In honor of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s 96th birthday this past January 15th, I took a moment to revisit his final speech, delivered in Memphis in 1968. While scores of excerpts from his famed Mountaintop speech are widely socialized, I was drawn to his prophetic call for the next phase of the movement—economic empowerment. His words are strikingly relevant today, as we witness challenges to diversity, equity, and inclusion, all of which are fundamental to creating an even playing field. 

With that charge in mind, I am honored to step into the role of Chief Executive Officer of the Business Leadership Council (BLC). As a proud student of the equity movement, having sharpened my empowerment pencil as National Press Secretary for Reverend Jesse L. Jackson, Sr.’s Rainbow PUSH Coalition, Director of Communication for the Congressional Black Caucus in Washington, DC., Director for Development & External Affairs for DuSable Museum of African American History, Chief Diversity Officer at Sterling Bay, Senior Advisor to the 2024 Democratic National Convention – Host Committee, and longtime BLC member, I have seen firsthand the power of Black enterprise, and I am committed to advancing the catalytic vision of our founders. Together, we will forge meaningful joint ventures that integrate Black businesses into large-scale economic opportunities, as evidenced with the 2024 Democratic National Convention, Bally’s Casino, the Obama Presidential Center, and the O’Hare expansion, just to name a few; while advocating for sustainable public policy aligned with black business participation.

BLC is uniquely positioned to drive measurable impact, ensuring that inclusion is not just a principle, but a practice that enhances bottom lines and cultivates the next generation of business titans. This is our season—not just to go through 2025, but to GROW through it. Moreover, our organization is uniquely positioned to serve as a model of bridging generational excellence and evolution.

I look forward to collaborating with like-minded partners to elevate Black enterprise, curate economic empowerment exchanges, and build a lasting legacy of business excellence.

Let’s execute our assignment !!

Keiana Barrett

Chief Executive Officer