MEET THE VOICES OF VIBE

Speakers

2027 Lineup — Announcements Coming Soon

We are building something special for VIBE 2027. Speaker announcements will be rolling out in the coming months. Follow us on social media and sign up for updates to be the first to know who is taking the stage.

March 17-19, 2027

FEATURED KEYNOTE FROM VIBE 2026

2026 Keynote Speaker

Darnell Lamont Walker

Darnell Lamont Walker is an Emmy-nominated writer, storyteller, and thought leader whose work explores community, culture, and human connection. As the 2026 VIBE Keynote Speaker, he challenged attendees to think differently about leadership, impact, and the stories we tell through research and insights.

March 18–20, 2026

Twelve Midtown/Atlantic Station, Atlanta, GA

VOICES THAT SHAPED VIBE 2026

2026 Speakers

Tikica Benjamin

Founder & Strategic Insights Consultant | VIBE Black MRI Conference and Foresight Forward

Anuli Akanegbu

PhD

Cultural Anthropologist

Reggie Alston

Vice President of Qualitative Research

Ebony Marketing Systems

Abenaa Boakye

Marketing & Analytics Analyst

Levi Strauss & Co.

Joyce Chuinkam

Director

Talk Shoppe

Tinesha Craig

Retired Analytics & Insights Executive

Formerly Target

Kelli Davis

Head of Consumer Insights - MCCS BU

Kraft Heinz

Michael Forsberg

Founder & Strategic Insights Consultant

Michael Forsberg

Kai Fuentes

President & CEO

Ebony Marketing Systems

Anna Gifty Opoku-Agyeman

Economist and Author of The Double Tax

Harvard PhD Candidate

Darien Grant

Category Insights Executive

Molson Coors Beverage Company

Justin Hawkins

Global Consumer Insights & Analytics Lead, Adult Care

Kimberly-Clark

Tamara Irving

Owner

TMI Design & Consulting

Janelle James

US Head of Cultural Intelligence

Ipsos North America

Richard D. Johnson

Future of Work Economist

Author of Network Currency (2026)

Blake Jones

Sr. Director, Global DTC & Product Insights

Levi Strauss & Co.

Alyssa Kearney

Managing Director

Brand Trust

Crystal Kendrick

President

The Voice of Your Customer

Autumn McDonald

Owner and Faculty

ADM Insights & Strategy and Howard University

Alanna Shipley

Head of Audience Insights

DoorDash

Ryan Soulet

Senior Manager, Global Shopper Insights

Levi Strauss & Co.

Tharius Sumter

Senior Insights & Strategy Consultant

ADM Insights & Strategy

Natalie Watson

Director, Customer & Market Insights

Chick-fil-A

Courteney Wilds

President & CEO

CourtLynn, Inc.

Onika Williams

Founder & President

Evolv3 Consulting

Kristen McCloud

VP of Marketplace Insights

Levi Strauss & Co.

Corey Ross

Sr. Director Consumer and Commercial Insights

GE Appliances

Share Your Voice

Want to Speak at VIBE 2027?

VIBE is always looking for practitioners, thought leaders, and emerging voices who have something valuable to say to the market research and insights community. If that is you — or someone you know — we want to hear from you.

Registration Opening Soon

Registration for VIBE 2027 isn’t open yet but it’s coming! Stay tuned and follow us on social media to be the first to know when spots open up.