Busta Rhymes, Nick Cannon, Ben Crump, and Kirk Franklin featured at 2025 WayMaker Men’s Summit
BET Media Group and WayMaker Men’s Summit presented an impressive lineup of guest speakers and special guests for their impactful partnership during BET Experience (BETX).
By Ricky Richardson | Contributing Writer
(Los Angeles, CA) BET Media Group and WayMaker Men’s Summit presented an impressive lineup of guest speakers and special guests for their impactful partnership during BET Experience (BETX).
This powerful event was held on June 5-6, 2025, at The Beehive by SoLa Impact, located at 1000 E. 60th Street in South Los Angeles. The WayMaker Men’s Summit brought together influential voices from across culture, business, sports, entertainment, activism, and health and wellness. Brothas enjoyed two days of inspiration, empowerment, and enlightenment at the premier summit for African American men.
In a statement “Waymaker Men’s Summit at BETX is a space for real talk, vision and renewed purpose,” said Louis Carr, President of Media Sales at BET Media Group and founder of WayMaker, a platform launched in 2021 to offer guidance and support to those seeking growth and impact. “In a world that too often sidelines stories of Black men, we’re proud to motivate, educate, and inspire Black men so that they have a bigger vision for their families and their communities. BET has been a beacon of hope and opportunity for 45 years for the Black community, so it’s fitting that we come together around the biggest weekend in black culture.”
This year’s WayMaker Men’s Summit, sponsored by Toyota kicked off Culture’s Biggest week with two days of dynamic keynotes, panels, workshops, and exclusive sessions for this and future generations of Black change makers and beyond.
It was an awesome site to see this gathering of Black men, fathers with their sons, teachers, counselors, and advisors with groups of teens, for an impactful and memorable two days. Teens were able to see Black men fellowship with one another and greet each other like family in a safe and supported place built on trust. I’m sure that this had to leave them with a lasting impression of the summit.
Summit emcee was Gary “G-Thang” Johnson with DJ TWiNN rocking the ones and twos on the main stage. WayMaker Men’s Summit 2025 theme Someone Has To Be Great. Why Not You?
This year’s summit got underway with opening remarks from Louis Carr, President of Media Sales at BET Media Group and founder of WayMaker. Mr. Carr laid out a vision for attendees.
Guests were in for a real treat. What The World Needs From Black Men Right Now was presented by Jason Wilson, motivational speaker, author, and mental health advocate. Mr. Wilson shared with everyone the root cause of trauma, and the results of unresolved trauma, followed by tools to assist brothers that will lead them on the road to their greatness. The Cave of Adullam by Jason Wilson is an inspirational documentary film (highly recommended) streaming on YouTube. View it before, on Father’s Day, and afterward with the men in your life.
Navigating Relationships as a Young Man moderated by Ian Michael Brock. The panel consisted of Michael Cooper Jr., Netflix actor, Forever, and Wood Harris, actor. The duo broke down different situations that affect one every everyday inter-relations and offered guidance to better oneself.
Michael “Harry-O” Harris, Co-Founder of Death Row Records, Music Industry Pioneer, in a conversation with Louis Carr and Ian Michael Brock. ‘Harry-O” explained how Death Row Records came to be during Your Mistakes Don’t Define You-Your Moves Do.
The summit continued after a pause for the cause…lunch. Brian “B-Mac” McIntosh-host of For the Fellas, Media personality brought a live version of the show to the summit. The panel featured Michael Jai White, actor, martial artist, and producer; David Banner, artist, activist, and entrepreneur; Skyh Black, actor, and producer; and Derek Luke’ actor, moderated by Ian Michael Brock.
The afternoon continued with more inspiring, uplifting panels and conversations. Faith, Culture & the Black Male Experience featured Kirk Franklin, Grammy Award-winning artist, and music icon, and Dr. Jamal H. Bryant, Minister, author, and Faith Leader. The panel was moderated by Pastor Charles Jenkins.
From 106 & Park to the World: Building Careers, Breaking Barriers, and Leaving a Legacy. This segment featured Terrence J, actor & television personality. Another engagement prevented me from checking out the final four presentations.
Friday, June 6 consisted of another day of dynamic speakers, panels, and workshops. A few highlights were The Man the Moment Demands: Refining Masculinity for a New Generation a highly charged speech by Wallo267, motivational speaker, podcast host, and entrepreneur.
The Journey to Making Life Bigger than Yourself: Justice, Recovery, and the Power of Redemption. This should be a made-for-movie story about Chief Royal Ramey, Firefighter, Community Leader, and WayMaker Making a Difference Awardee.
Nick Cannon, (Photo by Ricky Richardson)
Built to Last: Nick Cannon on Longevity, Legacy and Cultural Relevance. You can see proof of how true this is in the various productions/projects that Nick Cannon is involved with.
Busta Rhymes, (Photo by Ricky Richardson)
Busta Rhymes, legendary Hip-Hop artist, discussion with Louis Carr resonated with everyone in attendance. This segment was entitled Hope Luncheon and Activation Powered by Shea Moisture.
Ben Crump and Louis Carr, (Photo by Ricky Richardson)
Ben Crump, Attorney, Civil Rights Activist, Social Justice Advocate, and WayMaker Trailblazer Awardee, energized the crowd while speaking truth to power, during the session entitled The Fight for Justice: Truth Power & Progress.
I invite you to view the 2025 WayMaker Men’s Summit Program https://waymakersummit.com to get a sense of how magnificent this event was and the tremendous impact the event had on all guests. If that isn’t enough, Google search WayMaker Summit 2025, to check out videos and photos to see what you missed.
Please do the men of your life a favor and share the above link for the WayMaker summit. 2025 WayMaker Summit shared tools and resources with African American men to show them how to become their best selves. This group might include fathers, sons, uncles, nephews, cousins, and brothers in your church, fraternities, neighborhood and network, etc. My hope is that they will be extremely happy that you shared this information with them.
