2025 Pitch Black Conference: Request for Breakout Speakers

Call for Speakers Form

First Name

Last Name

Phone Number

Company or Organization you are representing?

Speaker's Bio

75 words of less

Social Media Handles

Why are you interested in speaking at the Pitch Black Conference?

150 words of less

How does your presentation relate to our theme?

2025 Theme: Empowering Visions. Fueling Success.

What development skills best represents your presentation?

Pitch Black is a dynamic conference strategically crafted to fuel entrepreneurship across diverse communities in the Midwest. Our event showcases prominent speakers, a business exposition, and an exciting business pitch competition. The competition is specifically tailored to offer a platform for emerging BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and People of Color) as well as immigrant and refugee entrepreneurs to showcase their innovative ideas. Please select which development skills best represent your presentation.

Personal Development

Professional Development

Community Development

Have you presented at Pitch Black in the past? If yes, please list the year(s) below.

Indicate N/A if you have not presented at Pitch Black events.

List up to three previous speaking engagements you have participated in.

Format of the proposed session

Presentation

Panel

Interactive Discussion

Other

List the name of the additional presenters

Indicate N/A if this does not apply to your session.

Title of proposed session

The title that will be promoted in marketing materials and the agenda.

What three (3) actionable takeaways will attendees leave with as a result of your session?

Maximum of 300 words

If you have a previously recorded video of you presenting/speaking, please share the link below.

If not applicable, indicate N/A in the text field.

If you responded N/A to the last question, please record a 1-minute speaking video.

If you gave a link in the last question, please indicate N/A in the text field.While recording your video, the committee wants to see a demonstration of your speaking style in your proposed topic.

Do you have an accessibility requests? If so, please list below.

Provide any additional information that would benefit the selection committee.

75 words or less.

Presentation Guidelines *

Applications are available to individuals interested in providing high-quality content based on the parameters outlined below.

Presentation topics should align with our theme: 2025 Theme: Empowering Visions. Fueling Success. The presentation be around the development of attendees' community, personal or professional skills.

Applicants must be prepared to present in an in-person conference format.

The presentation must include three (3) actionable “takeaways” attendees can implement immediately to improve their lives.

You will be asked to sign a release form regarding distributing your content and using your likeness. While the ideas are yours, the Midlands African Chamber will make decisions regarding the distribution of your recorded session.

Presenters may not use their allotted time to sell products and/or services. This is a non-partisan event; speakers may not attempt to sway the audience towards individual political views, political candidates or parties, partisan organizations or specific legislations.

The Midlands African Chamber will need a copy of your presentation beforehand to review your content. A practice session may also be required. If selected, you will receive a follow-up communication designated to address these details.

Speakers will not be compensated for presenting at the Pitch Black Conference. The Pitch Black Conference and associated media promotion offer our speakers an opportunity to connect with an active and engaged audience while at the same time giving back to our community.

I have read and agree to the Pitch Black Conference's Presentation Guidelines

Releases & Authorizations *

I hereby grant the Midlands African Chamber permission to use my likeness in a photograph in any and all of its publications or video presentations, including website entries and promotional materials, without payment or any other consideration.

I understand and agree that these materials will become the property of the Midlands African Chamber and will not be returned.

I hereby irrevocably authorize the Midlands African Chamber to edit, alter, copy, exhibit, publish or distribute this photo or video for purposes of publicizing the Midlands African Chamber programs or for any other lawful purpose. In addition, I waive the right to look over or approve the finished product, including written or electronic copy, where my likeness appears.

Also, I waive any right, royalties or other compensation that arises or is related to the use of the photograph or video(s). I recognize exposure and impact are benefits of presenting at the Pitch Black Conference. I am aware that this is an unpaid speaking engagement.

I have read and agree to the Pitch Black Conference's Releases & Authorizations

Consent *

I hereby hold harmless and release and forever discharge the Midlands African Chamber from all claims, demands, and causes of action which I, my heirs, representative, executors, administrators or any other persons acting on my behalf or on behalf of my estate have or may have be reason of this authorization.

I am 19 years of age and am competent to contract in my own name. I have read this release before signing below and I fully understand the contents, meaning and impact of this release.

The information provided is true to the best of my knowledge. I agree to perform the speaker expectations if I am selected to participate in the 2025 Pitch Black Conference.

I understand that I am responsible for delivering content consistent with my application and authorize that Midlands African Chamber to promote my name and image as part of the event.

I have read and agree to the Pitch Black Conference's Consent