Mountain Raise

A Night of Local Innovation and Community Spirit

Thursday, January 23rd from 5:30 – 8:30 PM

At Highland Brewing

Join us Thursday, January 23 from 5:30 – 8:30 pm for a celebration of WNC’s resilience and recovery. Hear from entrepreneurs looking to grow their businesses in innovative ways in response to Hurricane Helene, and enjoy beverages and small bites from local purveyors. Come share in the growth and recovery of our local economy.

Our Keynote Speaker

Kwame Anku, CIO of Black Star Fund

Recently named the 2022 Entrepreneur of the Year by the Sacramento Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce, Kwame is also one of only twenty-one recipients of the prestigious Aspen Ascend Fellowship from The Aspen Institute.

Kwame entered the tech industry after being personally recruited by the late legendary rock star Prince to develop his mobile app, overseeing business and development teams in Africa, Asia and the US.

Kwame has appeared as a subject matter expert on numerous national television and radio programs and serves on the Board of Directors at the Sacramento Community Foundation, Actively Black, CEEK Metaverse, Vurple and on the Advisory Board for the Carlsen Center for Innovation & Entrepreneurship at Sacramento State University.