Tarik Black

Tarik Black is a former NBA and international professional basketball player, entrepreneur, investor and speaker whose experiences have reinforced his belief that opportunity, business and community are deeply connected. Throughout his career, he has built relationships across industries, cultures and countries, shaping a perspective that informs his work in business, leadership and community engagement. A native of Memphis, Tennessee, Black attended and played for the University of Memphis before completing his collegiate basketball career at the University of Kansas. He earned a bachelor’s degree in Organizational Leadership and later completed a master’s degree in African and African American Studies, reflecting a longstanding interest in leadership, culture and community development. Black played professionally in the NBA with the Houston Rockets and Los Angeles Lakers, including Kobe Bryant’s final season in Los Angeles. He also spent seven years competing professionally in Israel, Turkey, Russia, Greece, Italy and France. Living and working across multiple countries provided firsthand experience navigating diverse cultures, leadership styles and business environments while broadening his understanding of how relationships, opportunity and community intersect across different settings. A Memphis kid who learned to navigate very different worlds—from Memphis to Kansas, the NBA and abroad—Black brings a perspective that extends beyond athletics. Drawing from experiences in professional sports, international environments, business and community engagement, he speaks on leadership, resilience, identity, entrepreneurship and the importance of building meaningful relationships across cultures, industries and communities. Black’s commitment to community impact began early in his professional career when he founded a youth development nonprofit organization. Today, that organization, Taking Back the Future, is led by his mother, Judith Black Moore. While no longer involved in the organization’s day-to-day operations, he remains an active supporter, helping connect people, resources and opportunities that strengthen its work. His approach reflects a belief that lasting impact is created not only through financial support, but also through building ecosystems that help individuals and organizations grow and succeed. His professional interests include entrepreneurship, investing, business development, leadership and community engagement. Through speaking engagements, business ventures and philanthropic initiatives, Black shares lessons learned through sports, family, business, service and global experiences. Black resides in the Dallas area with his wife, Kennedy, and their three children, Na’im, Kyia and Eliyannah.