2026 theme
The 5th-year anniversary theme, SHE CREATES, reflects both the history and future of the SOISB conference.
WE CREATE space.
WE CREATE opportunity.
WE CREATE community.
WE CREATE pathways for success—together.
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Speakers
Friday, April 10, 2026 | Registration: 9 am Conference: 10 am – 4 pm
A Day of Power, Purpose & Personal Elevation
Day One sets the tone for energetic, purposeful and transformational work. She Moves is all about forward motion: mentally, professionally and spiritually. Expect a full day of dynamic panels, workshops, conversations, and activations that inspire you as you create the life you desire to live.
What to Expect:
✨ Panels
✨ Workshops
✨ Keynote speaker
✨ Continental breakfast and lunch
✨ Vendors & activations
✨ Workshops
✨ Art Exhibit
✨ Networking and Connecting
It’s the perfect day to get inspired, get aligned, and get activated.
Friday, April 10, 2026 | 5:00 pm – 7:00 pm
The She’s Honored Reception is one of the most anticipated moments of the She Owns It She Biz Conference. An elegant, high-energy celebration dedicated to honoring excellence, impact, and legacy.
Join us as we pause to celebrate extraordinary women and one man whose leadership, service, and commitment to uplifting the community exemplify what it means to truly give back. This reception is where gratitude meets glamour, fellowship meets celebration, and legacy is honored in real time.
What to Expect:
✨ Honors Presentation Ceremony
✨ Photo Activations and Step and Repeat Moments
✨ Curated Refreshments, Light Bites
✨ Signature Spirits & Toasts
✨ Live DJ & Musical Moments
✨Networking & Mix-and-Mingle Experience
✨5 Year Anniversary Tribute
Whether you’re being honored, supporting an honoree or celebrating the journey, the She’s Honored Reception is a powerful reminder that we deserve to be celebrated. Come dressed to impress, bring your energy, and be ready to raise a glass to legacy, leadership, and the unstoppable power of community.
Saturday, April 11, 2026 | Registration: 9 am Conference: 10 am – 4 pm
A Day Dedicated to Connection, Collaboration, and Collective Impact
Because when we build together, communities transform. Day Two is centered around the heart of She Owns It She Biz community, collaboration, and building. Whether you’re a founder, leader, advocate, creative, or supporter, this day deepens connections and uplifts the voices shaping our neighborhoods and industries.
What to Expect:
✨ Panels
✨ Mini She Talks & Workshops
✨ Continental breakfast and lunch
✨ Vendors & Activations
✨Networking & Building Relationships
✨Entertainment
✨5 Year Anniversary Tribute
This is the day where we honor who we’ve become and who we are becoming together.
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The She Owns It She Biz Conference (SOISB) is an annual multi-day empowerment experience created to amplify, support, and invest in the leadership, innovation, and lived experiences of women. Now in its 5th year, SOISB brings together entrepreneurs, professionals, creatives, non-profit leaders, corporate executives, and community advocates for panels, workshops, keynote sessions, and celebration. This is a space where lived experience matters, community is prioritized, and every attendee has the opportunity to grow, connect, and be fully seen in their power.
The 2026 She Owns It She Biz Conference takes place over two days:
• Friday, April 10, 2026 — Day One: She Moves | Malcolm X College | Registration 9 AM, Conference 10 AM–4 PM
• Friday, April 10 (Evening) — She’s Honored Reception | 5 PM–7 PM (included with select tickets)
• Saturday, April 11, 2026 — Day Two: She’s Community | The Quarry Event Center | Registration 9 AM, Conference 10 AM–4 PM Both days are held in Chicago, Illinois.
A virtual attendance option is also available.
The conference is held across two Chicago venues:
• Day One (April 10) — Malcolm X College, 1900 W Jackson Blvd, Chicago, IL 60612 | (312) 850-7000
• Day Two (April 11) — The Quarry Event Center, 2423 E 75th St, Chicago, IL 60649 | (312) 259-1143
A virtual attendance option is available for those attending remotely.
The 2026 theme is SHE CREATES — celebrating the conference’s 5th-year anniversary and honoring its history and future. WE CREATE space. WE CREATE opportunity. WE CREATE community. WE CREATE pathways for success — together.
Day One theme is She Moves (forward motion: mentally, professionally, spiritually).
Day Two theme is She’s Community (connection, collaboration, and collective impact).
SOISB welcomes entrepreneurs and aspiring business owners, corporate professionals and executives, creatives and innovators, non-profit leaders and community advocates, young women discovering their path, and supporters and allies invested in inclusive leadership.
While the conference honors and centers Black women’s leadership, all individuals who believe in empowerment, inclusion, and collective progress are warmly welcome.
Across both days you can expect: keynote speakers and special guests, expert-led panels and She’s Next panel series, mini She Talks and interactive workshops, continental breakfast and lunch (Day Two), vendor marketplace and brand activations, networking experiences, entertainment, and the 5th Year Anniversary Tribute.
Day One also includes the She’s Honored Reception (5–7 PM) — an elegant celebration with an Honors Ceremony, step-and-repeat photos, curated refreshments, signature spirits, and a live DJ.
The 2026 non-profit partner is the Girls Like Me Project, Inc. (GLMPI) — dedicated to empowering African-American girls to become confident leaders, critical thinkers, and powerful storytellers. GLMPI young women will participate in the conference in hospitality and Purple Carpet roles, and will select the Young EntreprenHER Honoree — an 18–25-year-old alumna who has launched a business or non-profit. Visit girlslikemeproject.org to learn more or support their mission.
Tickets are available at ticketfalcon.com/e/sheownsitshebiz2026. Purchase early — tickets sell out ahead of the event.
Ticket options include in-person single-day, full two-day, and virtual packages.
The She’s Honored Reception (April 10, 5–7 PM) is included with select tiers. Visit ticketfalcon.com for current pricing and full tier details.
Yes — SOISB 2026 offers virtual attendance with access to livestreamed sessions and select programming from both conference days.
Check ticketfalcon.com for the current virtual ticket package and pricing.
The She’s Honored Reception (Friday April 10, 5–7 PM) is included with select ticket packages.
Review your ticket tier at checkout to confirm Reception access. Contact us through the support page with questions.
We encourage teams to attend together. For group ticket inquiries, reach out through the contact page with the number of attendees and your organization name.
Ticket refund and transfer policies are managed through Ticket Falcon — please review the policy at purchase. For special circumstances, contact our team through the support page.
You’ll receive a confirmation email from Ticket Falcon with your ticket and QR code entry pass. Sign up for the SOISB newsletter to receive speaker updates, agenda additions, and event-day logistics as the conference approaches.
Conference days (April 10 & 11): Business casual to business professional. Come ready to move and network — comfort is encouraged. She’s Honored Reception (April 10, 5–7 PM): Come dressed to impress.
Think cocktail attire or your best polished look — this is a glamour celebration.
Registration opens at 9:00 AM on both conference days. Programming begins at 10:00 AM. We recommend arriving by 9:30 AM to check in, pick up your badge, and connect before the day begins.
Malcolm X College (April 10): Street parking and nearby lots are available at 1900 W Jackson Blvd. CTA public transit is also accessible. The Quarry Event Center (April 11): Parking details will be included in the pre-event attendee guide. Arriving early is recommended.
Sign up for the newsletter to receive your full attendee guide.
Yes — the official hotel partner is Sports Illustrated Resorts Chicago, 203 N Wabash Ave, Chicago, IL 60601 | (866) 921-5134.
Request the SOISB special reservation code for 10% off your stay. Book early — hotel availability around conference weekend fills quickly.
Day One (April 10): Curated refreshments and light bites at the She’s Honored Reception (5–7 PM, select tickets).
Day Two (April 11): Continental breakfast and lunch included. If you have dietary restrictions, note them at registration or contact us through the support page.
We are committed to a welcoming and accessible experience for all. If you have specific accessibility needs, contact us through the support page in advance so we can ensure your full participation. Detailed venue accessibility information will be in the pre-event attendee guide.
SOISB is designed as a professional development experience for adults. Young women 18 and older are warmly encouraged to attend. For questions about younger attendees, contact us through the support page.
Volunteer opportunities are available and essential to SOISB. Visit the volunteer section of the website or reach out through the contact page. Volunteers typically receive complimentary or discounted access in exchange for their time.
Exhibitor spots are available for April 10 at Malcolm X College — putting your brand in front of thousands of ambitious professionals.
Apply at sheownsitshebiz.com/exhibit. Current exhibitors include Cultural Relevance, Telemundo Chicago, Rolling Out, and The Auxiliary Podcast.
Journalists, bloggers, podcasters, and content creators covering SOISB 2026 can apply through the contact page. Include your media outlet name, coverage plans, and expected audience reach. SOISB has been covered by Telemundo Chicago, Rolling Out, 5 Chicago News, and Chicago News Weekly
Attendees are encouraged to capture their experience and share it on social media — tag @sheownsitshebiz on Instagram.
Photography and video guidelines for session content will be outlined in your attendee guide. Professional media should submit a credential request in advance.
Use #SheOwnsIt and #SOISB2026 and tag @sheownsitshebiz on Instagram. We amplify attendee content throughout the event weekend — use the hashtags so we can find and share your posts.
Select sessions may be recorded and made available after the event. Details on replay access will be communicated to ticket holders and newsletter subscribers. Sign up for the SOISB newsletter to be notified first.
Sponsoring SOISB offers high-impact visibility, thought leadership opportunities, and exclusive access to thousands of professionals.
Current sponsors include Cultural Relevance, Telemundo Chicago, Rolling Out, Moors Brewing, Black Girl Vitamins, and more. Apply at sheownsitshebiz.com/sponsors
For all press and media inquiries — including speaker interview requests — visit the Press page or submit through the contact page. Include your media outlet, deadlines, and the nature of your inquiry.
The She Owns It She Biz (SOISB) Conference is proud to partner with Girls Like Me Project, Inc. (GLMPI), a phenomenal organization dedicated to empowering African-American girls to become confident leaders, critical thinkers, and powerful storytellers. This partnership creates a natural bridge for young women to grow into the SOISB experience, giving them something to look forward to as future entrepreneurs and changemakers. Founder La’Keisha Gray-Sewell, a panelist during our very first conference, has been a longtime supporter, making this collaboration both meaningful and full circle.
Through this partnership, GLMPI young ladies will actively participate in the conference, assisting with hospitality, supporting the Purple Carpet, and engaging in hands-on leadership experiences that continue to teach, stretch, and inspire them. GLMPI will also select this year’s Young EntreprenHER Honoree, recognizing an 18–25-year-old alumna who has launched a business or non-profit and exemplifies excellence, dedication, and impact in her community.
We invite you to support the Girls Like Me Project by donating your time, resources, or financial contributions. Invest in a future leader. Pour into a young girl who could one day lead a room, launch a company, or transform a community. Visit their website to learn more about how this incredible organization can support your daughter and how you can help support their mission.
APRIL 10, 2026 - LOCATION PARTNER
APRIL 11, 2026 LOCATION PARTNER
OFFICIAL HOTEL PARTNER
Contact our team for a special reservation code to save 10% off your stay.
