Everyday Edisons inventor James Jenkins has been invited to be a panelist during the National Black MBA Association’s Annual Conference. The plenary session, “Why Didn’t I Think of That,” aims to provide inspiration to those “would-be-entrepreneurs” and to offer opportunities for corporations who may be seeking innovations. The conference will take place in New Orleans the weekend of September 24, and it typically attracts more than 12,000 professionals and over 450 corporations.

James Jenkins and his invention experienced their first big break after being selected for the Emmy award winning show, Everyday Edisons. While some people struggle with a common task and only wish for a solution, James Jenkins took matters into his own hands. As a busy father of three, shopping at the local grocery store or mall always became a cumbersome task when trying to hold several bags – and little hands at the same time. James came to the Everyday Edisons casting call with a handy solution he called the “Bag Mate.” The “Bag Mate” created a hands-free alternative that would be beneficial to both delivery men and shoppers on the go. Everyday Edisons engineers improved upon the prototype, named it Citilug, and it is currently being sold at Duane Reade drugstores. James will be speaking first hand on what it takes to bring an idea to market.