ABOUT
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TD STEM Conference is a gathering which explores the global intersection of sports, technology, entertainment and media with culture, innovation, business, education and development and features subject matter experts in those areas.
The NIL Competition is an interdisciplinary contest which intersects sports, entertainment, branding, marketing, business and law. The event is designed to challenge various skills across the fluid landscape in which NIL, endorsement and promotional deals exist.
Participants will use creative, analytical, critical thinking, persuasive and presentation skills. The experience is designed to make participants aware of and to develop skills which can be applied towards their professional and entrepreneurial pursuits, as well as network with current practitioners and develop new relationships.
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KESHIA WALKER
Keshia Walker is the Founder & Chair of the Black Collegiate Gaming Association (BCGA). BCGA’s purpose includes introducing Black students into the overall gaming industry, not only as consumers but as contributors; create team building and leadership skills at the campus level that can be used for competitive internships and career opportunities; and prepare students to become a part of the corporate infrastructure in the gaming industry. Ms. Walker for over 20 years has been involved with brand management and experiential marketing at events during The Kentucky Derby, Super Bowl, NBA, and MLB All-Star Weekends, Essence Festival, BET Awards, The American Music Awards, Grammys, and The Oscars, and has worked with iconic names in entertainment and sports, from Beyoncé to Magic Johnson.
ANIME ANALYST
Anime Analyst is a Producer of content for Anime and Gaming Culture. He has amassed tens of thousands of subscribers and more than 10 million collective video views; has produced critically acclaimed videos such as Analysis, Theories, and Reviews about the latest Anime series; and provides signature live commentary gaming videos for large fighting games. Mr. Analyst has worked with Gaming Publishers such as Bandai Namco Entertainment with content creation.
ERIC J. TROY
Eric J. Troy has over three decades of experience in the areas of education, advertising, marketing, media relations, and sports development in North America, South Africa, and China. He has worked with Fortune 500 corporations such as Coca-Cola, McDonald's, Nationwide Insurance, and South African based Telkom, S.A. He has advised professional athletes in the area of brand and image marketing representing MLB, NFL, and NBA. Mr. Troy co-created a pitch competition event for the Chicago Bulls where a local start-up was awarded a $50,000 investment; developed and managed the Global Venture Through Sports Summit in collaboration with the Investment Association of China, and the Yao Ming Foundation in Las Vegas during the 2019 NBA Summer League; and is a recognized marketing expert and consummate public speaker.
TRACI V. BRANSFORD
Traci V. Bransford, is a Partner at the Atlanta office of Stinson, LLP, where she serves as general counsel, entertainment, media and sports attorney to her clients. She focuses her practice on counseling media and communications clients on legal issues related to the entertainment industry and is a member of the Intellectual Property and Technology Division at Stinson. Traci is the co-chair of Stinson's Entertainment and Media Law Group and a member of the Sports and Outdoor Recreation Group.
Traci also serves as general counsel to collegiate, professional and retired athletes in their individual business and philanthropic pursuits. Traci has decades of experience negotiating with entertainment venues related to artist performances and tour representation. She has negotiated several multimillion-dollar entertainment agreements with worldwide entertainment companies, for publishing administration, merchandise, recorded music and performing rights organizations. Traci also works to closely protect her clients’ intellectual property content through social media influencer, option and literary rights, life story rights agreements and non-disclosure agreements.
MARCUS ROBINSON
Marcus Robinson is a Chicago native, an honorably discharged military veteran, and a social entrepreneur. He is also a creative professional with extensive expertise in graphic design, product development, and manufacturing. In 2017, Marcus became a sports industry licensee specializing in designing and distributing souvenir bats for Major League Baseball, Minor League Baseball, Major League Baseball Players Association, and Negro Leagues Baseball.
In 2021, Marcus launched a new retail division and opened his first luxury sportswear, equipment, and gear boutique at the Chicago Premium Outlet Mall in Aurora Illinois, a suburb of the Chicago metropolitan area. Marcus Robinson is the Co-founder, Chairman, and CEO of Gametime Life Skills Foundation, a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit youth services organization. The cornerstone of the foundation’s mission is helping youth pursue excellence in the classroom and beyond.
EYRAM TAWIA
Eyram Tawia is the Co-founder and CEO of Leti Arts, an interactive digital media company leading the next wave of Africa’s rich storytelling tradition. As an experienced game developer, Eyram believes that Africa can make a salient contribution to the world of game development and preserve culture through this engagement.
Eyram believes preserving cultural diversity through gaming and entertainment is very important and aims to prove this through by creating world class games and comics using African talent. Eyram has worked with Riot Games as a Narrative Consultant on Astra, the first ever Ghanaian video game character in their popular game Valorant. He has won several awards for his work in the African video game development space including the Google Ghana Innovation Hero Award.
KESHIA WALKER
Keshia Walker is the Founder and Chair of Black Collegiate Gaming Association (BCGA). BCGA’s purpose includes introducing Black students into the overall gaming industry, not only as consumers, but as contributors; create team building and leadership skills at the campus level that can be used for competitive internships and career opportunities; and prepare students to become a part of the corporate infrastructure in the gaming industry. Keshia for over 20 years has been involved with brand management and experiential marketing at events during The Kentucky Derby, Super Bowl, NBA, and MLB All Star Weekends, Essence Festival, BET Awards, The American Music Awards, Grammys, and The Oscars, and has worked with iconic names in entertainment and sports, such as Beyoncé, Magic Johnson and the 2020 NBA Finals MVP & Champion LeBron James.
WYNTON YATES
Wynton Yates has significant breadth of experience in entertainment law, film and television, sports law, intellectual property, and copyright and trademark law. He assists clients with all facets of their careers including social media licensing, business development and branding. Wynton’s passion for developing small businesses and serving artist and athletes stems from his extensive background in film and television. In addition to being a former college football player, he had a video and photography production company, acted, and modelled professionally, and was a TV News reporter. Wynton is acutely familiar with the struggles and lifestyles many athletes and artists face, and his deep understanding helps to guide his representation in these areas.