B2T Summit Ignites Bold Vision for Financial Empowerment Among HBCU Students

What began as a senior capstone project at Virginia Union University has grown into a transformative movement now gaining national attention. Rodney Manning Jr., a May 2025 graduate of Virginia Union University (VUU), launched FOCUS (Financially Optimistic College Men Uplifting Society)—with a mission to equip young Black men with financial knowledge, leadership skills, and a commitment to community advancement. His journey—and the growth of FOCUS—reached new heights during the 2025 Bridge 2 Technologies (B2T) Global Summit, held May 29–30 in Manhattan, NY.

Joined by Tyriek Crutchfield, a rising senior at Benedict College, Manning represented the FOCUS initiative at this prestigious gathering of global innovators, corporate leaders, and change makers. Together, they engaged in high-level conversations on inclusive innovation, next-generation technologies, and equitable access to capital—all key themes aligned with the mission of FOCUS.

“The B2T Summit was nothing short of eye-opening,” said Manning, Founder and CEO of FOCUS and former SGA President at VUU.
“It reaffirmed our mission to be financially optimistic and purpose-driven—not just for ourselves, but for the communities we serve. We left with real tools, meaningful connections, and a renewed vision for how technology and access can uplift our generation.”

At its core, the B2T Summit emphasized using innovation to close wealth gaps and build generational opportunity. For Manning and Crutchfield, it offered a master class in action and impact:

Access to Capital: Through candid sessions with venture capitalists and founders, they explored solutions to long-standing funding disparities for minority-owned businesses. These conversations emphasized credit readiness, public-private partnerships, and community-focused investing as paths to wealth creation.

Tech for Equity: Summit tracks focused on artificial intelligence, block chain, and digital infrastructure—equipping attendees with insight on how to apply these tools for scalable, community-centered solutions.

Networking with Purpose: The summit’s most powerful moments came through direct engagement with leaders managing billions in assets.

• Fawn Weaver, Founder & CEO of Uncle Nearest, Inc.
• Dr. Trisha Bailey, CEO of Bailey’s Medical Equipment and Supplies
• Janice Bryant Howroyd, Founder & CEO of ActOne Group and a 2023 Forbes top 40 wealthiest self-made women in the US.

These women generously shared wisdom, mentorship, and models of sustainable leadership. Their impact extended beyond the event—they sparked ideas that will shape future F.O.C.U.S. programming and outreach.
Future-Ready Mindsets:

Intimate leadership forums and peer roundtables encouraged Manning and Crutchfield to see themselves not as future leaders, but as present-day catalysts for change. The summit empowered them to lead boldly, challenge systems, and re-imagine what’s possible for Black communities across the nation.
From Manhattan to the Movement: What’s Next for FOCUS

Returning to campus, the FOCUS team is translating inspiration into action. Manning and Crutchfield plan to launch student-led financial literacy workshops, investment clubs, and peer mentorship circles rooted in the strategies and frameworks gleaned at the summit.

“We also extend our deepest thanks to Mr. Eric Kelly President and CEO of B2T, Mrs. Carol Dixon Chief Human Resources Officer, and our trusted advisors, Dr. Roderick Smothers Executive Vice President/COO and Interim Provost at VUU, and Attorney Katina Semien Smothers Executive Director of the Louisiana Legislative Black Caucus, whose mentorship and investment made this life-changing opportunity possible. Their support continues to fuel our vision for what’s possible when young Black men are empowered to lead.”

Looking ahead, FOCUS plans to expand chapters across HBCUs nationwide, cultivating a pipeline of Black men who are financially literate, socially conscious, and ready to build generational wealth and legacy.