Mr. Tony ForteOfficial Media Kit · 2026

Entrepreneur. Brand Strategist.
Community Uplifter.
Co-Founder & CEO, Coffee Uplifts People.

Keynote Speaker
Brand Strategist
Entrepreneur & CEO
Community Architect
Tony Forte
Tony Forte speaking
About Tony

Built by Intention.
Driven by People.

Tony Forte's entrepreneurial journey didn't begin in a boardroom — it began with a belief that business could be a vehicle for genuine change. That conviction led him to co-found Coffee Uplifts People, a brand that wears its mission in its name.

"When you can do the common things in life in an uncommon way, you will command the attention of the world."

Today, Tony operates at the intersection of brand strategy, entrepreneurship, and thought leadership — guiding founders through the inflection points that separate startups that stall from businesses that scale.

Nike, Inc. — Launch team for Nike NSW apparel (2006)
Co-Founder, WOODstack sneaker boutique (2011)
Founder, Fortell Communications (2016)
Co-Founder & CEO, Coffee Uplifts People (2020)
Distributed: Whole Foods, Amazon, Rouses
Enterprise partners: Pfizer, Goldman Sachs, Atlanta Hawks
Signature Topics

What Tony Speaks On

01
From Startup to Scale
The strategic and mindset shifts required to grow beyond the founding stage — navigating capital, culture, and clarity.
02
Brand as Culture
How the most enduring brands are built on cultural truth, not marketing spend. Coffee Uplifts People as a live case study.
03
Entrepreneurship & Uplift
Building businesses that create genuine value for communities — purpose as competitive advantage.
04
Doing the Common Things, Uncommonly
How CUP rose in the saturated coffee space by identifying and leveraging brand distinction.
Engagement Formats

How Tony Shows Up

Keynote Address
45–60 min for conferences, summits & corporate events
Panel & Moderation
Thought-provoking industry conversations
Workshop & Masterclass
Half or full-day sessions for leadership teams
Podcast & Media
Long-form audio & video conversations
Past Engagements

Stages & Conversations

T.D. Jakes Good Soil Forum
Featured Speaker
HBCU Entrepreneurship Forum
Featured Speaker
National Urban League Annual Conference
Guest Lecturer
HBCU Kings & Queens Conference
Featured Speaker
Nike Hoop Summit
Featured Speaker
NBA Rookie Transition Program
Featured Presenter
Press & Media

As Featured In

Black Enterprise
"How Coffee Uplifts People Is Redefining Community Commerce"
New York Amsterdam News
"CUP opens new outpost in Harlem's Africa Center"
NBC New York
"Coffee Uplifts People, With a Mission to Change an Industry"
ABC — Eat Up NYC
"w/ Marcus Samuelsson"
Tony Forte iconBook Tony

Let's Build
Something Together

Whether you're planning a conference, corporate retreat, or community event — Tony brings energy, insight, and a story that moves people.

Website
mrtonyforte.com
Instagram
@mrtonyforte
LinkedIn
linkedin.com/in/mrtonyforte
Brand
coffeeupliftspeople.com
Tony Forte