curtis Jr, was born to an interracial couple in Canton Ohio. Living within the city and experiencing numerous influential events has inspired him to share this unique perspective. Graduating from McKinley Senior high school in 2012 then with a bachelor’s in fine art from Kent State University. He has received both M.A. and M.F.A in Printmaking from the University of Iowa in 2022.

He strives to challenging systems of oppression including: the prison industrial complex, classism, Eurocentric beauty standards and other systemic racial structures. One of the defining characteristics of the work is the use of black light or ultraviolet light as a framework for the alternative perspectives. Ultraviolet light is requiring a shift in how one views the world.

Senior International Trade Specialist with the U.S. Commercial Service

1:45-2:30pm

Michel E. Nouafo is an accomplished global sales, marketing, and strategy leader with deep international experience and a strong record of driving business growth. Born and educated in Cameroon before continuing his studies in France and the United States, Michel brings a rich multicultural perspective to his work. He holds an MBA in International Business from Bowling Green State University.

Michel began his career at Libbey Glass in Toledo, OH, where he progressed through several executive roles, including Vice President of International Sales and Marketing and Vice President of International Markets. At Libbey, he helped expand the company’s global presence and strengthen its competitiveness across multiple regions.

He later joined Vitamix as Vice President of International Household Sales, where he developed and executed a comprehensive strategy that significantly grew the company’s international business and solidified its footprint in key global markets.

In 2020, Michel became Steelcase’s Health Sales Director for the Eastern United States, leading strategies to expand market reach and customer engagement within the healthcare sector.

Since August 2023, Michel has served as a Senior International Trade Specialist with the U.S. Commercial Service, supporting companies across Northeast Ohio as they pursue global expansion and competitive positioning. Michel is a frequent speaker for industry organizations, including AICPA, and hasappeared on platforms such as the International Trade Resource Podcast. He has also mentored and advised numerous small and mid-sized companies on export strategy and market development. He and his family reside in Solon, Ohio.