This keynote's a three-pointer!

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September 16, 2024 l Sign Me Up

In true Carmelo Anthony fashion – he likes to sink the threes.

Source: NBA / giphy.com

So he's coming to the MJBizCon main stage with two powerhouse colleagues: Jesce Horton and Brandon Drew Jordan Pierce.

The trio are co-founders of Grand National Agency, a new cannabis business brand, which launched on April 20th.

As Melo says, "I believe that you should put the right people around you, people that will not let anything go wrong."

We couldn't agree more.

MJBizCon provides the place to meet your people and learn from entrepreneurs like the Grand National team, who offer a wealth of expertise from launching business ventures, legacy plant science, licensed cannabis operations, creative direction and more.

Melo and his partners are approaching their latest endeavor, Grand National Agency, with a mission. Read on to learn how they plan to use this platform to drive diversity and empower communities impacted by cannabis prohibition.

And come drop treys with Melo at MJBizCon in Las Vegas on Dec. 4.

Register for MJBizCon

K E Y N O T E P A N E L

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The Grand National executive Team. Photo by MadeByBeedy x Brett Arndt

Grand plans for the MJBizCon main stage

Ten-time NBA All-Star, entrepreneur and philanthropist, Carmelo Anthony has continued his winning streak off the court with an expansive business portfolio committed to supporting underserved communities and bringing diverse voices into the industries he enters.

Alongside Jesce Horton and Brandon Drew Jordan Pierce, Anthony recently co-founded Grand National, a one-of-a kind agency designed to empower cannabis companies who share their passion for culture, cultivation, and community.

This dynamic agency leverages the combined expertise of Anthony's business acumen, Horton's unparalleled cannabis experience, and Pierce's marketing savvy to equip its brands with the resources, sales, and marketing muscle needed to succeed. Together they will share strategies that promote diversity and inclusion, showcasing real-world examples of how these efforts are creating a more equitable cannabis industry.

Join us for this exploration of empowerment, innovation, and social responsibility in cannabis and how it is reshaping the industry's landscape. Cannabis industry expert Zoe Wilder will lead this timely discussion.

MAIN STAGE

Empowerment + Innovation: Reshaping the cannabis landscape while championing diversity and inclusion to propel community and culture forward

Wed, Dec. 4 • 10:00 - 11:00 a.m.

This moderator-led panel discussion will highlight the transformative initiative being pioneered by the Grand National team to drive change through innovative practices that not only enhance the cannabis industry but also prioritize community engagement and cultural inclusivity.

Carmelo Anthony

Co-founder & Chief Influence Office at Grand National, NBA All-Star, Entrepreneur and Philanthropist

Photo by Emiliano Granado

Carmelo Anthony has led a storied career as a three-time Olympic gold medalist and top-ten on the NBA's all-time scoring list, which paved the way for his many other business ventures and philanthropic efforts.

Anthony's lifestyle brand STAYME7O celebrates his well-known mantra and mindset. The first brand under the Grand National agency is STAYME7O Cannabis, which leverages the expertise of the organization and embodies the mission of empowering ventures and increasing diversity and representation in the cannabis industry. Anthony is a New York Times bestselling author with his memoir, which details the stories of his upbringing and the immeasurable odds he overcame to make it to where he is today.

Jesce Horton

Co-founder & Chief Executive Officer at Grand National, CEO at LOWD

Photo by Sam Gehrke

With an Ivy League education in integrative plant science, Jesce Horton co-founded the Minority Cannabis Business Association (MCBA) in 2015 and became a licensed cannabis business operator in 2018 with the launch of LOWD in Portland.

In 2019, Jesce launched NuProject, both advocating for equal access and empowerment in the industry. With the formation of Grand National, Jesce aims to create substantial economic opportunites and ensure growth for communities most affect by cannabis prohibition enforcement.

Brandon Drew Jordan Pierce, p.k.a. "Beedy"

Co-founder & Chief Creative Director at Grand National

Courtesy photo

Beginning his career as a writer on the Nike account at Wieden + Kennedy, Beedy has created award winning campaigns and films, collaborating with athletes such as LeBron James, Kevin Durant, and Kobe Bryant and also serves as Chief Creative Director of LOWD, an award-winning cannabis company.

Having written and directed campaigns for numerous celebrities including David Beckham, Snoop Dogg, Lionel Messi, Pharrell Williams, Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson, and Ted Danson, Beedy plans to use his creative vision to champion diversity and inclusion to propel community and culture forward.

Zoe Wilder, Moderator

Publicist

Courtesy photo

Named "Cannabis Empressaria" by Forbes and "35 Most Influential Women in Cannabis" by Entrepreneur Magazine, Zoe Wilder is a public relations professional and business consultant specializing in lifestyle, culture and wellness.

Zoe has worked with hundreds of clients across a variety of industries to develop and execute inventive promotional content and campaigns that capture the attention of tastemakers and influencers from around the globe. Additionally, Zoe's an ambassador for the Last Prisoner Project, a coalition of cannabis industry leaders, executives and artists dedicated to bringing restorative justice to the cannabis industry.