7-8 a.m.
Grab and Go Breakfast, Carolina Inn, Room TBA
8:15-9 a.m. | Opening Session
Welcome and Remarks, Carolina Inn, Chancellors Ballroom
9-10 a.m. | Session 1
Innovation by Design, Carolina Inn, Chancellors Ballroom
Jay ’04 and Nimisha Patel ’03 (’06 MHA) transformed their uniquely designed spaces into this art-filled boutique hotel, called Refuge, at the intersection of Central and Hawthorne close enough to Charlotte’s city action while still feeling like a quiet retreat. It has everything you’d expect from a larger-than-life designer, but there are only 5 rooms, unlike The Franklin Hotel, which they purchased in 2009 and recently sold in 2019. More than 50% of all the hotel rooms in the United States are owned by Indian-Americans and for a large part of the last century, they cleaned toilets, washed and folded laundry, and graciously nodded and smiled while being dismissed as serious contenders in a competitive industry. Refuge attempts to pay tribute to the community that has fueled the growth of this industry over the last several decades.
In 2014, Darrel and Patrice Maxam started building tiny homes for short term rentals while using the Airbnb platform. Fast forward to 2021, four tiny homes and three treehouses later, they found an Airstream, gutted it, and hoisted it up 10 feet in the air. Unbeknownst to them, they had tapped into an Airbnb following of design-savvy, plant-loving creatives desperate to travel more consciously. Twenty million listing views later, they have created a multimillion-dollar business called The Atlanta Treehouses. Guests get the experience of private chefs, couple massages, trap violinists and mixologists. Sitting on 2.5 acres in East Point, Ga., the Atlanta treehouses they created encourage mindfulness and eco-friendly relaxations with rustic-chic décor.
10-10:20 a.m.
Shuford UP LoungeBreak, Carolina Inn, Club Room
Spend time networking with your friends and colleagues over coffee and conversation.
10:20-11:10 a.m. | Session 2
I Did It My Way: Tales from the Shuford Innovators-in-Residence, Carolina Inn, Chancellors Ballroom
Soltan Bryce ’13, Eric Campbell ’12 and Shruti Shah ’11 share stories of how they did it. Whether it’s transforming venture capital for the Black community, making healthcare more accessible and affordable, especially for the LGBTQ+ community or adapting learnings from the front of the classroom to financial and sports brands, join us for this panel where you will see yourself in their stories. Moderator: Bernard Bell
11:10 a.m.-12:10 p.m. | Session 3
It’s Not Over: How to Make Life Changes and Still Make Life Happy, Carolina Inn, Chancellors Ballroom
In life, there are no dress rehearsals. Life comes in seasons and life changes. Everyone goes through transitions. For some it’s big life milestones that trigger change. For others, change comes from unfortunate circumstances. Change is inevitable and so many times we ask ourselves: What should I do with my life now? Should I start over? Where do I go from here?
Join Jackie Manuel ’05, Courtney Couch ’08 and Shea Rush ’20 and other notable UNC alumni who have faced these hard decisions for a candid conversation about who they are and how they had to redefine themselves. We will discuss what it means to start over in life and the questions that you should ask yourself. Moderator: Amanda Marshall, Shuford Advisory Board Member and Founder of Fair Chance
12:10-12:30 p.m.
Shuford UP LoungeBreak, Carolina Inn, Alumni Room
12:30-2:30 p.m. | Networking Lunch
Suits and Sneakers, Carolina Inn, Old Well Room
Preregistration is required. Price: $15, Carolina Alumni members: $5
Jaysse and Joanie Lopez, founders and owners of Urban Necessities will be our featured speakers. Join us as we hear how Jaysse, a panhandler-turned-entrepreneur, and Joanie built a multi-million dollar sneaker empire. In 2019 the company brought in more than $20 million in sales.
2:30-8:30 p.m.
Free time/dinner on your own
7-10 p.m.
Shuford After Dark, Stilllife Chapel Hill, 159 E. Franklin St.
Join alumni, students and friends of the Shuford Program at the newest nightclub on Franklin St., Stilllife Chapel Hill. A private space for Shuford alumni will be available from 7-10 p.m. before the club opens to the general public. This will be a chance to reconnect and socialize with others, while dancing the night away.