Houston gathering brought together marketers, creatives and entrepreneurs for conversations
on data, AI, culture, influence and revenue while recognizing standout marketing work from
across the country
The African American Marketing Association (AAMA) celebrated a major milestone with the fifth annual Marketing For The Culture Summit (MFTCS) on August 27, 2026, in Houston, bringing together marketing professionals, creatives, entrepreneurs and industry leaders for a full day of education, connection and recognition.
Held under the theme “Data-Driven Decisions Only!”, the MFTCS explored how marketers can use data, technology, cultural insights and audience intelligence to make smarter decisions, build stronger brands and generate measurable business results. “This year we celebrated five years, and it shows what is possible when we intentionally create space for marketers and creatives to learn from one another, build relationships and have conversations that reflect where our industry is going,” said Michelle Ngome, Founder and President of the African American Marketing Association.
“The Marketing For The Culture Summit has shown tremendous growth, from increased brand awareness and sponsor visibility to welcoming 130 attendees this year. It’s awesome to see the vision mature.” The program opened with The State of Marketing, Media, Data & Culture, featuring Kedric Walls, Senior Account Executive, Business Development – Agency Partnerships at Nielsen, in conversation with communications and media expert Jennifer Moore. Throughout the day, speakers examined topics including consumer insights, the creator economy, brand partnerships, AI, content strategy, event marketing, audience growth, and revenue strategies.
Additional programming included Trust Is The New Currency: Building Brands, Community & Partnerships in the Creator Economy, Show Me the Receipts: How to Make AI Prove It’s Actually Making You Money with Reme Ekoh, Co-founder of Autegy AI and Anthropic’s Houston Claude Community Leader, and The New Brand Builders: The Future of Influence & Revenue, along with networking and community-building opportunities designed to encourage collaboration beyond the MFTCS.
Inaugural Pulse Awards Recognize Marketing Excellence
The fifth anniversary also marked the debut of the Pulse Awards, AAMA’s new recognition platform celebrating standout marketing campaigns, strategies, creative work, agencies, and organizations.
The inaugural awards honored work across Strategic Campaign Impact; Creative, Digital & Content Excellence; Brand & Strategic Excellence; and Top Marketing Honors.
The 2026 Pulse Award winners included:
- Nicole Taylor, Trinity Health of New England — Best B2C Campaign for A Bracelet, A Voice, A Lifeline: Redefining Postpartum Care
- Apollo Woods, Bigger Than Food Foundation — Best Non-Profit / Cause Campaign for Growing For Good
- Virginia State University — Best Campaign – Enterprise for its Spring 2025 Commencement “Boots On The Ground” campaign, as well as HBCU of the Year
- 72andSunny — Creative Excellence – Content for Champion
- Nicholas Love, Kulur Group — Brand Experience & Strategy Award for The Dope Thinkers Only Conference and Agency of the Year
- Kimmah Lewis, She EmpowHers, Inc. — Strategic Excellence Award for The Build-Before Strategy
The awards were created to provide a platform where exceptional marketing work and the professionals behind it can receive greater industry visibility and recognition. “The Pulse Awards are about recognizing the work, the strategy and the people behind
campaigns that are making an impact,” Ngome said. “There is incredible marketing talent doing meaningful work across agencies, brands, nonprofits, universities and entrepreneurial organizations. We want the Pulse Awards to become a platform where that excellence is documented, celebrated and elevated.” The 2026 Marketing For The Culture Summit was supported by partners including Houston City College, Strategic Financial Group, Houston-Galveston Area Council Gulf Coast Economic Development District, Content Marketing World and Content Marketing Institute, Saint James Iced Tea, Premier America Credit Union, LR Training Solutions, and additional community and industry partners.
As AAMA looks toward 2027, the organization plans to continue expanding the Marketing For The Culture platform through professional development, economic development, community programming, and experiential marketing. 2027 Pulse Awards submissions are scheduled to open December 1, 2026, creating an extended opportunity for agencies, brands, organizations, and marketing professionals to submit their best work for consideration. To learn more, visit the awards priority list. For the complete list of 2026 Pulse Awards winners and information about the 2027 awards, visit ThePulseAwards.org.
About the African American Marketing Association
The African American Marketing Association (AAMA) is a nonprofit membership organization dedicated to educating, empowering, and elevating Black marketers, creatives, and entrepreneurs. Through professional development, community programming, industry partnerships, and signature initiatives including the Business of Marketing Bootcamp, Marketing
For The Culture Summit, and Pulse Awards, AAMA creates opportunities for professionals to
strengthen their skills, expand their networks, and increase their impact within the marketing
industry.
For more information about AAMA, visit AA-MA.org.
