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Retail Power. Legal Strategy. Capital Access.

Unlock the Block is a transformative half-day summit dedicated to empowering Black and minority business owners. This powerful meeting of the minds will provide strategic insights, legal education, and direct access to funding resources. Through Unlock The Block attendees will be equipped with tools to revolutionize their business and make strategic decisions about commercial real estate. Whether you’re signing your first lease or scaling into new locations, this experience is designed to help you grow on your terms.

What to Expect

Expect a curated blend of panel discussions, interactive workshops, and community networking designed to demystify the retail leasing process. You’ll hear directly from attorneys, asset managers, brokers, and lenders who are committed to helping minority-owned businesses navigate commercial real estate with clarity and confidence.

What to Expect Features

  • Expert-led panels on lease negotiations, lending, and site selection
  • Interactive real estate workshops on CAM charges and lease terms
  • Fireside chat on business structuring and legal scale-readiness
  • Wellness break with actionable health tips for entrepreneurs
  • Access to property managers, brokers, capital partners, and legal professionals
  • Post-event support tools and programming for continued guidance

Explore all the major announcements from MAX Miami 2024.

Adobe puts greater power and possibility in the hands of creators, teams, and brands.

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Adobe puts greater power and possibility in the hands of creators, teams, and brands.

Innovations in Photoshop and Illustrator deliver more speed, precision, and power.

Video editing in Premiere Pro is revolutionized with innovations from new Firefly Video Model.

Apply MBA Growth Partners online

Tickets & Registration

Tickets are free.

Goldman Sachs & Black in Business scholars are encouraged to attend.

Location & Parking

Venue: 909 Rose Avenue, North Bethesda, MD 20852
Located in the Pike & Rose district, accessible via Metro (Red Line)…

Presented by MBA Growth Partners & Melan Property Management

📍 909 Rose Avenue, North Bethesda, MD 20852
🗓 Monday, November 10th 2025
🕗 8:00 AM – 1:00 PM
🎟  Tickets are Free

Keynote Speaker - Bola Audena

Bola Audena

Managing Partner,
MBA Growth Partners

Bola Audena is a distinguished expert in Business Strategy, Growth, and Transformation with over 20 years of experience in management consulting. As the CEO and Managing Partner at MBA Growth Partners, Bola specializes in helping women and minority-owned businesses anticipate and navigate their business needs while leveraging best practices for strategic planning, go-to-market strategies, human capital development, operational efficiencies, and organizational transformation.

Throughout her career, Bola has been passionate about helping organizations scale and transform through the implementation of systems, processes, technology, and performance management KPIs/metrics. She focuses on building robust operational infrastructures that support sustainable growth and scalability, ensuring that businesses are well-positioned for long-term success and maximum value.

More recently, Bola has dedicated her expertise to working with women and Black-owned organizations, assisting them in building businesses that can sustainably grow, scale, and achieve successful exits. Her approach emphasizes the importance of strategy and a strong operational foundation, coupled with mindset and business coaching. By helping business owners adopt a growth mindset and leveraging her extensive management consulting experience, Bola enables organizations to differentiate themselves in competitive markets.

Her work with a diverse range of clients, including nonprofits, government agencies, and private sector companies, has consistently resulted in improved efficiency, effectiveness, and a culture of continuous improvement. Bola’s holistic approach to business growth and her ability to tailor strategies to the unique needs of each organization make her a trusted advisor and transformative leader in her field.

Bola holds an MBA from the University of Virginia’s Darden School of Business and a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science from the University of Pittsburgh. She is a member of the Association of Change Management Professionals and a certified Project Management Professional (PMP).

In addition to her professional endeavors, Bola is committed to community and leadership, actively serving on the boards of Olney Theater Center and the Central Maryland Chamber of Commerce. Her dedication to empowering women and minority-owned businesses is reflected in her work, as she continues to drive positive change and foster sustainable growth in the business community.

Event Agenda

The event agenda is crafted to give you both strategic insights and tactical takeaways. With panels, fireside chats, and open conversations, you’ll leave with the clarity and contacts to take your next step in retail success.

Featured Speakers & Experts

Our speakers represent a cross-section of the commercial real estate ecosystem—legal experts, property managers, lenders, and entrepreneurs—who bring real-world experience and insight to the table. Their goal is to help you avoid pitfalls, seize opportunities, and position your business for long-term success.

Stacy Martinet

VP, Marketing Strategy & Communications, Adobe

Cey Adams

Artist, Cey Adams Studio

Karin Fong

Creative Director, Imaginary Forces

Nicholas Blechman

Creative Director, The New Yorker

Why Attend

  • Learn how to read and negotiate retail leases with confidence
  • Understand legal rights and avoid costly missteps
  • Decode hidden costs like CAM charges before you sign
  • Connect with capital providers, lenders, and legal experts
  • Discover best practices in site selection and property management
  • Get legally prepared for business growth and asset protection
  • Engage directly with the experts in real-time Q&A and deal conversations

Sponsors & Community Partners

Venue Sponsor: Melan Property Management
Legal Partner: Foley & Lardner LLP
Event Host & Organizer: MBA Growth Partners
To inquire about sponsorship, email: info@mbagrowthpartners.com