Black Women Building Bridges (BWBB)
An intimate, community-centered convening for women across institutions, industries, identities, generations, and geographies.
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Event Details
Date
Saturday, February 28, 2026
Time
10:30 AM – 3:30 PM
(Programming)
Location
New York University
Palladium Hall
A Space for Meaningful Connection
Black Women Building Bridges (BWBB) is an intimate, community-centered convening designed for women across Institutions, Industries, Identities, Generations, and Geographies (IIIGG).
Hosted in Manhattan, BWBB brings together students, scholars, professionals, and leaders working across media, health, law, technology, and community impact to engage in thoughtful dialogue and collective reflection.
Anchored within a dynamic academic and professional ecosystem, the setting enables meaningful engagement across undergraduate and graduate students, alumni, and professionals operating throughout New York City and beyond.
The gathering emphasizes cross-institutional access, intellectual curiosity, and real-world application. The program is intentionally intergenerational, creating space for knowledge transfer, continuity, and long-term community building.
Why This Moment Matters
BWBB is grounded in the understanding that we are living through a moment in time, not a final or defining period.
The central question guiding this gathering is how women can build intentionally now so that when this moment passes, we are positioned to continue, amplify, and expand our collective work.
Strategic Reflection
Rather than reacting to urgency alone, BWBB creates space to reflect on how power, influence, and leadership can be redefined strategically and sustained over time.
Long-Term Vision
Participants are invited to consider how their roles, relationships, and responsibilities contribute to long-term impact across generations and geographies.
Collective Building
This gathering centers the understanding that sustainable change requires intentional community building, knowledge sharing, and cross-generational collaboration.
Program Overview
1
10:30 – 11:00 AM
Sign-In & Arrivals
2
11:00 – 12:00 PM
Social Hour + Brunch
Light refreshments, music, and rich connection
3
12:00 – 12:15 PM
Opening Remarks & Tone-Setting
Welcome and grounding from hosts
4
12:15 – 3:15 PM
Three Core Sessions
Deep dialogue across media, health, and law
5
3:15 PM - 4:15 PM
Closing Reflections & Community Close
Session Highlights
Workshop · Own Your Story
Led by
Kayla Fory
Former Creator & Public Figure Partnerships, TikTok and Instagram
Featuring
Kelsey Russell
Media Literacy Influencer, Host, Kronikled, and Co-Host, First Stop News
Focus: Why Stotytelling Matters
A workshop at the Black Women Building Bridges brunch. focused on owning your narrative, sharpening your voice, and building a brand that reflects who you are and where you’re going.
Conversation 1 · Law, Technology, & Leadership
Led by
Nshera Tutu
Legal & Investigative Analyst, NYC Office of the Special Commissioner of Investigation
Featuring
  • Dani Makia — Vice President, Privacy Compliance & Risk Management, JPMorgan Chase and Chief Operating Officer & Co-Founder, PEMBE
  • Trecia Pessoa — Vice President & Senior Managing Counsel, Consumer Products, Impact Solutions and Blockchain & Digital Assets, Mastercard
Focus: Law, Technology, & Leadership
A conversation at the Black Women Building Bridges Brunch, exploring journeys into legal counsel, leadership lessons, and the intersection of law and today’s evolving tech landscape.
Conversation 2 · Wellness, Technology, & Health Equity
Led by
Tyler Baker
MPH Candidate at The Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, and former Business Consultant at Deloitte
Featuring
  • Cierra Brown - 1st year Medical Student at Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons
  • Kourtney Bobb — Founder, BWHEL, MPH Candidate at The Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, and Finance & Operations Management Associate at Northwell Health
Focus: Medicine, Health, & Community
A conversation at the Black Women Building Bridges brunch, exploring journeys in healthcare, leadership in medicine, and what it means to serve and advocate for our communities.
BWBB is designed so participants leave not only informed, but better positioned—with greater clarity on how to navigate their work, expand their influence, and contribute to long-term progress for Black women and the communities they serve.
Whether you're a student mapping your path, a professional deepening your practice, or a leader expanding your reach, BWBB creates space for the reflection and relationship-building that positions you for what comes next.

Part of the Building Bridges Series
Powered by BLK Incubator in collaboration with The Organization of Black Women at NYU, and The Black Women's Health Collective at NYU.