The 2021 REVOLT Summit descended upon “the A” right on the heels of the Atlanta Braves’ World Series win and it couldn’t have come at a better time. With the city still riding high, bright, budding entertainers and entrepreneurs flocked to the Dirty South home of hustlers. The sold-out three-day event presented by AT&T wasn’t limited to those eager to leave their mark in the entertainment industry — from the “Be Heard” auditions to the “Dream in Black Pitch Competition” with “Office Hours” sprinkled throughout the duration — the Summit offered something for everyone.
Entertainment was in abundance with performances from the likes of Lil Yachty, Jeezy, City Girls, and Meek Mill, as well as live recordings of popular podcasts “Earn Your Leisure” and “Big Facts.” While the “85 South Show” and Druski tickled the funny bones of the attendees, there was also food for thought served up over the course of the Summit. Allen Iverson, Taylor Rooks, NLE Choppa, Mozzy, and Royce Da 5’9” all tackled mental health – a subject that is becoming less taboo in the Black community.
Nestled in the creative Windsor complex, the Summit wouldn’t be a REVOLT event without tapping into lessons about how to get this money. The Excellence Program Executive Chat kicked things off on Thursday afternoon and Friday’s events took things to another level. Partnering with Ally Financial, Target, State Farm, Crest, and Frito Lay, the panels covered everything from the power of the Black dollar to cryptocurrency and grills.
There was a lot to take in, so we interviewed five of this year’s attendees to see what their favorites moments of the Summit were. Check out what they had to say below!
Christina Kanu, Christina Kanu Consulting
“I’ve had such a wonderful time. This is my first time coming here. I am a business and branding consultant and the owner of Christina Kanu Consulting. One of my favorite things so far has definitely been the Office Hours. I had the opportunity to chat with Deon Graham and got some wonderful advice as well as being able to listen to Rick Ross and all of the panel discussions. The entire REVOLT team has been really wonderful, and I love that there’s so many Black-owned businesses in Atlanta that are being supported.”
CheekoFue, Entrepreneur and Musician, Big Oomp Records
“My favorite part of the Summit is just being able to gain more knowledge in general. Everybody has opinions, and opinions are turning more political these days. But, being able to come and bask in the ambience of success and successful people — it’s not about you stealing their ideas or taking their creative insight, but it’s you being able to say, ‘This person stuck through it.’ These are the tips and the pointers they’re giving me. Let me take some of what they’re saying and apply it to what I’m doing if I’m serious about what I’m doing.”
Kareen Ulysse, Hospital Owner in Haiti
“I attended the REVOLT Summit to get some feedback from the Office Hours, which was one of my favorite parts of the three-day Summit – getting new perspectives from leading industry professionals on how I can tell my story through a different audience. Although I’m not in the music industry, marketing is universal, so it was great to be able to talk to someone in that area.”
DJ Larry Luv, Entertainer
“My favorite part of the Summit probably was the Black mental health panel. Seeing NLE Choppa and Mozzy talk. Us being Black men, we grew up getting our asses whipped with extension cords and hangers. So, to see us embrace Black mental health and just talk about it, it’s good that we just embraced that. It’s one of those conversations we don’t have a lot. We’re the most intimidating species on the planet. It’s my first summit, but I’ll be back. I think it’s informational.”
Diana Garcia, Founder/Host of Shaking the Culture Podcast
“My favorite part about the Summit definitely has to be — dang there’s so many parts — I can’t pick. I really loved “Big Facts” with Rick Ross. Their energy – Baby Jade! I really admire Baby Jade because she’s just something different. Yachty was also really good when he had his panel. He was amazing and I could definitely connect with him on all types of aspects, so it was really dope listening to him talk. This is my first Summit and I’ll most definitely be back. The goal is to eventually maybe host one of the events later. You’ll see my name eventually, you know, hosting the REVOLT Summit.”