INFLUENCE-DiCOTA is bringing its transformative Health, Education & Betterment (HEB) Hub & Oasis Initiative to Cleveland from August 6–10, 2025.
This groundbreaking initiative offers a space for collaboration, innovation, and healing – blending community connection with career opportunity in a setting designed to uplift underserved populations, especially veterans and military families.
At the core of the HEB Hub is the belief that wellness, education, and entrepreneurship go hand-in-hand. Veterans, often underrepresented in media narratives and community development conversations, are given a platform to tell their stories, showcase their talents, and build networks that foster long-term self-sufficiency.
This year’s event is powered by the Veterans Entrepreneurial Development Initiative (VEDI), which works to:
- Increase the number of veteran-owned businesses.
- Build capacity for veterans to hire fellow veterans.
- Provide essential resources for sustainable economic growth.
The HEB Suite is more than just a hospitality space—it’s an “oasis” for media professionals, entrepreneurs, educators, and most importantly, veterans transitioning from military to civilian life. Participants will engage in:
- Career development sessions.
- Informal networking with top-tier professionals.
- Strategic workshops and showcases focused on health equity, business growth, and educational access.
Veterans will have the chance to collaborate with journalists, public relations specialists, and influencers—helping shape the public conversation around veteran achievements and challenges.
A featured initiative during the week is the Mark R. Griffith Black Men’s Health Empowerment & Longevity Project (MRG-HELP). This campaign honors the late CBS producer and NABJ board member while raising awareness about cardiovascular health in Black men—a mission that aligns with veteran health equity priorities.
As the nation’s leading certification body for veteran-owned businesses, NVBDC recognizes the importance of community-led initiatives that champion entrepreneurship, and access to health resources. The HEB Suite represents a bold model for inclusive innovation, where veterans are celebrated not just for their service, but for their continued leadership in business and beyond.
Want to Support or Attend? Sponsorships and suite opportunities are available for organizations aligned with empowering veterans and advancing diversity in media, health, and entrepreneurship.
For more information, visit InfluenceDiCOTA.com or contact Meta J. Mereday, Founder & Senior Contributor, at Meemee12@msn.com.
