ATLANTA, Sept. 3, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- The National Black MBA Association (NBMBAA) is excited to announce a powerful lineup for the 47th Annual National Black MBA Conference & Career Expo in Houston, Texas. A highlight of the event is the session, "The Ultimate Power Play: Leveraging Your Brand for Reinvention," featuring NBA greats Shareef Abdur-Rahim, T.J. Ford, and Earl Joseph "JR" Smith III, moderated by the legendary Jalen Rose.
This dynamic conversation will explore how professional athletes transition beyond the court, applying lessons in discipline, resilience, and personal branding to build successful new ventures in business, entrepreneurship, and community leadership.
Session Date & Time: Thursday, September 25, 2025, 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM (CT)
About the Speakers
Shareef Abdur-Rahim is the current President of the NBA G League and a former NBA All-Star and Olympic Gold Medalist. Since 2019, he has led the league's 31 franchises, overseeing business operations and strategic expansion. An entrepreneur and philanthropist, he holds an MBA from USC and founded Abdur-Rahim Enterprises, an investment group focused on real estate and private equity.
T.J. Ford is a Texas native, former NBA point guard, and the 2003 Naismith College Player of the Year. After a nine-year NBA career, he founded the T.J. Ford Basketball Academy, where he mentors young athletes, instilling values like discipline and perseverance. His story of overcoming a career-threatening spinal injury serves as a powerful testament to his resilience and commitment to inspiring the next generation.
JR Smith is a two-time NBA Champion (2016 Cleveland Cavaliers, 2020 Los Angeles Lakers) who played 16 seasons in the league. In 2021, he enrolled at North Carolina A&T State University, where he joined the Aggies men's golf team, earned a 4.0 GPA, and was named the university's Academic Athlete of the Year. His journey is the subject of the 2023 docuseries Redefined: J.R. Smith.
The session will be moderated by Jalen Rose, a versatile multimedia personality, philanthropist, and former NBA player. As a member of the University of Michigan's legendary "Fab Five," and a 13-year NBA veteran, Rose has built a successful career post-retirement as an analyst for ABC/ESPN and TNT/NBATV. He is the founder of the Jalen Rose Leadership Academy, a public charter high school in his hometown of Detroit.
Additional Conference Highlights
The conference will also feature a range of insightful sessions on relevant and timely topics, from wealth building to technology, professional development and entrepreneurship. Notable breakout sessions include:
"The Creator Economy: Turning Content into Currency" with LaToya Moore, Head of Creator Community at TikTok Shop
"Building Empires: From Side Hustle to Generational Wealth" with Jay Bailey, President & CEO, H.J. Russell Innovation Center for Entrepreneurs
"Unlocking Access: Tech as a Catalyst for Career Advancement" with Adrion Porter, Founder, Mid-Career Mastery
"The Growth Audit: Identifying & Addressing Blind Spots" with Raneika Weston, Founder, Your Next Thought
"From Challenge to Change: Transforming Setbacks into Success" with Andre Thronton, CEO, Whitman Consulting
To register for the 47th Annual NBMBAA Conference and Career Expo, please visit https://nbmbaa.org/conference/registration/.
About the National Black MBA Association
The National Black MBA Association is a non-profit, 501(c)(3) member-based professional organization which leads in the creation of educational, wealth building and growth opportunities for Black students, professionals and entrepreneurs. Representing more than 11,000 active members, 40 professional chapters and more than 300 corporate, academic and non-profit partners, NBMBAA is dedicated to developing alliances that create intellectual and economic wealth in the Black community through its five channels of programming: career, education, entrepreneurship, leadership and lifestyle. To learn more about NBMBAA, please visit nbmbaa.org. Follow the Association on social media at LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook and X.
SOURCE National Black MBA Association