Black Creative Economy Summit Addresses Innovation and Equity in Entertainment

Newark Symphony Hall will host the transformative Black Creative Economy Summit from June 18-20, 2025, as part of the Prudential North to Shore Festival. Under the theme “STRONGER TOGETHER,” this three-day event aligns with Juneteenth celebrations to honor the legacy, contributions, and economic empowerment of Black Americans in creative fields while providing practical pathways for future development in the entertainment industry.

Expected to welcome more than 4,000 participants, the summit will feature strategic audience development initiatives, hands-on training for high school students, a tech-focused town hall addressing industry barriers, and a celebrity concert combining entertainment with financial literacy education. This multifaceted approach aims to foster economic growth, creative collaboration, and career development for Black artists and entrepreneurs.

Educational Pipeline Creates Next Generation of Talent

The summit will kick off on June 18 with an “Invest in the Next” day focused on youth development, engaging 300 high school juniors in hands-on training across various aspects of the entertainment industry. Participants will receive practical instruction in film production, sound engineering, lighting design, and the business fundamentals of entertainment, according to New Jersey Stage.

This educational component addresses a crucial need for mentorship and practical training in creative fields, where access to industry knowledge and technical skills can determine career trajectories. By focusing specifically on high school students approaching critical decision points about their futures, the program aims to expand the pipeline of diverse talent entering creative industries.

The emphasis on both technical production skills and business fundamentals reflects a holistic approach to career preparation, recognizing that success in creative fields requires both artistic ability and entrepreneurial knowledge. This balanced perspective aligns with the summit’s broader goals of economic empowerment and sustainable career development.

Technology Focus Addresses Digital Divide

On June 19, the summit will partner with Newark Tech Week to present “Power of Black Voices & Think Tank Black,” an immersive Tech Town Hall focused on addressing barriers faced by Black innovators in the technology sector. This component recognizes the growing intersection of technology with all aspects of the creative economy and the need for greater equity in this rapidly evolving landscape.

The town hall format will bring together industry experts, entrepreneurs, and community members to identify challenges and develop actionable solutions for increasing Black representation and success in technology fields. This approach moves beyond simply highlighting problems to actively working toward implementable strategies for change.

“An immersive Tech Town Hall addressing the barriers faced by Black innovators, driving actionable solutions for equity in the industry,” notes the event description, emphasizing this solution-oriented approach. The partnership with Newark Tech Week creates additional synergies while connecting the summit to ongoing technology initiatives in the city.

Entertainment and Financial Literacy Converge

The summit will culminate on June 20 with a “Classic Black Celebration & Concert” presented by Earn Your Leisure, featuring a celebrity lineup performing alongside educational content focused on financial literacy. This innovative format combines entertainment with practical knowledge about wealth building and financial management—critical tools for sustainable success in creative industries.

Earn Your Leisure, known for its popular financial literacy content aimed at diverse audiences, brings credibility and expertise to this component of the programming. The collaboration represents an innovative approach to addressing economic empowerment within the context of cultural celebration, according to Patch.

While specific performers have not yet been announced, the combination of celebrity entertainment with substantive educational content creates a unique offering within the broader festival programming. This approach recognizes that true economic empowerment requires both cultural celebration and practical knowledge transfer.

Ongoing Programming Extends Impact

Beyond the main summit dates, the initiative includes a “Cocktails & Creatives” series held on February 21, April 3, and May 15, featuring thought-provoking discussions with Black creative leaders highlighting diverse pathways to success. These pre-summit events build momentum while providing additional opportunities for networking and knowledge sharing.

This extended programming timeline demonstrates a commitment to sustained engagement rather than isolated events, creating ongoing opportunities for community building and professional development. The approach aligns with the summit’s focus on long-term economic empowerment and career sustainability.

Newark Symphony Hall’s role as the host venue connects the summit to one of New Jersey’s historic cultural institutions, currently undergoing its own revitalization. As noted by The Montclair Girl in their coverage of North to Shore Festival venues, this iconic space provides an inspiring backdrop for discussions about cultural heritage and future innovation.

Alignment with Juneteenth Celebrates Freedom Through Economic Power

The summit’s timing during Juneteenth celebrations creates meaningful connections between historical struggles for freedom and contemporary efforts toward economic empowerment and equity. This alignment recognizes that true liberation requires both political rights and economic opportunity, particularly in creative fields where representation shapes broader cultural narratives.

“This year’s program aligns with the culturally recognized holiday, Juneteenth, honoring the legacy, contributions, and economic empowerment of Black Americans and their creative spirits,” explains the event description, highlighting this intentional connection. The framing positions creative expression and economic development as continuing manifestations of freedom struggles.

The “STRONGER TOGETHER” theme emphasizes collective action and community building as essential strategies for advancing equity and opportunity. This collaborative approach recognizes that systemic challenges require coordinated responses that leverage diverse talents and perspectives toward shared goals.

For more information and tickets, interested participants are directed to the Newark Symphony Hall website (https://newarksymphonyhall.org/). The summit represents one of the most substantive components of the North to Shore Festival’s Newark programming, connecting entertainment with education and economic development in service of community empowerment.