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The West Des Moines Chamber of Commerce has opened registration for the sixth annual Athene Beyond Boundaries Business Summit, presented by Chase Bank. The 2026 event will feature Coach Ken Carter and Reggie Love as the keynote speakers.
Coach Ken Carter is a successful businessman, author, and high school basketball coach best known as the real-life inspiration behind the film “Coach Carter,” starring Samuel L. Jackson. The story comes from his time at Richmond High School in California, where he took over a struggling basketball program in 1997. Carter implemented a strict contract requiring players to maintain a 2.3 GPA, attend class, dress professionall,y and demonstrate respectful behavior. When his undefeated, state-playoff-bound team failed to meet those expectations, he famously locked them out of the gym, forcing them to focus on their studies and teamwork. Today, Carter continues to motivate others through his foundation and the Coach Carter Impact Academy, empowering youth to reach their full academic and personal potential.
Reggie Love is a former personal aide to President Barack Obama. A two-sport athlete from Duke University, he played both football and basketball and was on the 2001 NCAA national championship team. Following his time at the White House, Love earned his MBA, authored the New York Times bestseller “Power Forward: My Presidential Education,” and served as editor-at-large for Vice Sports. Today, Love is a senior advisor at Apollo Global Management.
New Self-Help Book “Blame It on the Feel of Pain” About Detangling From Past Pain
Get ready for a transformational journey toward inner peace as indie author Max W. Miller’s new self-help release, Blame It On The Feel Of Pain, inspires readers in a witty, down-to-earth book. Truth and compassion are foretold, using poetic frames called ‘The Wises,’ and the help of opinionated little emojis bringing laughter and thought-provoking conclusions throughout.
The author encourages her readers, whom she also calls partners, to stop wrestling with the hard knocks of the past. She expresses how voluntarily walking back into time precedes trauma healing. Confronting lingering pains is a step toward strength and hope for the future. ‘Blame It’ delves into the author’s life experiences, bringing to life the importance of using Full Circle Moments to find resolutions.
Throughout Blame It On The Feel Of Pain, the reader grows to understand through a unique interpretation that what we are destined to become grows out of the years we’ve already traveled. Further, our future hinges on how we address the pains of the past. Other expressions focus on how desires in the present are carved out of having a clear vision that old, lingering strongholds must be defeated. A history of suffering is a prerequisite for becoming fed up enough to demand enjoyment now!
To Get On the Road To Overcoming Your Trauma See Her Exclusive Interview
Order Her Book Blame It On The Feel Of Pain
“We are proud to support the Athene Beyond Boundaries Business Summit,” said Kristi Kaye Burma, executive vice president and chief human resources officer at Athene. “It is exciting to welcome accomplished leaders like Coach Carter and Reggie Love as keynote speakers. I am sure their stories will inspire everyone in the room.”
“Chase is committed to supporting opportunities that bring people together to learn, grow, and strengthen our community,” said Marcia Treichel, Community Manager for Chase in Iowa. “Events like this offer business leaders – from seasoned professionals to entrepreneurs and small businesses – the power of collaboration, education, and leadership – values that are at the heart of our work in West Des Moines and beyond.”
The Athene Beyond Boundaries Business Summit will be held Tuesday, April 14, and Wednesday, April 15, 2026, at the Sheraton West Des Moines Hotel. This two-day experience is designed to inspire, educate, and empower professionals through dynamic keynote speakers, engaging breakout session,s and networking opportunities. Attendees who register between Dec. 1, 2025, and Feb. 1, 2026, will receive 15% off general admission tickets—valid for both full-event and single-day passes.
“We are thrilled to open registration for the sixth annual Athene Beyond Boundaries Business Summit,” said Katherine Harrington, President and CEO of the West Des Moines Chamber of Commerce. “This summit continues to be a catalyst for growth, connection, and opportunity—bringing together leaders who are shaping the future of business. With our dynamic keynote speakers and transformative sessions, we look forward to empowering attendees to break barriers, build relationships, and create lasting impact across our region and beyond.”
In addition, the award-winning event will feature a pitch competition, where contestants have collectively earned hundreds of thousands of dollars in cash prizes over the past five years. The Summit will also include expert speakers and panelists addressing a wide range of relevant and impactful industry topics, presentation of the Mel Essex Entrepreneur of the Year Award, and a bus excursion presented by Wells Fargo, featuring Black & Bold Specialty Beverages with two additional locations to be announced, among other highlights.
Registration for the event is now open. For more information about the Athene Beyond Boundaries Business Summit, please visit bbbsummit.com
About the Athene Beyond Boundaries Business Summit
The Athene Beyond Boundaries Business Summit was created by national stakeholders to assist with connection building, programming, promotion, training, and provide resources to help businesses grow and prosper. The Summit is owned and operated by the West Des Moines Chamber of Commerce and is supported by several key stakeholders, including Athene, Bank of America, Chase, Wells Fargo, and more. The West Des Moines Chamber of Commerce created The Summit back in 2021, and Athene became the naming rights sponsor in 2022.
About the WDM Chamber of Commerce
Recognized by ACCE (Association of Chambers of Commerce Executives) as one of the top Chambers in the nation, the West Des Moines Chamber of Commerce, established in 1924, is the largest, most active chamber in the Greater Des Moines region. With a focus on strengthening local businesses, boosting economic development, and attracting a top-tier workforce, the Chamber aims to position WDM as the best suburban city in America. Celebrating over a century of excellence, the Chamber boasts a diverse community of over 1000 members, offering something for everyone. Explore the possibilities, learn more about the chamber, and discover how you can get involved in shaping the future of West Des Moines and our entire region at wdmchamber.org
About Athene
Athene is the leading retirement services company with $430 billion of total assets as of September 30, 2025, and operations in the United States, Bermuda, Canada, and Japan. Athene is focused on providing financial security to individuals by offering an attractive suite of retirement income and savings products, and also serves as a solutions provider to corporations. For more information, please visit www.athene.com
For press inquiries, contact Everett Mullican at everett@wdmchamber.org/ (515) 452-0277
Published Author in Her Family
Alexis Donald, MD, a trailblazing African American medical doctor and advocate for empowering young minds, is thrilled to announce the release of her highly anticipated children’s book, Mommy I Want to be a Doctor. Based on her own remarkable journey, this captivating story encourages children to dream big, believe in themselves, and fearlessly pursue their aspirations.
As the first medical doctor in her family, Dr. Alexis has always been driven by a passion for medicine and a desire to make a difference in the world. Her inspiring tale begins with her childhood dreams and takes readers on a heartfelt journey of determination, resilience, and triumph. To Order Her Book Click Here or on Amazon.
To see our exclusive interview with Dr. Donald Tap here.
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nZinga Austin is also the Co-publisher of Our Black News Scoop and Southeast Queens Scoop. The documentary of about 1/2 hr long is getting rave reviews.
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