Invest Fest Inspires Wealth, Wisdom and Unity

By Audrey Muhammad

Atlanta was alive with energy as over 20,000 people gathered for Invest Fest, a one-of-a-kind event where culture, business, and education came together under one roof during the weekend of August 22-24th.. The conference, hosted by Earn Your Leisure, is in its 5th year. The atmosphere buzzed with excitement as speakers, entrepreneurs, and visionaries delivered not only motivation but also practical tools to help attendees build lasting success. The science of business was revealed in the various sessions.

Co-Founders of Earn Your Leisure, Troy Millings and Rashad Bilal

Jack Dorsey, founder of Square and CashApp, opened the weekend with a clear message: success is rooted in trust. He emphasized that transparency and reliability are essential to any lasting business. Issa Rae echoed that lesson when she spoke about the importance of finding capable partners and protecting intellectual property in contracts, especially in a time when artificial intelligence is reshaping industries. Her advice was simple and timeless—don’t spend money you don’t have, and grow your business with discipline and vision.

The crowd cheered with excitement when Charlamagne Tha God joined Steve Harvey on stage. Harvey reminded everyone that branding is not a part-time job. “Branding is 24/7—you wear your crown even in your sleep,” he said. He encouraged entrepreneurs to lead with intention before chasing attention, to tell their own stories, and to be patient in stacking wealth brick by brick. His words struck a chord, reminding listeners that in business, consistency and integrity just as important as cash flow.

19Keys, Entrepreneur and Thought Leader, delivers a powerful presentation.

The momentum continued with 19 Keys, who issued a call for what he described as a “Cognitive Renaissance.” He reminded the audience that a weak body cannot sustain a strong mind, urging everyone to work out, read daily, eat clean, and drink water, but refrain from alcohol. “A thinking people cannot be controlled,” he declared. His message tied health, discipline, and wealth into one vision of resilience and reminded the audience that the next generation needs leaders who are sharp, strong, and prepared.  He acknowledged the work of The Most Honorable Elijah Muhammad and how he helped Black people build a strong economic base.  19 Keys received a standing ovation for his powerful presentation!

Billionaire Magic Johnson answers question from EYL Co-Founder, Rashad Bilal

Then came Magic Johnson, whose presence electrified the audience. With humility and passion, he shared lessons from his journey to becoming a billionaire. Mr. Johnson was so enthusiastic about sharing his lessons, he stood up and walked the stage to communicate stories. He admitted to passing up an early investment in Nike stock but explained how he turned that setback into fuel to educate himself and grow smarter in business. He described how he built and sold over 120 Starbucks stores, stressing the importance of not selling too early and of customizing offerings for your community. In his stores, scones were replaced with peach cobbler, proving that listening to customers creates long-term loyalty. “You can’t make it without God,” Johnson declared, drawing thunderous applause. His story was a masterclass in patience, perseverance, and scale.

Invest Fest was not just about big names; it was also about practical steps for everyday entrepreneurs. Attendees learned how to post with intention on social media, how one piece of content can change a business, and why consistency is the real currency of growth. Experts shared strategies for lowering taxes through real estate, structuring businesses as S-Corps, and investing wisely by focusing on proven companies such as Tesla, Microsoft, and Nvidia. The lessons were practical, urgent, and accessible.

Activist and Entrepreneur, Rizza Islam speaks on Do For Self: Revolutionary Entrepreneurship

CEO of Peace Pads and Intellectual Power, activist, Brother Rizza Islam and Trae Tha Truth participated in an inspiring panel called Do For Self: Revolutionary Entrepreneurship Panel. Brother Rizza cautioned the audience about sharing too much too soon. He said he only shared information about his business ventures once they were completed.

Perhaps the most inspiring moment came from a young entrepreneur—an eleven-year-old girl who pitched her business, Wealthy and Worthy Hats, to a cheering audience. Her courage proved that vision and determination are not limited by age.  Thanks to the Earn Your Leisure spirit, the audience was encouraged to support the young entrepreneur.  Periodically, entrepreneurs were brought up to the main stage or in the marketplace to share and promote their business.  This was a wonderful example of how to show love and support in the Black community.

From Dorsey’s reminder about trust, to Issa Rae’s emphasis on partnerships, to Steve Harvey’s words on branding, to Magic Johnson’s blueprint for scaling, the message was clear: success is built brick by brick. Other presenters included John Hope Bryant, Dr. Cheyenne Bryant, and Ms. Business, a tax guru whose squad of volunteers kept the conference in high spirit.

Invest Fest was more than a conference; it was a movement of resilience, vision, and execution. The work of Earn Your Leisure co-founders Rashad Bilal, Troy Millings, and Michael McDonald is a powerful example of unity and a sincere desire to see our people succeed. Their work and vision should be admired. For those ready to put in the work, the tools and inspiration were all here. For more information, follow @EarnYourLeisure on IG or visit earnyourleisure.com.

(Virtue Today Magazine is an independently owned Black women’s magazine based on the principles of Proverbs 31. It established "Mothers of Civilization Day" in 2021. It has been uplifting Black and Brown people, especially women, for the past 20 years. The purpose of the publication is to share positive news with beauty, class, and intelligence.

It has featured Erykah Badu, Dr. Ava Muhammad, Yonasda Lonewolf, Nuri Muhammad, Minister Farrakhan, Iyanla Vanzant and many more.  The editor, Audrey Muhammad also writes for The Final Call Newspaper, an international Black Newspaper.  For more information about Virtue Today Magazine and to receive a future free digital issue, sign up to be on its mailing list at virtuetodaymag.com.)