Harlem Wealth-Building Summit to Feature Kevin Johnson and James Lindsay
News related to:Harlem Commonwealth Council · 2 min read
Harlem Commonwealth Council is set to host a two-day wealth-building summit, designed to help entrepreneurs and aspiring business owners move beyond earning income to building businesses, acquiring assets, and creating generational wealth. The event, titled "Paycheck to Ownership," will feature a distinguished group of speakers and is aimed at addressing the urgent question of how more people can transition from earning income to owning businesses and building lasting wealth.
On Friday, October 16, 2026, the summit will begin with a capacity program at Harlem Commonwealth Council, featuring remarks from New York City Comptroller Mark Levine and New York City Council Member Yusef Salaam (District 9). The event will also include participation from other city leaders, focusing on policies, public programs, contracting opportunities, and resources shaping small-business growth and economic mobility across New York City’s five boroughs.
The highlight of the summit will be the "Built to Last" masterclass, which will take place on Saturday, October 17, 2026, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at The Forum at Columbia University, located at 601 West 125th Street, New York, NY 10027. Admission is free with advance registration, which can be done through the link provided: www.eventbrite.com/e/built-to-last-wealth-building-masterclass-tickets-1999029083802.
Featured speakers at the masterclass include Kevin Johnson, an entrepreneur, former NBA All-Star, and two-term Mayor of Sacramento; James Lindsay, the founder and CEO of Rap Snacks; Jamie Dominguez, the National Director of Industry Relations for the Mechanical Licensing Collective; Jerry “Wonda” Duplessis, a Grammy Award-winning record producer, musician, and entrepreneur; Maurice Russell Grey, the CEO and Principal Broker of ESRA Realty; and Sharon Joseph, the President and CEO of Harlem Commonwealth Council.
The masterclass will cover a range of topics, including building and scaling successful businesses, accessing capital and financing opportunities, protecting intellectual property, developing brands with lasting value, connecting entrepreneurs with investors and business resources, and creating ownership opportunities and generational wealth.
Harlem Commonwealth Council, founded in 1967, has been dedicated to advancing economic self-determination through entrepreneurship support, workforce development, access to capital, and financial education. This weekend’s masterclass will bring that legacy to a broader stage, connecting a new generation of entrepreneurs with the knowledge, relationships, and resources needed to build for the future.
The summit is open to the public and media are encouraged to cover the event. Television crews, photographers, radio producers, digital outlets, and print journalists are invited to attend and report on the proceedings.