Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/1539265
26 B M & T ••• September/October 2025 ••• www.blackmeetingsandtourism.com The 29th Annual International African American Hotel Ownership & Investment Summit & Trade Show, hosted by the National Association of Black Hotel Owners, Operators & Developers (NABHOOD), once again brought together industry leaders, investors, developers, and aspiring professionals for an energizing week of connection, insight, and transformation. Held in vibrant Miami, this year's summit was centered around the theme "The Evolution Continues," with a special emphasis on mentorship, generational progress, and the educational pathways shaping the future of hospitality. The 2025 NABHOOD Student Delegates were warmly wel- comed as rising leaders in the hospitality industry. At the heart of this year's summit was the NABHOOD Student Program, a hallmark initiative that invests in the next generation of hospitality professionals and potential hotel owners. This year's student cohort comprising 40 delegates from a diverse mix of colleges and universities across the U.S. and the Caribbean represented a vibrant, multicultural tapestry of ambition, intellect, and leadership. As Education Committee Co-Chairs, Shawn Murray and Greg DeShields expressed sincere gratitude to the deans, profes- sors, and program directors who accompanied their students to the summit, recognizing their critical role in cultivating the talent that will lead tomorrow's hospitality sector. • Participating institutions included: • Bethune-Cookman University • Boston University • Montgomery County Community College • Morgan State University • North Carolina Central University • Northern Caribbean University • Pontificia Universidad Católica Madrey Maestra (PUCMM) • Temple University – School of Sport, Tourism and Hospitality Management • University of the Bahamas • Virginia State University These bright minds came to Miami ready to engage and they did just that. From investment seminars and one-on-one mentoring sessions to immersive workshops and networking events, students were fully integrated into the NABHOOD experience. This blend of student-specific programming and access to general sessions allowed them to connect with sea- soned professionals and absorb real-time lessons in leader- ship, ownership, and innovation. The journey from the classroom to the boardroom began as students transitioned into real-world industry engagement at the NABHOOD Summit. For many students, the experi- ence at NABHOOD was symbolic of their broader path from academia to industry. The student delegates from Pontificia Universidad Católica Madre y Maestra, a private university located in the NABHOOD'S 29TH ANNUAL SUMMIT: "THE EVOLUTION CONTINUES: REFLECTIONS FROM THE NEXT GENERATION OF HOSPITALITY LEADERS, PART II" The 2025 Student Experience - Shaping the Next Generation of Hospitality Leaders BY GREG DESHIELDS AND SHAWN MURRAY