Program Planning Committee Members
Dr. Kelly Carter
Morgan State University, Department of Accounting and Finance
Dr. Kelly Carter is a Professor of Finance at Morgan State. His research includes finance, economics, and accounting. Prior to academia, he worked for several years at a major consulting firm and at major corporations. He received a PhD in Finance from the University of South Florida.
Dr. Akash Dania
Delaware State University, Department of Accounting, Economics and Finance
Akash Dania, Ph.D., is Professor of Finance at Delaware State University with prior leadership roles at DSU and Alcorn State. His expertise spans fintech, risk, emerging markets, and real estate finance. He has extensive teaching experience, numerous peer-reviewed publications, conference presentations, and applied work in analytics, program development, and evaluation.
Domains of expertise: AI and Financial Technology (FinTech), Real Estate Finance, Data Analytics & Quantitative Methods, Academic Program Development, Grant & Contract Evaluation
Stella Egbelana
Morgan State University, Department of Accounting and Finance
Stella Egbelana is an MBA candidate specializing in finance, with a background in social work and a passion for economic justice. She serves as President of the Black Venture Capital Consortium and is an NCRC Fellow (2025–2026), with interests in venture capital and private equity, focused on AI in finance and building inclusive pathways to wealth creation.
Domains of expertise: Venture Capital, Impact Investing, AI in Finance, Economic Justice, Inclusive Wealth Building
Dr. Harvey Hou
Alabama State University, Department of Physical and Forensic Sciences
Dr. Harvey Hou is a Professor of Forensic Sciences at Alabama State University. He completed his Ph.D. from Peking University and postdoctoral training at the Rockefeller University. He published 5 books, 137 publications, and organized 27 conferences. He is passionate about photosynthesis, forensic chemistry, education, using machine learning and AI.
Domains of expertise: Chemistry, Plant Biology, Teaching, Machine Learning, AI
Dr. Ann-Marie Hyatt
Hampton University, Department of Business Administration
Dr. Tejal Mulay
Florida A&M University, School of Architecture and Engineering Technology
Dr. Tejal Mulay is an Assistant Professor of Electronic Engineering Technology at Florida A&M University. Her work focuses on AI in education, robotics, and workforce development in semiconductor and emerging technologies. She actively leads interdisciplinary initiatives integrating AI, engineering education, and industry collaboration.
Domains of Expertise: Artificial Intelligence in Education; Robotics and Automation; Engineering Technology Education; Semiconductor Workforce Development; Applied Machine Learning
Dr. Oluwagbemiga Ojumu
Prairie View A&M University, College of Business
Strategic academic leader and applied economist with over 15 years of experience in higher education, research administration, and international business. Secured over $7M in external funding, published extensively in high-quality outlets, and advanced institutional priorities through program leadership, global engagement, and faculty and student development.
Domains of Expertise: Applied Economics Statistics International Business & Trade Policy Research Administration Program & Academic Leadership
Dr. Collins Okafor
North Carolina A&T State University, College of Business and Economics
Dr. Collins E. Okafor is an Associate Professor of Finance at North Carolina A&T State University. His research and teaching focus on corporate finance, FinTech, artificial intelligence, data analytics, Investment Analysis, and emerging financial technologies, with an emphasis on preparing students for the future of finance.
Domains of Expertise: Corporate Finance FinTech Artificial Intelligence Financial Risk Management & Cybersecurity; Data Analytics
Dr. Mohammad Arafatur Rahman
Tuskegee University, College of Business and Information Science
Dr. Mohammad Rahman is an Assistant Professor at Tuskegee University. His research focuses on machine learning, reinforcement learning, quantum computing, and blockchain for cloud-based cyber-physical systems, healthcare, and agriculture. His work is supported by NSF and industry partners including Amazon, Intel, Microsoft, IBM, NASA, and TMCF.
Domains of Expertise: Cyber-Physical Systems, Cloud Security, Reinforcement Learning, Quantum Machine Learning, Blockchain
Dr. Mohammad Abdus Salam
Chicago State University, Department of Computing, Information and Mathematical Sciences, and Technology
Dr. Mohammad Abdus Salam serves as the Chairperson of the Department of Computing, Information and Mathematical Sciences, and Technology (CIMST) at Chicago State University (CSU). His research expertise spans wireless sensor networks, wireless communication, information and coding theory, data visualization, machine learning, and cybersecurity. He has taught a wide array of computer science and engineering courses and has contributed significantly to scholarly literature, authoring numerous journal articles and conference proceedings. He is a member of ACM and a senior member of IEEE.