Opening Keynote: Brittany Packnett Cunningham

Brittany Packnett Cunningham is a powerhouse at the intersection of culture, policy, and social change. A trusted voice in justice and leadership, she moves audiences to rethink power, equity, and what it truly means to lead with impact. As founder of Love & Power Works, host of the critically acclaimed podcast UNDISTRACTED, and an on-air political analyst, Brittany brings a sharp, engaging perspective to the most pressing issues of our time. She has shaped conversations at the highest levels—from advising the White House and U.S. Congress to driving corporate and cultural change with brands like Gucci, Spotify, and Olay. Through compelling storytelling and deep expertise, Brittany doesn’t just talk about change—she mobilizes audiences to create it.

Brittany’s journey is one of unwavering commitment to justice. From serving on President Obama’s 21st Century Policing Task Force to shaping national narratives on racial and gender equity, she has been at the forefront of movements that matter. She has led social impact initiatives at BET Media Group and Teach for America, worked alongside Vice President Kamala Harris as a senior advisor, and played a key role in the Ferguson Commission following the unrest in 2014. She partners with brands such as Olay, Spotify, Procter & Gamble, and Warner Brothers to ensure their corporate philanthropic efforts have maximum impact by channeling critical resources and funding to grassroots social justice movements, and further extends her work through social impact board memberships with Gucci, Sephora, The Children’s Defense Fund, and New Disabled South.

Recognized as one of TIME’s 12 New Faces of Black Leadership, Brittany has graced the covers of British Vogue and Essence, and has been honored by Politico, Marie Claire, The Trayvon Martin Foundation, The National Urban League, and Beyoncé.com. Her insights have enriched the pages of New York Magazine, The Washington Post, Cosmopolitan, and enhanced documentaries like Oscar-shortlisted Stamped from the Beginning, Netflix’s Amend, HBO’s Pod Save America and Wyatt Cenac’s Problem Areas, and Lifetime’s Surviving R. Kelly.

Brittany’s TED Talk, “The Revolution of Confidence,” has been translated into 22 languages, amassed over eight million views, and was ranked among the top ten talks of the year. A three-time fellow at Harvard’s Institute of Politics, she spoken to audiences worldwide, imparting lessons of social change and redefining power. Her debut book, We Are Like Those Who Dream: Black Women’s Blueprint for a New Power, set for release in 2027, cements her position as a leading voice in reimagining leadership and progress. Her rallying call remains, “Let’s go get free.”