Business leaders and environmental experts will mentor students competing for prizes

The Sustainable Solutions Summit returns to the D.C. region this summer, bringing together local students and business leaders to tackle real-world environmental challenges and compete for prizes. Hosted by the Black Student Fund and Forbright Bank, entrepreneurial high school students will collaborate with leading sustainability experts to develop business plans that aim to solve environmental issues. This year, students will focus on three core challenge areas: sustainable fashion, sustainable urban development & infrastructure, and water resources management. Currently, students from 22 schools across DC, MD, and VA will pitch their business ideas to a panel of expert judges for feedback and prizes.

“The Sustainable Solutions Summit is all about empowerment and innovation,” said Leroy Nesbitt, Executive Director of the Black Student Fund. “By giving young people the opportunity to design business solutions, we’re nurturing the next generation of leaders who will build resilient communities.”

What: Sustainable Solutions Summit – a weeklong event focused on challenging high school students to build business ideas to address local environmental issues.

When: June 23-27, 2024

9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. daily

Where: Marriott Courtyard Bethesda

5520 Wisconsin Avenue

Chevy Chase, M.D., 20815

Walking Distance from Friendship Heights Metro Station

Who: Students from 22 regional high schools

Guest speakers, business leaders, climate experts, and judges, including:

Speakers & Judges

Alliance Partners, Lori Bettinger, Co-President

Black Student Fund, Leroy Nesbitt, Executive Director

Coalition for Green Capital, Aaron James, Program Manager

Women in Climate Investing & Finance, DC Chair and CYR Strategies Founder, Cassie Rowlands

Donohoe, Thomas Penny III, Senior Vice President & President, Donohoe Hospitality

Forbright Bank, Natalie Chapman, Director of Community Impact

GRID Alternatives Mid-Atlantic, Jordan Taylor, Executive Director

Jackalo, Marianna Sachse, Founder & CEO

Lunchskins, Kirsten Quigley, Founder & CEO

One Montgomery Green, Wendy Howard, Executive Director

Quinn Evans Architecture, Nakita Reed, Senior Associate

RIFE International, Kwabena Osei-Sarpong, Founder, President & CEO

The Nature Conservancy MD/DC, Amanda Obosnenko, Project Manager

About Forbright Bank

Forbright is an FDIC-insured bank and commercial lender focused on helping to build a brighter future. Forbright is committed to exceptional client service by providing seamless, innovative personal banking services to depositors and creative financing solutions to middle market businesses and investors in healthcare, technology, financial services, real estate, and other industries.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250617066288/en/