Kevin Johnson and Rap Snacks founder headline Harlem wealth-building summit

Harlem Commonwealth Council is hosting a free two-day wealth-building convening in Harlem this weekend, with a public masterclass Saturday at Columbia University and city leadership remarks Friday. The event aims to help entrepreneurs move from earning income to building businesses, assets and generational wealth.

Why it matters: - Harlem Commonwealth Council is using the summit to push a basic but urgent message: earning income is not the same as building ownership. - The event is designed to connect entrepreneurs and aspiring owners with practical tools, capital pathways and business relationships. - The timing lands as New Yorkers face high costs, limited access to financing and persistent barriers to economic mobility.

What happened: - Harlem Commonwealth Council said registration remains open for its free “Built to Last: Wealth-Building Masterclass” on Saturday, Oct. 17, at The Forum at Columbia University. - Kevin Johnson, a former NBA All-Star, entrepreneur and two-term Sacramento mayor, and James Lindsay, founder and CEO of Rap Snacks, will headline the event. - The two-day convening begins Friday with a capacity program at Harlem Commonwealth Council. - NYC Comptroller Mark Levine is scheduled to deliver remarks during Friday’s opening. - NYC Council Member Yusef Salaam, who represents District 9, is also expected to participate.

The details: - Saturday’s masterclass runs from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at The Forum at Columbia University, 601 West 125th Street, New York, NY 10027. - Admission is free with advance registration. - Registration for Saturday is available here. - Featured speakers include Jamie Dominguez, national director of industry relations at the Mechanical Licensing Collective; Jerry “Wonda” Duplessis, a Grammy Award-winning record producer, musician and entrepreneur; Maurice Russell Grey, CEO and principal broker at ESRA Realty; and Sharon Joseph, president and CEO of Harlem Commonwealth Council. - Session topics include building and scaling businesses, accessing capital, protecting intellectual property, developing brands, connecting with investors and creating generational wealth. - Friday’s discussions will focus on policies, public programs, contracting opportunities and other resources tied to small-business growth and economic mobility across New York City’s five boroughs. - Friday’s public registration has reached capacity, and press coverage is being coordinated in advance through Harlem Commonwealth Council’s media team. - Media coverage opportunities include remarks from Levine, panels, workshops, interviews with participating business leaders and visual coverage from Columbia University. - Advance interviews with Sharon Joseph are available upon request, and interviews with additional speakers depend on availability. - The summit is presented with West Harlem Development Corporation, 100 Black Men, Harlem Community Development Corporation and Harlem Commonwealth Council. - Harlem Commonwealth Council says the organization has worked since 1967 to advance economic self-determination through entrepreneurship support, workforce development, access to capital and financial education.

Between the lines: - The summit frames ownership as the next step beyond work and wages, which fits a broader push among community development groups to link entrepreneurship with long-term wealth creation. - By placing city officials, business leaders and aspiring owners in the same room, Harlem Commonwealth Council is trying to turn policy talk into practical access. - The Columbia University setting gives the event a broader public profile while keeping the focus on Harlem-based economic advancement.

What's next: - Saturday’s public masterclass is set to draw entrepreneurs, investors, business leaders and aspiring owners for a day of instruction and networking. - Friday’s closed-capacity leadership program will open the weekend with policy and economic opportunity discussions. - Harlem Commonwealth Council will continue fielding media and interview requests through its media team ahead of the summit.