By Tihut Tamrat, Voice & Viewpoint Staff
With breakfast provided by the Mental Bar at 8am, the Black Entrepreneurs Leaders and Learners (BELL) kicked off their 5th Annual Business & Government Contracting Summit on June 27th & June 28th, with 130 attendees over both days. Whether you’re a seasoned business owner or just beginning your entrepreneurial journey, this two-day summit was designed to equip entrepreneurs, leaders, and learners with the insights, tools, and partnerships to grow with confidence and purpose.
Beginning with Banking Presentations from PNC and US Bank that set the tone for a day centered on access – access to capital, access to contracts, and access to opportunity – over 30 speakers and panelists from across industries and government agencies took the stage, offering attendees real-world strategies for securing government and corporate contracts. Procurement officers, supplier diversity leaders, and successful small business owners shared how to navigate complex systems, build competitive bids, and leverage certifications to become prime or subcontractors on major projects.
In a statement released just prior to the event BELL Co-Founder Brian Ware, a construction project manager states his and Jayton Harps, BELL co-founder and software engineer, reason behind it all. “We started this summit out of necessity. We saw how many of our peers were trying to pivot and access contracts but didn’t have the knowledge, networks, or mentorship to get started. The summit was our way of changing that.”
Day one featured more than 25 hands-on workshops, B2B speed networking, and panels covering everything from supplier diversity programs to federal contracting basics. Representatives from agencies such as CalTrans, the City of San Diego, San Diego Unified School District, San Diego Gas & Electric, US Bank, California High Speed Rail Authority, the State of California Department of General Services, and the Port of San Diego among others, offered insider knowledge on how to get certified and win contracts at local, state, and federal levels.
One of the summit’s key highlights is the $2,500 pitch competition, where entrepreneurs present their business ideas and growth strategies before a panel of judges. The summit also included a reception for networking and relationship-building.
Saturday’s sessions continued to build on the momentum, offering additional training and guidance for nonprofit organizations and small businesses.
BELL’s mission remains sharply focused: to demystify the contracting process and open the doors of opportunity for those historically left out of the conversation. In the words of one attendee, “This isn’t just a summit—it’s a blueprint.”
For more information on what was covered and resources, visit https://bit.ly/bellsummit2025 or call (619) 369-0973.
