Invest Fest 2025 lit up Atlanta this past weekend, blending culture, celebrity, and financial empowerment into one of the most influential events of the year. With over 25,000 attendees per day, the three-day experience confirmed its place as a cultural and financial juggernaut.
Friday evening kicked off with a show-stopping performance by Keyshia Cole and high-energy panels featuring Jayda Cheaves, Terrence J, Pinky Cole, Pretty Vee, Gloria Govan, and Dr.Cheyenne Bryant. The ambience was enhanced by drinks courtesy of ASAP Rocky’s Mercer + Prince Blended Canadian Whiskey and Issa Rae’s Viarae Prosecco, making it a night of power and celebration.
Created by Earn Your Leisure founders Rashad Bilal and Troy Millings, Invest Fest has grown from 5,000 attendees in its first year to over 25,000 per day, selling out arenas globally and creating a paradigm shift in financial literacy. By merging culture with real-world economic tools, Invest Fest empowers the next generation with access, education, and opportunity.
Main conference highlights included major star power, cultural and business icons, including Magic Johnson, Jack Dorsey, Issa Rae, Ian “The Master Investor” Dunlap, Tabitha Brown, Fawn Weaver, Matt “The Mortgage Guy”, Charlamagne tha God, and Steve Harvey shared game-changing insights.
Steve Harvey x Charlamagne Fireside Chat: One of the most talked-about moments came from their candid conversation on legacy, wealth, and cultural accountability.
During the conference’s much-anticipated Pitch Competition two groundbreaking businesses received $125,000 each in seeding capital:
● Lola Vision Systems – building AI chips for autonomous machines and providing STEM/AI education for BIPOC communities.
● Swish Vo – a holistic healing platform bridging patients and providers to address gaps in wellness access.
The competition was judged by Earn Your Leisure, 2 Chainz, Angela Simmons, and NBA star Jaylen Brown drawing massive crowd energy akin to a championship game.
The Vendor Marketplace featured over 400 small businesses, buzzing with deal-making, networking, and innovation. Many attendees described it as “the heartbeat of Invest Fest,” showcasing how culture and commerce thrive side by side.
Earn Your Leisure for youth hosted 40 Bronx students from the Roads to Success program for an all-expense paid trip. Their wide-eyed entrance into the arena symbolized EYL’s mission to turn exposure into access.
Throughout the weekend, $275,000 in direct capital was awarded, including pitch funding, scholarships, and a $25,000 grant in partnership with Bevel.
Positivity Meets Policy: Pop Culture Meets Financial Strategy
From deep dives into AI, investing, and crypto, to establishing a sold-out marketplace where culture and commerce converge. Invest Fest didn’t just educate, it made economics accessible, trendy, and actionable.
