Higher Purpose Co. Hosts 7th Annual Money Purpose Success Women’s Entrepreneurship Summit

Higher Purpose Co. celebrated seven years of its annual Money Purpose Success Women’s Entrepreneurship Summit on Saturday, September 17 in Indianola. Over 100 Black women from across the state attended the 2022 MPS Women’s Summit. It was hosted by award-winning actress and filmmaker, Jasmine Burke, who also led a fireside chat with talented singer and songwriter, KIRBY who has written for Beyonce, Ariana Grande, and Kanye West. Kirby also delivered an exceptional performance for the ladies.

Summit topics ranged from financial literacy to learning how to break into the entertainment industry. Award-winning personal finance expert and founder of Finance Demystified, Dominique Broadway was this year’s keynote speaker. Her keynote focused on secrets to making your finances work for you. 

The other speakers included Essence Gant, Clarenda “Farmer Cee” Stanley, Taylur Avery, Nikki Porcher, Shunquetta Cunningham, Tamara Bates, and Trinity Mitchell. Gant said the MPS Summit was an incredible experience. Gant added, “Higher Purpose Co.’s staff were beyond welcoming, and the attendees were the sweetest. It was such a happy and uplifting weekend.”

Among the welcoming staff and good vibes, five lucky women walked away with a $500 Higher Purpose Business Growth Grant. Judita “DeeDee” Robinson, owner of Lucille’s, was amongst the five women who won the grant. Robinson is an HPC business member and served as the caterer for the summit. Robinson said, “I have no words to express my gratitude for Higher Purpose Co. I have had so many calls for catering since being a part of the Money Purpose Success Women’s Entrepreneurship Summit, and I am forever grateful.” The business growth grants were also awarded to Jessica Reed, owner of Reed Counseling & Consulting, LLC, Ebony Beals, owner of Tousled & Teased, Lorene Russel, and Tasha Bibb. 

Money Purpose Success was created to bring Black women together with one common yet vital goal, which is to provide women with the tools and resources they need to launch or elevate their businesses and, essentially, their communities to the next level. 

Shequite Johnson, Higher Purpose Co. COO said, “We will continue celebrating Black women and providing a positive space for them to learn and grow. All guests received professional headshots, networked, and engaged with vendors. It was a beautiful experience to see so many Black like-minded women in the same space, for the exact cause, for one purpose to grow.”

This year HPC decided to host the summit in Indianola because of its rich history in the Mississippi Delta. Johnson said she owes Indianola and surrounding areas a significant thank you. “From the looks of it, it is evident that Indianola has a lot of untouched hidden gems waiting to be unleashed. I am grateful to the Higher Purpose Co., staff for putting their hearts into making sure Black entrepreneurs, artists, and farmers are properly represented daily and in spaces such as the Money Purpose Success Women Entrepreneurship Summit. “

Johnson expressed gratitude to her CEO Tim Lampkin for trusting her with such a vital and noteworthy task. “I enjoyed working with our Director of Branding, Storytelling, and Advocacy, Ivory Cancer. She did a phenomenal job ensuring the MPS Summit stood out from the beginning to the end. Her energy was on point, and the summit would not have been as beautiful as it was if it had not been for her creativity and leadership.”

Cancer said, “The efforts put in by every team member and participant were vital in making this event a success. I don’t take lightly the privilege of being able to have a career that positively impacts demographics close to my heart. So, I approach the work with all I have to give. The Money Purpose Success Entrepreneurship Summit has been bringing women-identified people together for seven years, and we look forward to many years.”

Higher Purpose Co.’s mission is to build community wealth with Black residents in Mississippi by supporting the ownership of financial, cultural, and political power. HPC created the MPS Summit to accelerate the success of Black women entrepreneurs in Mississippi and across the Mid-South. 

Learn more about the summit at Money Purpose Success website, and follow @moneypurposesuccess on Instagram for more summit updates.