Watson Institute

06/01/2026

Meet the entrepreneurs taking the stage 👏
The 2025–2026 Truist Foundation Fellowship Summits, powered by Watson Institute, features 31 Founders pitching the ventures they've built to strengthen small businesses, create career pathways to economic mobility, and foster thriving communities across Truist Foundation's national footprint.

In-Person Showcase → Atlanta, GA | June 11 | 6:00–9:00 PM ET
Virtual Showcase → Crowdcast | June 24 | 10:30 AM–12:30 PM ET

Both events are free. Both are powerful.

RSVP for In-Person: https://26-tff-summit.eventbrite.com
RSVP for Virtual: https://www.crowdcast.io/c/26-tff-summit

05/27/2026

Dear Chicago,

Something special is coming your way.

For the first time ever, the Wells Fargo Small Business Fellowship Summit is landing in your city — and it's bringing small business owners from Washington D.C., Baltimore, and Chicago together on one stage.

These are your neighbors. Your community members. People who saw a need, built something from scratch, and never stopped showing up.

Together, they've raised nearly $9M and created 181+ jobs. On June 22, they'll share their stories. And you're invited.

This evening is for the dreamers still figuring it out. For the builders already in the middle of it. For the supporters who know that when small businesses win, whole communities win.

🎤 Live Fellow pitches
🤝 Curated networking
🍽️ Light hors d'oeuvres and refreshments
👀 Special guest you won't want to miss

Free admission. Limited seats. First 30 registrants get a special gift!

Secure your FREE spot now! https://wfsbf-summit.eventbrite.com

05/21/2026

Chicago, this one's for you! 🏙️

For the first time ever, the Wells Fargo Small Business Fellowship Summit comes to the city. Small business owners from Washington D.C., Baltimore, and Chicago will take the stage to share the businesses they've built and the communities they've changed.

28 Fellows. Nearly $9M raised. 181+ jobs created.

This is a free event built for business owners, community leaders, funders, and anyone who believes that backing small businesses builds stronger communities.

🎤 Live Fellow pitches
🤝 Curated networking
🍽️ Light hors d'oeuvres and refreshments
👀 Special guests you won't want to miss

Seats are limited — and the first 30 registrants get a special gift! Plus, expect giveaways and raffles throughout the evening!

Don't wait on this one. Secure your FREE spot now!

Wells Fargo and Watson Institute are opening their doors, and this year, Chicago is where it all comes together.

05/15/2026

How do you turn data into direction and insight into impact?

In this session, Erick Gavin will walk through how AI can help you identify community needs, scale your work, and communicate your outcomes with clarity and confidence.

We'll also share details on the Google Data Center Community AI Fellowship, a fully funded opportunity for leaders driving AI-enabled change in their communities.

Register here:
https://zoom.us/meeting/register/4RIW0MitTxKOFoZlljAztA

05/13/2026

Two showcases. Two lineups. One unforgettable Truist Foundation Fellowship Summit. 🙌

The 2025–2026 Truist Foundation Fellowship Summit, powered by Watson Institute, is bigger, bolder, and more accessible than ever — and we're meeting you where you are:

🏙️ In-Person Showcase — Atlanta, GA | June 11 | 6:00–9:00 PM ET
Live Truist Foundation Fellow pitches. Face-to-face connections with entrepreneurs, funders, and community leaders. Local sips & bites.

💻 Virtual Showcase — Crowdcast | June 24 | 10:30 AM–12:30 PM ET
Watch-from-anywhere Truist Foundation Fellow pitches. No camera or mic needed. Live networking in the chat. Full recording sent to your inbox if you can't make it live.

Both FREE. Both powerful. Both built around one mission: empowering entrepreneurs to build better lives and communities across Truist Foundation's national footprint.

Which one will you be at? 👇 Drop a 🏙️ for Atlanta, 💻 for virtual, or 🙌 for both!

RSVP for In-Person: https://26-tff-summit.eventbrite.com

RSVP for Virtual: https://www.crowdcast.io/c/26-tff-summit

05/11/2026

Since 2024, the BMO Fellowship Alumni have created 103 paid jobs, raised $11.9M in capital, and impacted over 1,500 people through their community programs.

Now, it’s time to welcome the next cohort. 🚀

Join us for our upcoming 2026 BMO Fellowship: Alumni Panel, where we’ll share everything you need to know, from the program’s offerings and eligibility to the application process and beyond. You’ll also hear directly from Fellowship Alumni about their experiences and the impact they’ve created in their communities.

🗓️ May 20, 2026
🕒 2:00 PM ET
🎟️ Virtual — RSVP to get the link to join!

📍 The Fellowship is open to applicants based in and creating impact in Chicago, Denver, San Francisco, and Los Angeles.

👉 Register Here: https://zoom.us/meeting/register/QqJ5xcSMQSSa_GEXWCqVaw #/registration

05/07/2026

📣 Big news: the Truist Foundation Fellowship Summit is back, and this year we're going bigger than ever.

For the fourth — and largest — year yet, the 2025–2026 Truist Foundation Fellowship Summit, powered by Watson Institute, brings together entrepreneurs, small business owners, and nonprofit founders from across Truist Foundation's national footprint to pitch the ventures they've built to strengthen communities, expand economic opportunity, and drive meaningful change.

Since 2021, Truist Foundation Fellows have supported 2,400+ entrepreneurs, created 433 jobs, and raised $11.5M in capital. This year's cohort is the most expansive yet — and they're ready to take the stage.

This year, for the first time, the Summit spans two showcases:
🏙️ In-Person Showcase — Atlanta, GA | June 11 | 6:00–9:00 PM ET
💻 Virtual Showcase — Crowdcast | June 24 | 10:30 AM–12:30 PM ET

Both events are free and feature their own dedicated lineup of Truist Foundation Fellows. Whether you join us in Atlanta or tune in virtually from anywhere across the country, we hope to see you there!

RSVP for In-Person: https://26-tff-summit.eventbrite.com
RSVP for Virtual: https://www.crowdcast.io/c/26-tff-summit

05/01/2026

Ready to see what happens when AI meets community leadership? 🚀

We’re excited to invite you to the Google Data Center Community AI Fellowship Alumni Panel hosted by Watson Institute! Join us to hear directly from alumni who are using technology to solve real-world problems and create meaningful change in their regions.

Whether you're a founder, a leader, or just curious about the fellowship, this is your chance to:
✅ Hear real impact stories
✅ Get inside tips on the application process
✅ Connect with a global network of innovators
✅ Ask your questions during a live Q&A!

Don’t miss out on this opportunity to grow your ideas and drive impact.
🔗 Register here: https://zoom.us/meeting/register/ytQoPFd5SIaLhiy_YvVBIg

04/23/2026

Aisha Byrd, CEO and Founder of R&B Dog Bakery and Kym Anglin, Founder of Koko’s Kitchen, joined forces to host the “Pups & Pancakes Fest” a community gathering in Arlington, Texas for individuals and their furry friends!

R&B Dog Bakery and Koko’s Kitchen are pet food companies which create high-quality, nutrient-rich pet treats made with agricultural inputs ingredients sourced directly from regional farms to ensure traceability, support local producers, and promote pet wellness.

As part of the 2025 Retail Readiness Entrepreneurship Training Program, Aisha and Kymbrielle planned and hosted a fun and welcoming event designed to create an accessible space where pet parents could connect with local businesses, discover new products and services, and learn more about pet nutrition and training. The event also supported animal welfare through onsite adoptions and donation drives.

Their event successfully brought together many local pet parents and two dogs were adopted and found their forever homes!

This experience was made possible through the Retail Readiness Entrepreneurship Training Program, in which Basecamps (Fellow-led, community-impact events) are a core component. By providing specialized event training, resources, and a dedicated stipend, the program empowers entrepreneurs to create high-impact events in their communities.

Learn more about the Basecamp experience and the global gatherings that are happening through our programs: https://watson.is/basecamps/