Beth Pepper

Chief Operating Officer, Black Promoters Collective

Beth Pepper knows what it takes to keep a festival alive for generations. As Chief Operating Officer of the Black Promoters Collective (BPC), an independently operated live entertainment company named a Top 10 promoter by both Pollstar and Billboard in 2026, she produces two of America’s most celebrated culturally rooted festivals: Jazz in the Gardens in Miami Gardens, Florida, recently named one of the top ten festivals in America by Newsweek, and the Hampton Jazz & Music Festival, a Virginia institution running since 1968 in partnership with the City of Hampton and Hampton University.

Her work sits at the intersection festival organizers navigate every day: honoring a legacy while modernizing everything around it. From talent strategy and ticketing innovation to municipal agreements, university partnerships, and community obligations, Beth has firsthand experience with what it takes to keep heritage events thriving in a changing industry.

At BPC, Beth leads operations, HR, and technology across a portfolio spanning national tours, festivals, and more than 200 concerts and events a year. She came to live entertainment with two decades of Fortune 500 leadership experience at companies including General Electric, Chase, and Bread Financial, alongside more than fifteen years as a promoter and live entrainment consultant. That mix shows up in how she runs events: strong systems, empowered teams, and a practical, hands-on approach to how lean festival staffs can use AI in day-to-day planning and operations.

A sought-after voice in the live events industry, Beth has spoken at FestForums, VenuesNow, and, most recently, the 2026 NIVA conference. A widow, mother of two adult sons, and former Division I athlete, she brings a grounded perspective on leadership, resilience, and growth. She believes the best festivals are built with heart, discipline, and community at the center.