The Marketing For The Culture Summit marked its fifth year on August 27, 2026, bringing marketing professionals, creatives, entrepreneurs, and industry leaders to Houston for a full day of education, connection, and recognition, hosted by the African American Marketing Association (AAMA).
Held under the theme “Data-Driven Decisions Only,” this year’s summit centered on how marketers use data, technology, cultural insight, and audience intelligence to build stronger brands and drive measurable results. Attendance grew to 130 this year, according to AAMA.
“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.”
A Day Built Around Data and Culture
The day opened with “The State of Marketing, Media, Data & Culture,” featuring Kedric Walls, Senior Account Executive for Business Development, Agency Partnerships at Nielsen, in conversation with communications and media expert Jennifer Moore.
Additional sessions 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.” Networking and community-building sessions rounded out the day.
Inaugural Pulse Awards Honor Marketing Excellence
The fifth anniversary summit also introduced the Pulse Awards, AAMA’s new recognition platform for standout marketing campaigns, strategies, creative work, agencies, and organizations. The inaugural class of winners spanned four categories: Strategic Campaign Impact, Creative Digital & Content Excellence, Brand & Strategic Excellence, and Top Marketing Honors.
The 2026 Pulse Award winners:
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, and 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 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.”
Partners and What’s Next
This year’s summit was supported by Houston City College, Strategic Financial Group, Houston-Galveston Area Council Gulf Coast Economic Development District, Content Marketing World, Content Marketing Institute, Saint James Iced Tea, Premier America Credit Union, LR Training Solutions and additional community and industry partners.
AAMA plans to expand the Marketing For The Culture platform in 2027 through professional development, economic development, community programming and experiential marketing. Submissions for the 2027 Pulse Awards open December 1, 2026.
For the full list of 2026 Pulse Awards winners and details on the 2027 awards, visit ThePulseAwards.org.
