Fort Lauderdale, FLA – On October 21, Dr. William F. Pickard, Ph.D., one of America’s most successful entrepreneurs, business leaders, investor and philanthropist is slated to speak at the fifth annual ICABA® Business Forum.

Dr. Pickard is Chairman & CEO, Global Automotive Alliance, LLC based in Detroit, operates six manufacturing entities with eight plants in four states and Canada, owns several black newspapers and magazines, and is part-owner of the MGM Grand Casino in Detroit.

The Forum will also feature Angela Benton, founder and CEO of NewME who is nationally recognized for leading her social enterprise that has accelerated hundreds of entrepreneurs from non-traditional backgrounds to launching their own businesses and raising venture capital funding, with over $25 million secured to date. Ms. Benton will speak and share her knowledge, resources and investor network with attendees to assist them in getting their companies started and funded. She will provide entrepreneurs of color with expert guidance to grow and prosper in an ever changing global marketplace.

This year’s ICABA® Business Forum theme is Mastering Business Growth to Build Wealth” said Jerome Hutchinson, Jr., Founder and Chief Servant Officer of ICABA.