Faith and Fortune: A Global Summit Blends Belief and High-Stakes Business

CHICAGO, IL – March 04, 2026 – This month, thousands of entrepreneurs, CEOs, and investors from over 30 nations will descend on Forest Park, a suburb of Chicago, not just for networking and strategy sessions, but for what organizers call a “spiritual impartation.” The event is the 32nd annual Business & Leadership Conference (BLC), a global gathering hosted by Dr. Bill Winston, a faith leader and founder of the nationally accredited Joseph Business School (JBS). The conference's unique premise is to fuse modern business acumen with biblical principles, promising attendees a competitive edge that transcends typical market analysis.

Under the theme “THE BLESSING: Anointed for Business,” the two-day event aims to activate what its founder describes as a supernatural empowerment for success. In a world grappling with economic uncertainty, artificial intelligence, and shifting global trade policies, the conference offers a message of divine favor as the ultimate business tool.

A Convergence of Faith and Finance

At the heart of the conference is the philosophy championed by Dr. Winston and the Joseph Business School: that faith is not a Sunday-only affair but a core strategic asset in the marketplace. JBS, founded in 1998 and accredited by the U.S. Department of Education-recognized Accrediting Council for Continuing Education and Training (ACCET), has built a global curriculum around this concept. The school teaches entrepreneurs to develop business plans and manage enterprises using biblical principles, aiming to eradicate poverty and build wealth in communities.

“The Blessing is God’s original empowerment for man to prosper, increase, and take dominion,” stated Dr. Winston in the announcement for the event. He argues that this understanding allows entrepreneurs to operate “above and beyond your natural ability and intellect,” attracting favor and opportunities that would otherwise be out of reach. This isn't just about positive thinking; it's positioned as a tangible, spiritual force for business growth.

This message resonates deeply with its target audience of “Kingdom-minded” leaders. Dr. Deloris Thomas, president of the Joseph Business School, emphasizes the need for a different kind of guidance in today's volatile environment.

“Today’s entrepreneurs are navigating the complexities of tariffs, AI, immigration shifts, and DEI rollbacks,” Dr. Thomas explained. “They need more than information — they need revelation. And, when God is your managing partner, you build with a supernatural advantage that no economic condition or change in national policy can cancel.”

Global Voices, Unconventional Wisdom

The conference's lineup of speakers reflects its blend of the spiritual and the secular, the inspirational and the practical. Headliners include figures from vastly different corners of the business world, each bringing a unique narrative of success.

Charles Payne, a familiar face from Fox Business Network and CEO of Wall Street Strategies, will provide insights from the heart of the financial world. His presence offers attendees a direct line to mainstream market analysis, filtered through the conference's unique lens.

In a starkly different story of corporate ascent, Richard Montañez, known as the inventor of the wildly successful Flamin' Hot Cheetos, will share his motivational journey from janitor to marketing executive at Frito-Lay. His story, a testament to innovation from unexpected places, serves as a powerful source of inspiration for aspiring entrepreneurs.

Adding to the global and spiritual depth are speakers like Dr. Cindy Trimm, an empowerment specialist and former senator from Bermuda, and Dr. James Mworia, the architect behind TRIFIC, Kenya's first Services Special Economic Zone, and the CEO who grew Centum Investment Company's assets tenfold. A virtual interview with Tony O. Elumelu, one of Nigeria's most influential business leaders and a noted philanthropist, further cements the conference's international scope and its focus on development and 'Africapitalism.'

This curated selection of voices ensures that attendees receive a multifaceted education, combining hard financial strategies, inspirational life stories, and global economic perspectives.

More Than a Conference: An Economic Engine

Beyond the keynote speeches and spiritual sessions, the BLC is structured to produce tangible results. A key highlight is the Venture Capital (VC) Pitch Competition, an event that puts the conference's principles into practice. Here, entrepreneurs present their business ideas to a panel of investors for a chance to win seed money. Dr. Winston has personally invested over $210,000 in businesses through this competition in past years, demonstrating a concrete commitment to fostering new ventures.

This focus on practical application is a core tenet of the Joseph Business School, which claims to have helped over 60 of its alumni scale their businesses to more than $1 million in annual revenue. While such figures are self-reported, they form a powerful part of the school's narrative of success and its promise to attendees.

The conference also aims to be an engine for regional growth. A special panel, “The State of Entrepreneurship in the Chicago Region,” will bring together leaders from the area's African American, Hispanic, and Asian business communities. This session will address local trends, barriers to growth, and opportunities for collaboration, positioning the international conference as a catalyst for local economic development.

The two-day Business Opportunity Expo running concurrently with the main event provides another layer of practical value, allowing for direct networking and commerce between vendors, attendees, and corporate partners. From high-impact sessions on government contracting and global expansion to curated networking opportunities in the BLC Executive Experience, every element is designed to move attendees from inspiration to action. As thousands prepare to gather, the event stands as a significant player in the growing niche of faith-driven entrepreneurship, offering a unique blueprint for success in an ever-changing world.