Pictured (l-r): Christopher D Thomas, Chairman of Fulcrum Collective; Cornell Wesley, Chief Economic Development Officer for the City of Birmingham; Dulce Victoria Rivera, CEO of Mi Pueblo Supermarket; Dr. Bobbie Knight, President of Miles College; Gilberto Herrera, President of GH Enterprises
by Topher Darrell
The 2025 Season of Network ‘n’ Chill launched in Birmingham with the kind of electricity that doesn’t require sunshine to spark—though the rain respectfully held off until the final handshake and goodbye. Hosted on the rooftop of Michael’s Restaurant, the air buzzed with intentional energy as a diverse collection of professionals, entrepreneurs, and cultural architects gathered—not just to network, but to be moved, seen, and expanded.
Presented by The Fulcrum Collective by Network ‘n’ Chill, the event reminded the city that real connections don’t just happen—they’re curated.
“Birmingham has spoken,” said Christopher D. Thomas, President of inMMGroup (the re+inVent co) and Chairman of The Fulcrum Collective. “We saw collaboration in motion, ideas being exchanged, doors opening, and confidence rising. Our goal is to create spaces where potential gets permission to show up boldly—and tonight proved we’re doing exactly that.”
From the moment attendees stepped into the rooftop venue, they were immersed in an atmosphere that was both elevated and inclusive. The now fan-favorite Nut and Bolt Icebreaker transformed introductions into intentional conversations and made it impossible to leave without a new connection—or ten.
Those in the room during the Chill Chat Pioneer session were treated to rare and powerful insights:
- Cornell Wesley, Chief Economic Development Officer for the City of Birmingham, broke down the intersection of innovation and inclusive growth, revealing how cities like Birmingham can become global players without losing their soul.
- Dulce Victoria Rivera, CEO of Mi Pueblo Supermarket, unapologetically shared how heritage, hustle, and humility shaped her leadership—and how business can be both profitable and culturally rooted.
- Dr. Bobbie Knight, President of Miles College, captivated the crowd with her trailblazing story of leadership and legacy, proving once again that when women lead, institutions rise.
“What we created tonight wasn’t just an event,” said Gilberto Herrera, President of GH Enterprises and Co-Producer of Network ‘n’ Chill. “It was a shift. And if you weren’t in that room, you missed a moment that can’t be recaptured.”
Kay Powell, Sr. Development Director at the Alzheimer’s Association, called the evening “PHENOMENAL.” Others echoed the sentiment as they snapped photos, exchanged cards, and lingered long after the event ended—some still marveling at how much value was packed into three hours.
Of course, none of this would be possible without the brands that help carry the mission forward. Special thanks to our Sponsor Partners:
- Kyla Carr, The Revenue Maven
- ProInked Professional Printing Services
- The Denmarks (Antonio & Ashley Denmark)
- Tameka P. Holmes, State Farm Agent
- V94.9
- DJ Michael London
- Mogul Mission
Their belief in building people—not just exposure—allowed Network ‘n’ Chill to remain free to attend, while delivering a high-impact experience worthy of ticketed events.
As for those who missed it? This wasn’t just another Monday night—it was a signal to the city and beyond.
The next stop? Huntsville – May 19. The energy is already building.
To become a sponsor or join the movement, visit:
www.NetworkChill.org