A national summit focused on closing the racial wealth gap and expanding access to capital for minority entrepreneurs arrives at the Sheraton Sand Key Resort on Wednesday, Aug. 5, running through Friday, Aug. 7.

The National Black & Latino Economic Summit will bring bank partners, housing developers, and small business leaders to Clearwater Beach for three days of sessions on economic justice, affordable housing development, and financing pathways for Black and Latino business owners, according to a WMNF listing published July 29.

Organizers have not released a public speaker list or detailed agenda. Registration and scholarship information are available at blackandlatino.org. A flash-sale promotion on the summit's Facebook page offered $25 off tickets with code FlashSale26, plus a scholarship covering one night's hotel stay.

The resort sits at 1160 Gulf Blvd. with 24,000 square feet of indoor meeting space.

The summit arrives as Clearwater builds out programs aimed at the same communities. AMPLIFY Clearwater, the city's chamber of commerce foundation, launched AMPLIFY en Español in October 2025 to connect Hispanic and Latino entrepreneurs across Pinellas County. Amanda Payne, the chamber's president and CEO, said in an October 2025 press release announcing the program that it was "a powerful step forward in creating a more inclusive business community."

In the North Greenwood Community Redevelopment Area, the Clearwater Urban Leadership Coalition's shipping-container retail incubator, known as The Village, won unanimous approval from the Community Development Board in May. Gloria Campbell, the coalition's executive director, told WUSF in June that the project would "jumpstart redevelopment in the CRA" after six years of planning. The incubator has space for 10 small businesses and is expected to open by early 2027.

No full ticket price has been published. Speakers and a session agenda had not been announced as of July 29.