Building what comes next, together.

Rooted in Philadelphia, the Black Cannabis Week platform carries the spirit of a city shaped by organizing, creativity, resilience, and community survival. As a program of 501c3 non-profit Marijuana Justice, BCW has evolved into a week of experiences where policymakers, entrepreneurs, educators, advocates, wellness leaders, creatives, students, and community members gather to exchange ideas, build relationships, and move conversations forward together.

BCW Team Leaders

  • Dr. Brandi Hester-Harrell

    Executive Producer

  • Ayanna Lawson

    Community Relations Lead

  • Amorette Mason

    Education Lead

  • Laronda Richardson

    Programming and Speaker Lead

  • TeeJay Harris

    Vendor Coordination Lead

  • Rasheda Morgan

    Media and Production Lead

  • Leekiano King

    Content Creator Lead

  • Naeemah Patterson

    Volunteer Coordination Lead

  • Nick Lyle

    Marketing Lead

  • Nekeidra Cromwell

    Community Service Lead

  • Shay Mosley

    Wellness Lead

  • Keisha Reed

    Retail Lead

  • Kesha Pendergrast

    Nova Justice Program Lead

Our Story

Abstract digital artwork featuring pink, red, and purple pixelated patterns with black background.

Back in 2015, conversations around legalization, investment, and economic opportunity were expanding quickly, but many communities still felt disconnected from the rooms shaping policy, visibility, and long-term access.

Information was fragmented. Leadership spaces often felt transactional. And too many people — especially those closest to the cultural and social impact of these conversations — were navigating systems that did not feel built with community in mind.

That reality led founder Cherron Perry-Thomas, alongside organizers, educators, advocates, entrepreneurs, and community leaders, to begin building something different.

Instead of creating a traditional conference, the vision centered around building an entire week of experiences that could bring different communities, conversations, and forms of engagement together under one connected platform.

What started as a few conversations evolved into a collaborative ecosystem centered around education, restorative dialogue, wellness, entrepreneurship, civic engagement, storytelling, and collective growth. Over time, BCW became known not just for programming, but for the feeling people experienced when they entered the space: intentional, welcoming, honest, creative, and deeply rooted in connection.

People stayed long after sessions ended. Conversations spilled into hallways, dinners, parking lots, partnerships, collaborations, and future organizing work.

As the platform evolved, so did the model. Four years ago, BCW intentionally shifted toward a more unconference-inspired experience that created more room for participation, collaboration, creativity, and real dialogue instead of rigid, transactional programming.

Because learning, leadership, healing, and opportunity are not monolithic — and the spaces designed to support people shouldn’t be either.

Created for intersection and community.

Too many people are still disconnected from the information, relationships, resources, and opportunities shaping this space.

For years, stigma, criminalization, misinformation, and unequal access created barriers that impacted communities socially, economically, and politically. At the same time, many leadership spaces became increasingly inaccessible, expensive, or disconnected from the realities everyday people were navigating.

BCW was built to create something different: A space centered around education, dialogue, visibility, wellness, entrepreneurship, and collective participation.

We believe people deserve spaces where leadership conversations feel accessible, learning feels collaborative, wellness is treated as essential, and culture is recognized as a powerful force shaping public dialogue and collective futures.

We also believe people deserve spaces where they do not constantly have to explain their value, defend their humanity, or separate healing from opportunity.

  • Too many traditional spaces operate in silos.

    Policy conversations happen in one room. Wellness conversations happen somewhere else. Entrepreneurs are separated from educators. Community members are separated from decision-makers. Cultural leaders are rarely treated as systems leaders even while shaping public narratives every day.

    The result is fragmented ecosystems that struggle to build long-term collective progress.

  • BCW intentionally brings together policymakers, entrepreneurs, advocates, creatives, educators, healthcare professionals, students, organizers, and community members through a model designed around participation instead of gatekeeping.

    That includes:

    • leadership gatherings and policy conversations

    • restorative justice and civic engagement initiatives

    • wellness and cultural activations

    • entrepreneurship and workforce visibility

    • collaborative learning experiences rooted in dialogue and participation

    Four years ago, the platform intentionally shifted toward a more unconference-inspired experience focused on accessibility, relationship-building, creativity, and cross-sector collaboration.

    Instead of asking people to fit into one lane, BCW creates room for multiple forms of leadership, learning, healing, and participation to exist together.

Group of diverse people posing for a photo at an event, with a backdrop displaying the words "blk Cannabis" and a sign above the doors with the names Wendy and Solomon Luo, MD.
Four diverse women smiling and standing together in formal attire at an event, with a musician playing guitar in the background and a large mirror on the wall behind.

Unlike traditional conferences where speakers deliver from a stage, BCW operates on an unconference model. You're here to go beyond listening and actually participate. Your expertise becomes impactful, policy discussions become dialogue, entrepreneurship becomes peer problem-solving, and wellness and culture are woven throughout.

The agenda responds to what people actually need. Friday afternoons, attendees propose sessions around real challenges they're working through. You leave here with not just business cards, but collaborations and relationships.

What is the unconference model?

Group of people participating in a yoga or meditation class on yoga mats in an industrial-style room with exposed brick walls and candles.

Group of people participating in a yoga or meditation class on yoga mats in an industrial-style room with exposed brick walls and candles.

Three people sitting on a stage during a panel discussion, with one man speaking into a microphone, and others listening, in front of a patterned curtain, with audience members in the foreground.

Three people sitting on a stage during a panel discussion, with one man speaking into a microphone, and others listening, in front of a patterned curtain, with audience members in the foreground.

Group of five diverse people standing together at an indoor event, smiling and posing for the camera, with plants and a large striped wall in the background.

Group of five diverse people standing together at an indoor event, smiling and posing for the camera, with plants and a large striped wall in the background.

Inside a large, modern building with high glass windows, people are sitting and browsing at tables, while others are walking around. There are displays with items for sale, and a large orange wall with hanging decorative glass art.

Inside a large, modern building with high glass windows, people are sitting and browsing at tables, while others are walking around. There are displays with items for sale, and a large orange wall with hanging decorative glass art.

Two men having a conversation at an outdoor event during sunset. One is wearing a large black hat, sunglasses, and a dark jacket, while the other wears a beige bucket hat and a white t-shirt with text printed on the back.

Two men having a conversation at an outdoor event during sunset. One is wearing a large black hat, sunglasses, and a dark jacket, while the other wears a beige bucket hat and a white t-shirt with text printed on the back.

Three people sitting on a stage, one speaking into a microphone, at a panel discussion or conference. Audience members are visible in the foreground.

Three people sitting on a stage, one speaking into a microphone, at a panel discussion or conference. Audience members are visible in the foreground.

Group of people gathered for a press conference or event in a large indoor space, with a backdrop featuring the logo for BLOCK CANNABIS. Attendees are standing, some holding hands, facing a speaker or panel.

Group of people gathered for a press conference or event in a large indoor space, with a backdrop featuring the logo for BLOCK CANNABIS. Attendees are standing, some holding hands, facing a speaker or panel.

People sitting on colorful couches and chairs in a busy indoor waiting area or lounge, some using their phones, others talking or observing.

People sitting on colorful couches and chairs in a busy indoor waiting area or lounge, some using their phones, others talking or observing.

A group of diverse people attending a presentation or lecture in a bright, spacious room with large windows. Some are sitting and listening, while others are standing and observing. There are tables and chairs, with some people taking notes and other

A group of diverse people attending a presentation or lecture in a bright, spacious room with large windows. Some are sitting and listening, while others are standing and observing. There are tables and chairs, with some people taking notes and others looking engaged.