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MARTHA'S VINEYARD

AUG 5-7, 2024

    Unleashing the Power of YOUR Power Retreat

    COI Ladder Institute is thrilled to present its 11th annual Unleashing Retreat for female and BIPOC founders, investors, and corporate partners who are prepared to drive their businesses forward by fostering impactful connections within a supportive community.This year’s Unleashing the Power of YOUR Power Retreat centers on cultivating meaningful relationships to drive personal and business success. This retreat will create a space that enables participants to develop deep, lasting connections.

    Female and BIPOC founders comprise a large percentage of US and global businesses yet are commonly underrepresented in securing venture funding. This gathering will offer actionable strategies from the most influential entrepreneurs, investors, accelerators, and strategic partners to advance and transform businesses through the power of connections.Central to all activities hosted at the retreat will be Founder Therapy. The founders’ physical, mental, and spiritual health will be thoughtfully woven into the agenda. Founders will leave the retreat equipped with strategies and tools to solve BIG problems that are sustained by profound connections.

    Past Years' Notable Speakers

    Registration is Open

    AdmissionFee*
    Student Admission - Includes Founder Therapy, Workshops, Networking, Breakfast -2, Lunch -2, Appetizers, Reception, and Swag Bag.$99
    General Admission - Includes Founder Therapy, Workshops, Networking, Breakfast -2, Lunch -2, Appetizers, Reception, and Swag Bag.$249
    VIP Admission - Includes General Pass Features Plus Priority Access, VIP Dinner, Connectivity Lounge, Content Replay and Premium Swag Items.$399

    Retreat Venue

    Dr. Daniel Fisher House & Gardens
    99 Main Street
    Edgartown, MA 02539

    Ferry Reservations

    2024 Martha's Vineyard Summer Ferry Reservations

    Note: Ferry reservations open February 14th, 2024 at 8 AM.

    Housing & Lodging

    Links for available lodging on Martha's Vineyard

    Day 1: Mon | Aug 5

    Doing it forYOURSELF

    Venue: Old Whaling Church, Baylies Room

    TimeslotsSessions 
    12:00 PM - 4:00 PMRegistration 
    12:00 PM - 5:00 PMBuying Black Marketplace ViewWitness your ancestors' wildest dreams as you shop at the Buying Black Marketplace. This is an opportunity for the community to support venture backed startups across all industries. Meet the Founders at 12 PM and 3 PM.
    12:00 PM - 5:00 PMConnectivity Lounge (VIP Only)VIP registrants have access to the lounge to host drop-in meetings, take phone calls, meet with an expert, and enjoy a relaxed environment with your guest (one guest only to accommodate all VIPs).
    1:00 PM - 3:00 PMFounder TherapyAll founders need therapy because they are people too.
    4:00 PM - 5:00 PMThe Beauty of Success: Start, Grow, and Accelerate Your Brand + Book SigningOnce you are rooted in YOU, your value and the ability to stand in your power will enable you to make strategic decisions around moving your business forward.

    Day 2: Tue | Aug 6

    Doing it for yourFUTURE

    Venue: Dr. Daniel Fisher House & Old Whaling Church, Baylies Room

    TimeslotsSessions 
    9:00 AM - 3:00 PMRegisration 
    9:00 AM - 10:00 AMStand In YOUR Power Breakfast 
    9:00 AM - 5:00 PMBuying Black Marketplace ViewWitness your ancestors' wildest dreams as you shop at the Buying Black Marketplace. This is an opportunity for the community to support venture backed startups across all industries and stages. Meet the Founders at 11 AM.
    9:00 AM - 5:00 PMConnectivity Lounge (VIP Only)VIP registrants have access to the lounge to host drop-in meetings, take phone calls, meet with an expert, and enjoy a relaxed environment with your guest (one guest only to accommodate all VIPs).
    10:00 AM - 11:00 AMCreating Your Authentic Path to PowerTadia James, She has invested in and advised leading entrepreneurs building big visions to advance society.
    11:00 AM - 12:00 PMPower NetworkingLead with your POWER during the networking break and meet a new investor, accelerator, founder, executive coach or corporate and find at least five things you have in common. How can you work together? Make the ask!
    12:00 PM - 2:00 PMTable of 10 LuncheonLeverage your POWER to form new sustainable relationships over lunch. Find a quaint spot in Edgartown to enjoy lunch with new colleagues.
    2:00 PM - 3:00 PMBuilding Generational Wealth on Both SidesUntapped Investing, an angel group of high net worth individuals who are committed to upending the game for Black and Brown founders.
    4:30 PM - 6:00 PMPower Networking ReceptionEnjoy cocktails with other amazing people
    6:30 PM - 8:30 PMVIP DinnerVIP dinner for founders, investors, corporates and sponsors to cultivate relationships over dinner.

    Day 3: Wed | Aug 7

    Doing it for yourCONNECTIONS

    Venue: Old Whaling Church, Baylies Room

    TimeslotsSessions 
    9:00 AM - 10:00 AMPower Breakfast 
    9:00 AM - 12:00 PMBuying Black Marketplace ViewWitness your ancestors' wildest dreams as you shop at the Buying Black Marketplace. This is an opportunity for the community to support venture backed startups across all industries and stages.
    9:00 AM - 1:30 PMConnectivity Lounge (VIP Only)VIP registrants have access to the lounge to host drop-in meetings, take phone calls, meet with an expert, and enjoy a relaxed environment with your guest (one guest only to accommodate all VIPs).
    10:00 AM - 11:00 AMThe Power of Your BrandSienna Farris, VP of Multicultural Marketing at Simon and Schuster.
    11:00 AM - 12:00 PMThe Art and Power of Non-ConformityThe most important innovator in our modern economy is the outlier who is not seduced by the rules. Sam Altman, Elon Musk, and Sarah Blakely were all misfits at Google, Scotia Bank, and Disney before they transformed our lives. But, non-conformity is hard. There is a right and a wrong way to honor your inner voice that says “I’m not one of them.” In this talk Greg Larkin will share how to transform your weird into a superpower.
    12:00 AM - 1:30 PMExpert Speed Networking15 minute sessions in a speed dating format with Investors, Accelerators, PEOs, Legal, Executive Coaches, Corporates, etc. Each founder will have the opportunity to go through three - 15 minute rounds. This is the time to leverage YOUR Power to advance your company and your personal network.
    1:30 PMUntil We Meet Again LunchWalk in YOUR Power! Enjoy lunch as you exchange contacts and schedule follow-up meetings. Define a Power Project for yourself that will advance you and/or your business over the next quarter. Share your progress with the COI Ladder Institute team.

    COI Ladder Institute

    About COI Ladder Institute

    COI Ladder Institute, a program of STRIVE Inc., started with a simple premise: Make available to every woman and young professional the resources required to elevate their business to the next level. This is done by educating and empowering women so they could positively impact the space they occupy.This idea is the premise STRIVE Inc. was founded on in 1995 and still drives us today. The track record speaks to our commitment to women, youth, families, and the community at large.Net proceeds from each event benefits STRIVE’s STEM Leadership development program for students in 3rd thru 12th grades. You can make a tax deductible donation today to help a child realize her/his full potential.

    STRIVE Inc.

    The motivation for starting STRIVE in 1995 was to give back to young people and help build assets in the communities STRIVE serves. In 2013, the idea of expanding STRIVE to reach women and young professionals was born.Since our inception, we have hosted workshops and networking events throughout the country with our annual signature event hosted on Martha’s Vineyard every August.The founder believes that to whom much is given, much is required. She gives back and pays it forward because someone did the same for her.

    SaLisa L. Berrien
    Founder, COI Ladder Institute

    SaLisa L. Berrien, Founder and Board Chair, has over 25 years of experience in non-profit leadership and clean energy space. From volunteering at charities, mentoring, working at utilities and clean tech companies, to establishing an endowment and scholarships, she has been committed to making the space she occupies better than she found it. SaLisa holds a degree in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Pittsburgh and an Executive MBA from Saint Joseph’s University.One of SaLisa’s core values is philanthropy. She believes that to whom much is given, much is required. Her mission in life is to positively impact the space she occupies by building assets. STRIVE Inc. does that with its afterschool STEM leadership development program and female founders programming for tech startups.

    About Our Partners

    Thank You for your support.

    Sponsorship Interest?

    Check out the opportunities to elevate female and BIPOC founders to the next level. The Sponsorship Packages help ensure the quality programming our founders have come to enjoy continues. Make an impact today by pledging your level of support. Sponsorship is tax deductible.

    Downloadable Sponsor Packet

    Please contact us if you are interested in becoming a sponsor for the event!

    Toolbox

    Unleashing22 Founder Retreat (on-site) Includes 3 day wellness and resilience activities, networking, swag bag, 1:1 coaching

    Juneteenth Special Offer: Until June 19, 20242 for 1 Deal - Bring a friend with you for free. Get two tickets for the price of one.
    $249 $124.50

    Registration is Opening Soon.

    Registration is OPEN

    Due to COVID cases increasing, all sessions will be virtualexceptfor wellness activities which will be on-site (Martha's Vineyard)

    L I M I T E D - P R O M O
    ALL TICKETS ARE BUY ONE GET ONE FREE FOR EARLY BIRD PRICING
    Includes both in-person & virtual attendance for Students, General Admission, and VIP
    Register today with code BOGO23 for Buy One Get One Free .

    B O G O - P R O M O
    ALL TICKETS ARE BUY ONE GET ONE FREE FOR EARLY BIRD PRICING
    Includes both in-person & virtual attendance for Students, General Admission, and VIP

    Speakers & Panelists

    Speakers

    The COI Ladder Institute's Buying Black Marketplace

    We are dedicated to supporting and amplifying BIPOC businesses and foundersThis marketplace serves as a vibrant hub where you can explore and purchase a wide array of products and services offered by BIPOC tech-enabled businesses in the B2B, C2C, and small-medium categories. We aim to foster an empowering environment that celebrates the incredible talent and diversity within the BIPOC founder community.Join us in making a direct impact. Every purchase you make is a step towards supporting economic growth and closing the racial wealth gap. Explore the marketplace and discover everything from cutting-edge products and services to handcrafted goods, all created and offered by BIPOC founders. Let’s uplift and propel the success of these businesses together!

    At Oppos cybersecurity compliance services, we create a simple, streamlined solution for clients who are facing cybersecurity and regulatory compliance issues. We work with our clients to develop a roadmap, identifying key requirements for cybersecurity audits, and ensure that you have all the items covered, which is becoming increasingly difficult nowadays with so many framework standards and compliance regulations.

    Nivelo’s mission is to secure safe and instantaneous money movement for everyone. Our ambition is large - disrupting a $20 trillion infrastructure built 50 years ago. Our impact is even bigger - securing the most common and most important payment for most people in the world - their paycheck. We're reinventing the way businesses and individuals move money and we're betting big on the future of immediate, real time digital payments.

    ChargerHelp leads in EV charging station O&M, combining advanced tech with skilled technicians adept in hardware and software intricacies.

    Postal Petals® is motivated to bridge the gap in accessible mental health resources and help demystify and destigmatize mental health care. By bringing this therapeutic activity of flower designing to a wider audience, we aim to foster emotional well-being in communities that need it most. From a deep need for flowers and a lack of access, what we now know as Postal Petals® was born.

    Boost helps you understand your cash flow, eliminate debt, and make the smartest choices about your work and money.

    Neon Money Club was created “For the People.” The Cream Card lets you invest Neon Money Club’s reward points into the US stock market through Neon Money Club’s app, and earn bonus points with friends. Members can earn up to 800 individual bonus points per month when they form crews by connecting with other Cream Card holders in the Neon Money Club app. The Cream Card empowers members to invest. It earns 1.5 points on all spending. Cardmembers will receive double the redemption value of their Neon Money Club points when they use points for stock on the Neon Money Club app or website. In addition, the Cream Card is packed with benefits from the American Express Network, including Amex Offers (for shopping, travel, dining, services, entertainment, etc.), presale ticket access,

    The diversity solution for today's generation of organizations. As a founder or leader, you understand the importance of DEI and want a solution that meets you where you are. We're on a mission to make DEI Simple and easy for startups and beyond.

    Decadally is a strategic consultancy that enables brands to enact meaningful, purpose driven actions. Thinking Decadally means focusing on short-term wins AND opportunities that will deliver impact over the decade ahead. We help brands anticipate future trends, address systemic issues and set sustainable, culturally relevant objectives.

    Bags is the only financial subscription you need to scale your business. Our goal is to see all businesses secure the bag, create good jobs, generate wealth and strengthen our communities.

    We teach at-promise* youth how to solve problems through entrepreneurship and innovation.

    Bump is a digital financial services platform that helps independent artists like Jones’ dad earn and track their daily bread. Through Bump, creators can link their accounts from all income sources — from royalties and publishing rights to the sales of physical merchandise and NFTs — and manage their financial performance from their personalized dashboard. With all this information on hand, creators can have accurate knowledge of their assets and how to build and optimize their creative brands.

    COI Energy was built upon the belief that everyone has the inalienable right to live a dignified life and that includes having equitable access to clean energy. To make the world a better place for future generations to live, play, work, and thrive, we must educate, empower, impact and uplift everyone around us to create a climate friendly economy. We believe the path to a cleaner, healthier, and more equitable future is through reducing carbon emissions in the built environment while making the electric grid cleaner, more efficient, safer and reliable.

    Vontélle Eyewear is a luxury eyewear company providing bespoke textiles & prints from the African Diaspora on optical frames and sunglasses. We offer sizes that compliment diverse faces, fulfill prescriptions and custom lens color/tints including blue light blocker lenses.

    Kreyol Essence (KE) brings natural hair, skin, and body products from Haiti to the world. Our eco-friendly formulations are made from pure and natural ingredients with a special focus on dry hair and skin. As a social business, we are maniacal about creating sustainable jobs, protecting and conserving the island’s environment and empowering women.

    We are a vitamin-infused, vegan, organic, veggie- and fruit-packed haircare line for kids of mixed heritage. Empowering boys and girls with mixed-texture hair to love their unique strands, we add some pizzazz to your child's hair routine.

    PuffCuff offers a secure hold without the tension that leads to headaches, making it a comfortable choice for all-day wear. Its innovative design ensures that your hair's natural volume and beauty are enhanced, not compressed, allowing for a variety of hairstyles without the discomfort associated with tighter hair accessories.

    unleashing-mv@coiempowerment.com