2024 Black Innovation and Entrepreneurship program: Innovate, elevate, and empower

Derrick Brent is the Deputy Under Secretary of Commerce for Intellectual Property and Deputy Director of the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). As the Deputy Director, he serves as the principal advisor to Kathi Vidal, Under Secretary of Commerce for Intellectual Property and Director of the USPTO, managing a wide portfolio of programs and operations for one of the largest intellectual property (IP) offices in the world, with more than 13,000 employees and an annual budget of more than $4 billion. His responsibilities include working with Director Vidal to lead the USPTO; advance IP policy and procedures for the benefit of the country; expand the USPTO’s outreach efforts to incentivize and support more innovation and entrepreneurship nationwide; and execute the agency’s policies, priorities, and programs.

View full biography.

Return to agenda

Christina Calloway is an attorney for Trademarks Customer Outreach with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). She began her career at the USPTO as a trademark examining attorney, where she served on a team dedicated to reviewing sound and motion trademark applications. Ms. Calloway has collaborated with numerous local and national organizations, educational institutions, and businesses to educate small business owners and creators about intellectual property. A proud “army brat,” Ms. Calloway obtained her Juris Doctor degree from Howard University School of Law. She also received both her master's degree in public administration and Bachelor of Arts in English from Georgia Southern University.

Return to agenda

Eleanore Chadderdon is the librarian in the Patent and Trademark Resource Center (PTRC) at St. Louis Public Library. She started working at the library in 2015, and two years later became the Patent and Trademark Librarian. She enjoys helping people find their way through the information jungle, particularly as it relates to intellectual property. When not at work, Eleanor spends her time reading (of course) and exploring the many delightful cultural and entertainment options in St. Louis.

Return to agenda

Anand Desai received a doctorate in pharmacology and experimental therapeutics from the University of Maryland and Graduate Partnership Program at the National Institutes of Health. Anand’s research focused on the expression of glutamate gated channels during brain development. Anand has been working at the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office since June 2003 as a patent examiner in the biotechnology center. Anand is currently on detail with the Patent Pro Bono Program.

Return to agenda

Reggie Duncan, an education program specialist at the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO), is responsible for national educational projects and is a former 5th grade math and science teacher with 14 years of classroom experience. He is a USPTO National Summer Teacher Institute alumnus and has been awarded the prestigious Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science (PAEMST), the highest K-12 STEM teaching honors bestowed by the United States government. He has significantly contributed to STEM professional development, collaborating with various organizations and serving as a Global STEM Trainer and consultant. During his time in the classroom, Reggie served as an Illinois Teach Plus affinity group facilitator, where he championed the recruitment, support, and retention of educators of color. Reggie is currently the Illinois PAEMST Alumni Representative, and he holds a Master of Education in elementary education from McKendree University.

Return to agenda

Todd Gilyard brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to his current role as the project director of the Missouri Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA) Business Center, an entity of the U.S. Department of Commerce. He became active with the minority business community while working as the assistant project lead and job developer for the St. Louis Housing Authority’s Job Plus Program, community outreach director at the Urban League of Metropolitan St. Louis, and his own business, The Gilyard Group, LLC (2014-2016). 

He is a tireless advocate for building wealth in minority communities by utilizing aggressive timelines in integrating corporate supply chains. He is skilled at negotiating contracts and facilitating long-term business relationships. He also possesses an impressive track record of building strong technical and professional partnerships, as well as establishing a rapport with community organizations. Lastly, Todd has the proven ability to successfully analyze the critical business needs of clients and identify and strengthen their deficiencies. 

Todd attended the University of Missouri, where he studied sociology and played football. He also holds a bachelor's degree in Biblical studies from Midwest College of Theology in St. Louis.

Return to agenda

Dr. Kenneth Lee Harris is a distinguished economist, international scholar, and Black business historian who has dedicated his career to promoting and advocating for Black and indigenous businesses worldwide. Born and raised in DetroitI and a DNA-verified descendent of the Mafa people of Cameroon, Africa, Dr. Harris has an exceptional academic background that includes a Bachelor of Arts in psychology, a Master of Arts in counseling and clinical psychology from Clark Atlanta University, an educational specialist (EDS) degree from Wayne State University, and a dual Ph.D. from Michigan State University in African American and African studies and economics, specializing in business and entrepreneurship from the Eli Broad School of Business. Dr. Harris is an accomplished and influential figure in the business world.

Currently serving as the 16th National President and CEO of The National Business League, the country's first and largest trade association for Black businesses and professionals, Dr. Harris manages over 120,000 members nationwide with the support of more than 125 Fortune 500 corporate partners, as well as local city chapters throughout all 50 states and internationally. Additionally, he has founded and led several organizations, including the Michigan Black Chamber of Commerce and the International Detroit Black Expo, Inc. Dr. Harris' dedication to promoting Black economic freedom and liberation is evident in his work over the years, especially as executive vice president of the Michigan Minority Supplier Development Council.

Dr. Harris is widely respected in the Black business community and advocates for implementing ancient Black African business principles and the restoration of MA'AT, which embodies truth, justice, harmony, balance, order, propriety, and reciprocity.

Return to agenda

Kristy Jackson is a dynamic leader whose combination of entrepreneurial and education experience makes her the perfect fit as the founding executive director of the Center of Innovation and Entrepreneurship (CIE) at Harris-Stowe State University’s Anheuser-Busch School of Business. At the CIE, she leads innovation and the facilitation of partnerships to enhance Black and Brown scholars, as well as community members. 

Kristy is a sought out consultant, coach, author, and professional speaker with more than 20 years of experience creating purpose driven projects, developing district-wide curricula, facilitating training, and empowering a variety of startup, corporate, nonprofit, and higher education clients to dream and launch. Known as the G.P.S. Coach, driving entrepreneurs toward solid goals, purpose, and solutions, Kristy has a relatable style and catalyzes action. 

Kristy is a best selling author, the creator of the Bizperation brand, and founder of SheCan Connect women's professional faith and business network. Kristy is recognized by the U.S. Small Business Administration as a National Emerging Leader, St. Louis Small Business Magazine’s 100 St. Louisans to Know, and a Greater Missouri Leadership Foundation Alumnae and current Alumnae Conference Chair. She has been seen or heard on local and national media platforms including TEDx St. Louis Women, St. Louis Public Radio, Venture Cafe, Fox 2, and Small Business Majority.

Return to agenda

Kevin Wilson is the executive director of the Small Business Empowerment Center (SBEC), a Missouri 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization sponsored by the Greater St. Louis Empowerment Zone to serve as a one-stop-shop for helping urban entrepreneurs start and grow their own business enterprises.

For 20 years, Kevin has also been a U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) technical assistance provider, specializing in issues dealing with the urban core. He provides technical assistance to small businesses owners and helps prospective borrowers develop viable loan packages, apply for Empowerment Zone tax credits, and create business growth strategies. 

Before coming to the SBEC, he worked for the St. Louis Development Corporation underwriting SBA 504 loans and micro loans and prescreening bonds deals. 

Kevin received his bachelor's and master's degrees from the University of Missouri. Kevin is a certified Economic Development Finance Professional with the National Development Council, and a certified SBA 504 Loan Packager from the National Association of Development Companies (NADCO). He is an active member of the U.S. Association of Small Business and Entrepreneurship, the Network For Teaching Entrepreneurship, and the Association of America’s Small Business Development Centers. Currently, Kevin is board chair of the T-REX Innovation Community in downtown St. Louis.

Return to agenda