by Rabiya Muhammad
CHICAGO—The WAYMAKER Men’s Summit, one of the most popular conferences for Black men in the country was held in Chicago on September 6 -7, at the Convene Center in Willis Tower.
Founded by Louis Carr, the summit focuses on helping Black men improve themselves, their families, and their communities.
Mr. Carr explained the purpose of the summit: “The WAYMAKER Men’s Summit is where men come together to share their journeys and find ways to improve their lives. Our motto, Competing Against Yourself for Growth: Vision, Discipline, Sacrifice, pushes us to become the best version of ourselves.”
This year’s theme, Breaking Out of Your Comfort Zone, encouraged men to try new things and grow. Now in its seventh year, the summit featured speakers like NBA stars Kyrie Irving and Dwyane Wade, entertainer Nick Cannon, actor Jay Ellis.
Football player turned actor Isaac Keys, Dr. David Montgomery, and many more. Speakers presented topics on how to build a personal brand, develop confidence, improve financial literacy, and grow as a person.
The summit also offered free services for attendees, including haircuts, manicures, massages, facials, and professional headshots—providing Black men with much-needed self-care to complement the connections and networking made during this dynamic two-day event.
Past attendee Marcus Johnson felt the summit changed his life, stating, “It gave me the tools to be a better father, a stronger business leader, and a more focused person.”
Registration for the event was free, making it accessible to everyone. The WAYMAKER Men’s Summit continues to be a space where Black men can grow and become leaders. As Mr. Carr said, “We compete against ourselves, not others, to grow.”
Sister Rabiya Muhammad is a 15-year-old high school junior in Chicago and owner of Creative Powered Visions Photography.
