WAU’s Upcoming Monthly Business Forum Panel to Feature Influential Industry Leaders

TAKOMA PARK, Md. – Washington Adventist University (WAU) will host its Monthly Business Forum on Wednesday, Feb. 26, from 2:30 to 4 p.m. in the university Student Activity Center. The event, hosted by Randy Louis, will feature a distinguished panel of industry leaders, offering students, faculty, and community members valuable insights into business, finance, and professional development. Refreshments will be provided.

“Our goal is to have these entrepreneurs share their experiences and the attributes and skills they have used to navigate the business world,” said Dr. Patrick Williams, chair of the Department of Business. “We also hope they offer strategies our students can adopt as they begin to envision their own businesses.”

This month’s panelists include former NFL wide receiver and entrepreneur Gary Clark, Vice President and store manager for TD Bank Jean (Jay) Laraque, Founder and CEO of Bold Vision Enterprise and co-founder of Investing Education Academy Brent Simpson, sports and real estate professional Lance Hawkins, and nationally recognized real estate investor and entrepreneur Randy Louis, who will also serve as the event host. Each panelist brings a wealth of experience in business, financial literacy, and leadership.

Gary Clark Clark, a former NFL wide receiver and two-time Super Bowl Champion with the Washington Redskins, has transitioned into a successful business career. Inducted into the Washington Redskins Ring of Fame, he is recognized for his contributions both on and off the field.

Clark is the founder of National Football Legend Inc., an organization dedicated to helping athletes, coaches, and professionals navigate post-playing careers. His entrepreneurial ventures extend across real estate, technology, and media. Additionally, he is an advocate for youth empowerment and community engagement, actively supporting education, mental health, and wellness initiatives.

Jean (Jay) Laraque, vice president and store manager for TD Bank, recently launched the bank’s first Community Store in the DMV. At the East Of The River Community Store, Laraque employs an “advice first” approach, offering a range of consumer and small business financial literacy courses drawn from his 20-plus years in banking, consumer lending, and corporate training.

Washington native Brent Simpson, an entrepreneur since age 15, brings decades of experience as a retired stockbroker, mentor, investor, and international business growth strategist. As founder and CEO of Bold Vision Enterprise and co-founder of Investing Education Academy, Simpson advises business owners and investors in markets from Ghana and Morocco to Puerto Rico and the United States on expanding revenue streams and boosting profitability.

 

Lance Hawkins Hawkins, a native Washingtonian and DeMatha Catholic High School alumnus, has built a career spanning sports management, real estate, cybersecurity, and federal government service. As Vice President and Lead Agent for Elite Access Management (EAM), he is a certified NFL, NBA, and NIL agent, specializing in athlete representation and brand development.

Beyond sports, Hawkins partners with Randy Louis in Block Shoppers and owns West Hughes Technologies, a cybersecurity firm focused on governance, risk, and compliance. With over 21 years in government service, he is also deeply involved in community initiatives, including the Building Generational Wealth Expo and Wealth and Wellness programs.

Randy Louis Louis is a nationally recognized real estate investor, developer, and one of the country’s top real estate agents, with over $100 million in sales. He is the founder of Block Shoppers, a movement focused on building generational wealth through real estate and financial literacy. A DMV native and DeMatha Catholic High School alumnus, Louis holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Youngstown State University and a master’s in employment and labor relations from Indiana University of Pennsylvania.

His accolades include being named a “30 Under 30” honoree by the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM). Louis and his team specialize in house hacking, multifamily investing, and portfolio growth. He also organizes financial education masterclasses and leads the annual Building Generational Wealth Expo in Washington, D.C.

The Monthly Business Forum at WAU provides students, faculty, and community members with direct access to industry experts, fostering networking opportunities and real-world business insights. For more information, contact Washington Adventist University Department of Business and Communication at 301-891-4000.