DEITECH 2020
October 26-28, 2020 | VIRTUAL
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KEYNOTES & SPEAKERS
We are proud to present over 30 world-renowned activists, educators, and thought leaders
JANE ELLIOTT
Internationally known teacher, lecturer, diversity trainer...
and recipient of the National Mental Health Association Award for Excellence in Education exposes prejudice and bigotry for what it is, an irrational class system based upon purely arbitrary factors.
Her 1968 debut, “Blue Eyes/Brown Eyes Exercise”, was both controversial and startling, exposing participants to some of the harsh realities experienced as a minority.
and recipient of the National Mental Health Association Award for Excellence in Education exposes prejudice and bigotry for what it is, an irrational class system based upon purely arbitrary factors.
Her 1968 debut, “Blue Eyes/Brown Eyes Exercise”, was both controversial and startling, exposing participants to some of the harsh realities experienced as a minority.
ARLAN HAMILTON
Founder and Managing Partner of Backstage Capital...
Backstage Capital is a venture capital firm dedicated to minimizing funding disparities in tech by investing in high-potential founders who are people of color, women, and/or LGBT. Started from scratch in 2015, Backstage has now raised nearly $12 million and invested in more than 130 startup companies led by underestimated founders.
In 2018, Arlan co-founded Backstage Studio, which launched four accelerator programs, in Los Angeles, Detroit, Philadelphia, and London, UK. In October 2018, Arlan was featured on the cover of Fast Company magazine as the first Black woman non-celebrity to do so. Arlan and Backstage were the subjects of Season 7 of the popular podcast StartUp from Gimlet Media. Arlan is the author of “It’s About Damn Time” and host of the weekly podcast, “Your First Million”.
In 2019, Arlan and her mother, Mrs. Earline Butler-Sims, announced their new scholarship program, which kicked off with Oxford University's first-ever undergraduate scholarship for a Black student, as well as a full-ride scholarship for a Psychology student at Mrs. Sims' alma mater, HBCU Dillard University.
Backstage Capital is a venture capital firm dedicated to minimizing funding disparities in tech by investing in high-potential founders who are people of color, women, and/or LGBT. Started from scratch in 2015, Backstage has now raised nearly $12 million and invested in more than 130 startup companies led by underestimated founders.
In 2018, Arlan co-founded Backstage Studio, which launched four accelerator programs, in Los Angeles, Detroit, Philadelphia, and London, UK. In October 2018, Arlan was featured on the cover of Fast Company magazine as the first Black woman non-celebrity to do so. Arlan and Backstage were the subjects of Season 7 of the popular podcast StartUp from Gimlet Media. Arlan is the author of “It’s About Damn Time” and host of the weekly podcast, “Your First Million”.
In 2019, Arlan and her mother, Mrs. Earline Butler-Sims, announced their new scholarship program, which kicked off with Oxford University's first-ever undergraduate scholarship for a Black student, as well as a full-ride scholarship for a Psychology student at Mrs. Sims' alma mater, HBCU Dillard University.
MINDA HARTS
CEO The Memo...
Minda Harts is the CEO of The Memo LLC, a career development platform for women of color. She is the best-selling author of The Memo: What Women of Color Need To Know To Secure A Seat At The Table.
Minda is an Assistant Professor at NYU Wagner. She has been featured on MSNBC's Morning Joe, Fast Company, The Guardian, and Time Magazine.
Minda frequently speaks at companies like Microsoft, Levi's, Google, and Bloomberg on topics such as Leadership, Managing Diverse Teams and Self-Advocacy.
She also hosts a weekly podcast called Secure The Seat.
Minda Harts is the CEO of The Memo LLC, a career development platform for women of color. She is the best-selling author of The Memo: What Women of Color Need To Know To Secure A Seat At The Table.
Minda is an Assistant Professor at NYU Wagner. She has been featured on MSNBC's Morning Joe, Fast Company, The Guardian, and Time Magazine.
Minda frequently speaks at companies like Microsoft, Levi's, Google, and Bloomberg on topics such as Leadership, Managing Diverse Teams and Self-Advocacy.
She also hosts a weekly podcast called Secure The Seat.
ANGEL RICH
Founder and CEO
The Wealth Factory and #BlackTechMatters...
Creating an algorithm for the stock market to win Goldman Sachs Portfolio Challenge, selling her first marketing plan to Prudential, becoming a founding employee of FINRA, authoring the first ever African American Financial Experience study, inventing the top financial literacy product in the world, and being named the “Next Steve Jobs” by Forbes – all by age 30, Angel Rich has earned the title Wealth Pioneer.
In 2009, Rich became a Global Market Research Analyst for Prudential Financial. While there she conducted over 70 financial behavior studies including the Obama’s Veterans Initiative. During her final year at Prudential, she helped the company’s Annuities division grow from #16 in Service to #4, helping the company save $6 billlion.
After leaving, Rich founded The Wealth Factory with a mission to provide equal access to financial literacy across the world. Today her company designs WealthyLife financial literacy education technology games, curriculum, and fintech products.
The first game released is titled CreditStacker. This match-three game, like Candy Crush, allows users to swap colored pieces representing the 5 major credit types, to pay off debt, achieve a high credit score, and learn from the multiple-choice questions. It has been named the best financial literacy product in the country by The White House, Department of Education, and JP Morgan Chase.
In August 2017, the company launched the full product version of CreditStacker, exceeding 200,000 downloads in 60 countries in 21 languages in two weeks. Google named it one of the Top 10 Apps in the world of 2017.
The Wealth Factory’s goal is to transform financial marketing to financial education while reducing poverty, increasing financially savvy citizens, raising financial product ownership and building better financial ecosystems.
That year, Rich also released her first book – The History of the Black Dollar – with the foreword written by Dr. Maya Rockeymoore. The book takes readers on an economic journey through history to depict the major milestones, historic figures and upcoming leaders.
She was also named Hamptonian of the Year and became a proud member of the 2016 HBCU 30 Under 30, Hampton 40 Under 40 and Google Top 30 Black Female Founders.
In 2018, the United Nations named her one of the Top 100 Most Influential People in the African Diaspora and one of five Icons. In 2019, she released her second book, Black Woman Politics, and was honored as a historic figure at the Sandy Spring Slave Museum. She is most proud to be Vice Chair of the financial literacy council after appointment from the Mayor of DC, designing the financial literacy recommendations for the city.
angel@getwealthylife.com
The Wealth Factory and #BlackTechMatters...
Creating an algorithm for the stock market to win Goldman Sachs Portfolio Challenge, selling her first marketing plan to Prudential, becoming a founding employee of FINRA, authoring the first ever African American Financial Experience study, inventing the top financial literacy product in the world, and being named the “Next Steve Jobs” by Forbes – all by age 30, Angel Rich has earned the title Wealth Pioneer.
In 2009, Rich became a Global Market Research Analyst for Prudential Financial. While there she conducted over 70 financial behavior studies including the Obama’s Veterans Initiative. During her final year at Prudential, she helped the company’s Annuities division grow from #16 in Service to #4, helping the company save $6 billlion.
After leaving, Rich founded The Wealth Factory with a mission to provide equal access to financial literacy across the world. Today her company designs WealthyLife financial literacy education technology games, curriculum, and fintech products.
The first game released is titled CreditStacker. This match-three game, like Candy Crush, allows users to swap colored pieces representing the 5 major credit types, to pay off debt, achieve a high credit score, and learn from the multiple-choice questions. It has been named the best financial literacy product in the country by The White House, Department of Education, and JP Morgan Chase.
In August 2017, the company launched the full product version of CreditStacker, exceeding 200,000 downloads in 60 countries in 21 languages in two weeks. Google named it one of the Top 10 Apps in the world of 2017.
The Wealth Factory’s goal is to transform financial marketing to financial education while reducing poverty, increasing financially savvy citizens, raising financial product ownership and building better financial ecosystems.
That year, Rich also released her first book – The History of the Black Dollar – with the foreword written by Dr. Maya Rockeymoore. The book takes readers on an economic journey through history to depict the major milestones, historic figures and upcoming leaders.
She was also named Hamptonian of the Year and became a proud member of the 2016 HBCU 30 Under 30, Hampton 40 Under 40 and Google Top 30 Black Female Founders.
In 2018, the United Nations named her one of the Top 100 Most Influential People in the African Diaspora and one of five Icons. In 2019, she released her second book, Black Woman Politics, and was honored as a historic figure at the Sandy Spring Slave Museum. She is most proud to be Vice Chair of the financial literacy council after appointment from the Mayor of DC, designing the financial literacy recommendations for the city.
angel@getwealthylife.com
DAVID JOHNS
Executive Director National Black Justice Coalition...
David J. Johns is known for his passion, public policy acumen and fierce advocacy for youth. He is an enthusiast about equity—leveraging his time, talent and treasures to address the needs of individuals and communities often neglected and ignored. A recognized thought leader and social justice champion, David’s career has focused on improving life outcomes and opportunities for Black people.
On September 1, 2017, David Johns began his next life chapter as the executive director of the National Black Justice Coalition (NBJC)—a civil rights organization dedicated to the empowerment of Black lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ) people, including people living with HIV/AIDS. NBJC’s mission is to end racism, homophobia, and LGBTQ bias and stigma.
In 2013, Johns was appointed as the first executive director of the White House Initiative on Educational Excellence for African Americans (Initiative) by President Barack H. Obama and served until the last day of the Obama Administration in January, 2017. The Initiative worked across federal agencies and with partners and communities nationwide to produce a more effective continuum of education and workforce development programs for African American students of all ages. Under his leadership, the Initiative studied the experiences of students—leveraged a partnership with Johnson Publishing Company (EBONY Magazine) to produce a series of African American Educational Summits (AfAmEdSummits) at college campuses throughout the country, where the only experts who sat in front of the White House seal were students as young as elementary school. The recommendations that students made at AfAmEdSummits have been used to improve policies, programs and practices, including curriculum, designed to ensure that students thrive—both in school and in life.
Prior to his White House appointment, Johns was a senior education policy advisor to the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) under the leadership of U.S. Senator Tom Harkin (D-Iowa). Before working for the Senate HELP Committee, Johns served under the leadership of the late U.S. Senator Ted Kennedy (D-MA).
Johns also was a Congressional Black Caucus Foundation Fellow in the office of Congressman Charles Rangel (D-NY). Johns has worked on issues affecting low-income and minority students, neglected youth, early childhood education, and Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). His research as an Andrew W. Mellon Fellow served as a catalyst to identify, disrupt and supplant negative perceptions of black males—both within academia and society. Johns is committed to volunteer services and maintains an active commitment to improve literacy among adolescent minority males.
Johns has been featured as an influential politico and advocate by several publications and outlets, including TheRoot.com, NBC, EBONY and The Washington Post. Johns is a prominent strategist who offers commentary for several media outlets including BET, CNN, EducationPost and TV One.
David is currently pursuing his Ph.D. in sociology and education policy at Columbia University. Johns obtained a master’s degree in sociology and education policy at Teachers College, Columbia University, where he graduated summa cum laude while simultaneously teaching elementary school in New York City. He graduated with honors from Columbia University in 2004 with a triple major in English, creative writing and African American studies.
Johns was named to the Root100 in both 2013 and 2014, selected as a member of the Ebony Power 100 in 2015, and received an early career award from Columbia University, Teachers College in 2016. He has also served as an adjunct professor at American University.
David J. Johns is known for his passion, public policy acumen and fierce advocacy for youth. He is an enthusiast about equity—leveraging his time, talent and treasures to address the needs of individuals and communities often neglected and ignored. A recognized thought leader and social justice champion, David’s career has focused on improving life outcomes and opportunities for Black people.
On September 1, 2017, David Johns began his next life chapter as the executive director of the National Black Justice Coalition (NBJC)—a civil rights organization dedicated to the empowerment of Black lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ) people, including people living with HIV/AIDS. NBJC’s mission is to end racism, homophobia, and LGBTQ bias and stigma.
In 2013, Johns was appointed as the first executive director of the White House Initiative on Educational Excellence for African Americans (Initiative) by President Barack H. Obama and served until the last day of the Obama Administration in January, 2017. The Initiative worked across federal agencies and with partners and communities nationwide to produce a more effective continuum of education and workforce development programs for African American students of all ages. Under his leadership, the Initiative studied the experiences of students—leveraged a partnership with Johnson Publishing Company (EBONY Magazine) to produce a series of African American Educational Summits (AfAmEdSummits) at college campuses throughout the country, where the only experts who sat in front of the White House seal were students as young as elementary school. The recommendations that students made at AfAmEdSummits have been used to improve policies, programs and practices, including curriculum, designed to ensure that students thrive—both in school and in life.
Prior to his White House appointment, Johns was a senior education policy advisor to the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) under the leadership of U.S. Senator Tom Harkin (D-Iowa). Before working for the Senate HELP Committee, Johns served under the leadership of the late U.S. Senator Ted Kennedy (D-MA).
Johns also was a Congressional Black Caucus Foundation Fellow in the office of Congressman Charles Rangel (D-NY). Johns has worked on issues affecting low-income and minority students, neglected youth, early childhood education, and Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). His research as an Andrew W. Mellon Fellow served as a catalyst to identify, disrupt and supplant negative perceptions of black males—both within academia and society. Johns is committed to volunteer services and maintains an active commitment to improve literacy among adolescent minority males.
Johns has been featured as an influential politico and advocate by several publications and outlets, including TheRoot.com, NBC, EBONY and The Washington Post. Johns is a prominent strategist who offers commentary for several media outlets including BET, CNN, EducationPost and TV One.
David is currently pursuing his Ph.D. in sociology and education policy at Columbia University. Johns obtained a master’s degree in sociology and education policy at Teachers College, Columbia University, where he graduated summa cum laude while simultaneously teaching elementary school in New York City. He graduated with honors from Columbia University in 2004 with a triple major in English, creative writing and African American studies.
Johns was named to the Root100 in both 2013 and 2014, selected as a member of the Ebony Power 100 in 2015, and received an early career award from Columbia University, Teachers College in 2016. He has also served as an adjunct professor at American University.
MICHELLE KIM
CEO of Awaken ...
Michelle Kim (pronouns: she/her) is an entrepreneur, writer, and Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) thought leader who believes in creating compassionate space for uncomfortable conversations that go beyond just “checking the box.” She is the CEO of Awaken, a leading provider of interactive DEI workshops, where she has consulted hundreds of organizations and top executives from Fortune 500 to tech giants to spark meaningful change. Michelle has been a lifelong social justice activist and has served on a variety of organizations such as the San Francisco LGBTQ Speakers Bureau, SF Human Rights Commission's Advisory Committee, and LYRIC nonprofit’s Board of Directors.
Her work has appeared on world renowned platforms such as Harvard Business Review, Forbes, The New York Times, Washington Post, and NPR, and she has been named Medium’s Top Writer in Diversity 3 years in a row.
Michelle Kim (pronouns: she/her) is an entrepreneur, writer, and Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) thought leader who believes in creating compassionate space for uncomfortable conversations that go beyond just “checking the box.” She is the CEO of Awaken, a leading provider of interactive DEI workshops, where she has consulted hundreds of organizations and top executives from Fortune 500 to tech giants to spark meaningful change. Michelle has been a lifelong social justice activist and has served on a variety of organizations such as the San Francisco LGBTQ Speakers Bureau, SF Human Rights Commission's Advisory Committee, and LYRIC nonprofit’s Board of Directors.
Her work has appeared on world renowned platforms such as Harvard Business Review, Forbes, The New York Times, Washington Post, and NPR, and she has been named Medium’s Top Writer in Diversity 3 years in a row.
NETTA JENKINS
Co-Founder Advisor of Dipper
Head of Diversity and Inclusion...
Netta Jenkins is an acclaimed author and advisory board member for Betterment, online investment company. Netta that has over 10 years’ experience specializing in Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, Belonging with a background in communications, leadership and behavioral psychology. For 5 years, Netta created and executed strategy as Vice President, Global Inclusion for IAC/InterActiveCorp (NASDAQ: IAC) tech and media brands with her research data driven knowledge. Netta has won multiple awards for her corporate and startup diversity impact. Netta founded Holistic Inclusion Consulting LLC; and offers diversity sessions to companies with a focus on anti-racism, product inclusion, systemic bias globally. As a result Netta was listed in Forbes as one of the top 7 impactful diversity anti-racism consultants in the world.
Netta is the Co-Founder Advisor of Dipper, a data technology platform empowering companies to tackle diversity and inclusion. As well as a digital safe-place that guides professionals of color to a better workplace one review at a time, whether good, bad or indifferent.
Forbes said “Netta Jenkins has a strong understanding of what empowering people in the workplace can do for the growth of the company”. Under Jenkins charge, Google said “IAC is a star example of a company pushing towards gender equality as well as overall cultural equality.” IAC was named one of the 2018 Top Company’s Worldwide for Millennial Women by Mogul and 2017 Profiles in Diversity Journal Excellence Award Winner.
Netta’s book “Self-Advocacy and Confidence for a Fearless Career” empowers women to reach new heights in the workplace around the world. Most recently, she has spoken at the Barclays Center before the Spurs and the Nets played in honor of Becky Hammon (the first female assistant coach in the NBA) on how women are creating change in society. She was a finalist twice for the prestigious “Advocate of the Year” award by Women in Internet Technology.
www.nettajenkins.com
www.holisticinclusion.com
www.ourdipper.com
Head of Diversity and Inclusion...
Netta Jenkins is an acclaimed author and advisory board member for Betterment, online investment company. Netta that has over 10 years’ experience specializing in Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, Belonging with a background in communications, leadership and behavioral psychology. For 5 years, Netta created and executed strategy as Vice President, Global Inclusion for IAC/InterActiveCorp (NASDAQ: IAC) tech and media brands with her research data driven knowledge. Netta has won multiple awards for her corporate and startup diversity impact. Netta founded Holistic Inclusion Consulting LLC; and offers diversity sessions to companies with a focus on anti-racism, product inclusion, systemic bias globally. As a result Netta was listed in Forbes as one of the top 7 impactful diversity anti-racism consultants in the world.
Netta is the Co-Founder Advisor of Dipper, a data technology platform empowering companies to tackle diversity and inclusion. As well as a digital safe-place that guides professionals of color to a better workplace one review at a time, whether good, bad or indifferent.
Forbes said “Netta Jenkins has a strong understanding of what empowering people in the workplace can do for the growth of the company”. Under Jenkins charge, Google said “IAC is a star example of a company pushing towards gender equality as well as overall cultural equality.” IAC was named one of the 2018 Top Company’s Worldwide for Millennial Women by Mogul and 2017 Profiles in Diversity Journal Excellence Award Winner.
Netta’s book “Self-Advocacy and Confidence for a Fearless Career” empowers women to reach new heights in the workplace around the world. Most recently, she has spoken at the Barclays Center before the Spurs and the Nets played in honor of Becky Hammon (the first female assistant coach in the NBA) on how women are creating change in society. She was a finalist twice for the prestigious “Advocate of the Year” award by Women in Internet Technology.
www.nettajenkins.com
www.holisticinclusion.com
www.ourdipper.com
MADISON BUTLER
VP of People + Culture at Sourced Craft Cocktails and COO for Seapine...
She is a New Englander at heart but moved to Austin in 2017. Her work is focused around creating equitable spaces, talent, people development and on-boarding. She is an outspoken advocate for diversity, belonging and the ability to be human at work.
She is a self-proclaimed start-up enthusiast and is passionate about building inclusive teams from the ground up with early stage companies. Madison is committed to helping change the narrative around what it looks like to be “human at work”, and hoping to help alleviate unconscious bias in corporate America.
She is a New Englander at heart but moved to Austin in 2017. Her work is focused around creating equitable spaces, talent, people development and on-boarding. She is an outspoken advocate for diversity, belonging and the ability to be human at work.
She is a self-proclaimed start-up enthusiast and is passionate about building inclusive teams from the ground up with early stage companies. Madison is committed to helping change the narrative around what it looks like to be “human at work”, and hoping to help alleviate unconscious bias in corporate America.
ORIEL DAVIS LYONS
Creative Director at Spotify, Founder One School...
Oriel Davis-Lyons used to be a chef. But, after getting tired of the long hours and intense pressure he decided to get into advertising. He started his career in New Zealand at Colenso BBDO and in 2015 made the move to New York where he worked at R/GA and Droga5 before joining Spotify.
He has won over 100 awards across every major show and his work often uses a non-traditional approach to highlight social issues, like creating a partnership between Amnesty International and AdBlock to protest online censorship or a campaign to put graphic warning labels on boxes of ammunition.
He is also the founder and head of ONE School, a free, online portfolio program for Black creatives and an attempt to address systemic barriers to entry in the advertising industry.
He lives in Brooklyn with his family in an apartment that gets smaller every day.
Oriel Davis-Lyons used to be a chef. But, after getting tired of the long hours and intense pressure he decided to get into advertising. He started his career in New Zealand at Colenso BBDO and in 2015 made the move to New York where he worked at R/GA and Droga5 before joining Spotify.
He has won over 100 awards across every major show and his work often uses a non-traditional approach to highlight social issues, like creating a partnership between Amnesty International and AdBlock to protest online censorship or a campaign to put graphic warning labels on boxes of ammunition.
He is also the founder and head of ONE School, a free, online portfolio program for Black creatives and an attempt to address systemic barriers to entry in the advertising industry.
He lives in Brooklyn with his family in an apartment that gets smaller every day.
ASH COLEMAN
Head of Diversity and Inclusion at Credit Karma...
Ash focuses her efforts within technology on curating belonging and bringing awareness to inclusion strategies for Women, URMs, and lbgtq+ communities. A former chef, Ash crafted her software approach through learnings in hospitality. After over a decade in the kitchen, she cashed in her apron when she began her career in software development, falling back on skills in engineering she acquired as a kid.
An avid fan of matching business needs with technological solutions, you can find her doing her best work on whichever coast is the sunniest. Spending most of her time currently in Diversity in Engineering, Ash also has experience helping teams build out testing practices, formulate Agile processes, and redefine culture. Head of Diversity & Inclusion at Credit Karma ‘slash’ Forever Tester, Ash continues testing and consulting based out of San Francisco.
Ash focuses her efforts within technology on curating belonging and bringing awareness to inclusion strategies for Women, URMs, and lbgtq+ communities. A former chef, Ash crafted her software approach through learnings in hospitality. After over a decade in the kitchen, she cashed in her apron when she began her career in software development, falling back on skills in engineering she acquired as a kid.
An avid fan of matching business needs with technological solutions, you can find her doing her best work on whichever coast is the sunniest. Spending most of her time currently in Diversity in Engineering, Ash also has experience helping teams build out testing practices, formulate Agile processes, and redefine culture. Head of Diversity & Inclusion at Credit Karma ‘slash’ Forever Tester, Ash continues testing and consulting based out of San Francisco.
BRITTANY J. HARRIS
Vice President, Learning & Innovation...
“I am a black woman, mother to a beautiful black boy, a woman of faith, an advocate, a millennial, a product of an HBCU education. I I #LiveInclusively by being an advocate for those who are often forgotten and a voice for those who are most unheard. I #LiveInclusively by curating learning experiences that shift perspectives, change hearts, and empower action.”
Brittany J. Harris is the Vice President of Learning & Innovation at The Winters Group, Inc. In her role, Brittany is responsible for curating and facilitating learning experiences that shift perspectives, change hearts, and empower action in service of equity, justice, and inclusion. Brittany supports non-profit and for-profit organizations in designing high-impact learning and education programs that focus on competency building around diversity, equity, inclusion, and cultural competence and “meeting people where they are” in their journey.
Prior to joining The Winters Group, Brittany held human resources, diversity management, affirmative action compliance, and consulting roles in Washington, DC; Baltimore, MD, and Tampa Bay, FL. A graduate of Howard University, Brittany holds an undergraduate degree in Broadcast Journalism. She also received her Masters in Human Resources Management, with a concentration on Diversity and Inclusion Management, from Georgetown University. Brittany is a certified administrator of the Intercultural Development Inventory® (IDI®).
Brittany currently serves on a curriculum advisory board for Baltimore City Public Schools’ BeMORE Me Initiative, and has previously served on boards for The Florida Diversity Council, Women in Cable Telecommunications Florida, The Pinellas County Urban League Young Professionals, and The Greater Baltimore Leadership Association.
She is a mom to a beautiful boy named Braxton, and currently resides in Baltimore County, MD.
“I am a black woman, mother to a beautiful black boy, a woman of faith, an advocate, a millennial, a product of an HBCU education. I I #LiveInclusively by being an advocate for those who are often forgotten and a voice for those who are most unheard. I #LiveInclusively by curating learning experiences that shift perspectives, change hearts, and empower action.”
Brittany J. Harris is the Vice President of Learning & Innovation at The Winters Group, Inc. In her role, Brittany is responsible for curating and facilitating learning experiences that shift perspectives, change hearts, and empower action in service of equity, justice, and inclusion. Brittany supports non-profit and for-profit organizations in designing high-impact learning and education programs that focus on competency building around diversity, equity, inclusion, and cultural competence and “meeting people where they are” in their journey.
Prior to joining The Winters Group, Brittany held human resources, diversity management, affirmative action compliance, and consulting roles in Washington, DC; Baltimore, MD, and Tampa Bay, FL. A graduate of Howard University, Brittany holds an undergraduate degree in Broadcast Journalism. She also received her Masters in Human Resources Management, with a concentration on Diversity and Inclusion Management, from Georgetown University. Brittany is a certified administrator of the Intercultural Development Inventory® (IDI®).
Brittany currently serves on a curriculum advisory board for Baltimore City Public Schools’ BeMORE Me Initiative, and has previously served on boards for The Florida Diversity Council, Women in Cable Telecommunications Florida, The Pinellas County Urban League Young Professionals, and The Greater Baltimore Leadership Association.
She is a mom to a beautiful boy named Braxton, and currently resides in Baltimore County, MD.
L. MICHELLE SMITH
CEO/Founder No Silos Communications, LLC...
L. Michelle Smith is the CEO/founder of no silos communications llc, the parent company for six media, content, talent development and strategic communications consulting brands, all fueled by tech. She has more than 25 years of experience as an elite, award-winning communicator and integrated marketer at global agencies, her own boutique agencies and a Fortune 10 technology, telecom and media company. She is a certified executive and business coach, principal of NSC Coaching, a professional private practice. She has worked with executives at American Express, Microsoft, Amazon Web Services, AT&T, Lenovo, Zapier, Mary Kay, Warner Media, CNN and more.
She is also the lead trainer at NSC eLearning, a knowledge platform which houses online courses and other digital content for e-learning centered on leadership. Recently an official contributor to Black Enterprise, LMS is also the author of the recently released No Thanks, I’ll Just Include Myself: A Guide to Rockstar Leadership for Women of Color in the Workplace, available on Amazon. She is also the creator, executive producer and host of The Culture Soup Podcast® which is heard in 38 countries and has been consistently at the top of the rankings on Apple Podcasts in the Business/Business News and Business/Entrepreneurship categories. Black Enterprise editors named it one of the top 35 podcasts for 2019, and the show’s episode “The Coaching Corner” has also been added to LinkedIn LIVE, Facebook Watch, Twitter/Periscope and YouTube Live Events.
Previously, she raced to the officer ranks in no time in her career, making vice president before the age of 30. Then she “fell” into entrepreneurship, marking her agency’s million-dollar milestone in year 5. She’s held officer-level positions for about half her career, but most recently answered the call at Fortune 10 company AT&T to build their D&I corporate communications capability from scratch. She did that in two years, then built another innovative, award-winning business model to compliment it, inclusion marketing.
She is one of the most-sought after contemporary keynote speakers, facilitators, panelists and hosts on topics surrounding technology, business and culture, and has been featured across the country on some of the most important stages across multiple industries. She is an adjunct professor of strategic communications at the Texas Christian University Bob Schieffer College of Communications where she also sits on the Board of Visitors. She is also a member of the International Coaching
L. Michelle Smith is the CEO/founder of no silos communications llc, the parent company for six media, content, talent development and strategic communications consulting brands, all fueled by tech. She has more than 25 years of experience as an elite, award-winning communicator and integrated marketer at global agencies, her own boutique agencies and a Fortune 10 technology, telecom and media company. She is a certified executive and business coach, principal of NSC Coaching, a professional private practice. She has worked with executives at American Express, Microsoft, Amazon Web Services, AT&T, Lenovo, Zapier, Mary Kay, Warner Media, CNN and more.
She is also the lead trainer at NSC eLearning, a knowledge platform which houses online courses and other digital content for e-learning centered on leadership. Recently an official contributor to Black Enterprise, LMS is also the author of the recently released No Thanks, I’ll Just Include Myself: A Guide to Rockstar Leadership for Women of Color in the Workplace, available on Amazon. She is also the creator, executive producer and host of The Culture Soup Podcast® which is heard in 38 countries and has been consistently at the top of the rankings on Apple Podcasts in the Business/Business News and Business/Entrepreneurship categories. Black Enterprise editors named it one of the top 35 podcasts for 2019, and the show’s episode “The Coaching Corner” has also been added to LinkedIn LIVE, Facebook Watch, Twitter/Periscope and YouTube Live Events.
Previously, she raced to the officer ranks in no time in her career, making vice president before the age of 30. Then she “fell” into entrepreneurship, marking her agency’s million-dollar milestone in year 5. She’s held officer-level positions for about half her career, but most recently answered the call at Fortune 10 company AT&T to build their D&I corporate communications capability from scratch. She did that in two years, then built another innovative, award-winning business model to compliment it, inclusion marketing.
She is one of the most-sought after contemporary keynote speakers, facilitators, panelists and hosts on topics surrounding technology, business and culture, and has been featured across the country on some of the most important stages across multiple industries. She is an adjunct professor of strategic communications at the Texas Christian University Bob Schieffer College of Communications where she also sits on the Board of Visitors. She is also a member of the International Coaching
ZACH NUNN
CEO/Founder Living Corporate ...
Based out of Houston, TX, Zach Nunn is a “Big 4” Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion consultant and thought leader, with over 9 years of experience leading cultural and organizational transformation in a variety of industries. As the CEO and founder of Living Corporate, LLC, Zach amplifies and centers marginalized voices at work by interviewing Black and brown executives, activists, educators, elected officials and influencers which provides practical insight and that reaches over 25 thousand majority Black and brown Millennial and Generation-X listeners a month. Despite all this work, his biggest passions are his wife, Candis and daughter, Emory.
Based out of Houston, TX, Zach Nunn is a “Big 4” Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion consultant and thought leader, with over 9 years of experience leading cultural and organizational transformation in a variety of industries. As the CEO and founder of Living Corporate, LLC, Zach amplifies and centers marginalized voices at work by interviewing Black and brown executives, activists, educators, elected officials and influencers which provides practical insight and that reaches over 25 thousand majority Black and brown Millennial and Generation-X listeners a month. Despite all this work, his biggest passions are his wife, Candis and daughter, Emory.
PAMELA FULLER
Thought Leader, Inclusion & Bias FranklinCovey...
Pamela’s work has always been tied to issues of inclusion with an emphasis on exploring the impacts of bias and pushing just a bit, to make progress. For more than 15 years, Pamela has worked in both the public and private sector supporting clients and solving complex problems. She currently serves as FranklinCovey's Thought Leader, Inclusion and Bias as well as a Global Client Partner responsible for supporting some of the organization’s most strategic accounts.
Her solutions oriented and client-centric approach has resulted in unique solutions that exceed client expectations and achieve results. Pamela works with clients to match the right solution to organizational strategic priorities and is particularly adept at designing tailored, competency-based programs to solve her client's most pressing needs. Through this work, Pamela has designed programs that have made impact on hundreds of thousands of participants to include FranklinCovey’s newest offering, Unconscious Bias: Understanding Bias to Unleash Potential.
Prior to her current role, Pamela served as an EEO & Diversity Analyst and Trainer where she conceived and implemented proactive diversity programs to include human capital planning, training on unconscious bias and microaggressions, and statistical workforce analysis. She also served the non-profit community for nearly a decade executing marketing, communications, special events and fundraising strategies.
She is a highly sought after consultant, speaker and strategist, having addressed leaders across the world on leadership topics to include unconscious bias, high potential leadership and building an inclusive and effective culture to include the United Nations System, US federal government and the Fortune 500.
Pamela’s work has always been tied to issues of inclusion with an emphasis on exploring the impacts of bias and pushing just a bit, to make progress. For more than 15 years, Pamela has worked in both the public and private sector supporting clients and solving complex problems. She currently serves as FranklinCovey's Thought Leader, Inclusion and Bias as well as a Global Client Partner responsible for supporting some of the organization’s most strategic accounts.
Her solutions oriented and client-centric approach has resulted in unique solutions that exceed client expectations and achieve results. Pamela works with clients to match the right solution to organizational strategic priorities and is particularly adept at designing tailored, competency-based programs to solve her client's most pressing needs. Through this work, Pamela has designed programs that have made impact on hundreds of thousands of participants to include FranklinCovey’s newest offering, Unconscious Bias: Understanding Bias to Unleash Potential.
Prior to her current role, Pamela served as an EEO & Diversity Analyst and Trainer where she conceived and implemented proactive diversity programs to include human capital planning, training on unconscious bias and microaggressions, and statistical workforce analysis. She also served the non-profit community for nearly a decade executing marketing, communications, special events and fundraising strategies.
She is a highly sought after consultant, speaker and strategist, having addressed leaders across the world on leadership topics to include unconscious bias, high potential leadership and building an inclusive and effective culture to include the United Nations System, US federal government and the Fortune 500.
STAR CARTER
Co-Founder, COO and General Counsel, Kanarys...
Starlett (Star) Carter (she/her/hers) is an advocate for diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) as the Chief Operating Officer, General Counsel, and Co-founder of Kanarys, Inc. Kanarys is an online platform that utilizes data-based approaches to better understand the challenges and opportunities facing organizations enabling them to build more inclusive workplace cultures. Kanarys has been covered by Forbes, CNBC, Yahoo! News, AfroTech, Dallas Business Journal, Business Insider and HR.com.
Prior to joining Kanarys, Star served as an associate counsel at Hudson Advisors, L.P., a globally integrated asset manager, and worked at two large international law firms, serving as counsel at Sidley Austin LLP and as senior associate at Weil Gotshal & Manges LLP. Committed to giving back to her community, Star serves as the immediate past chairwoman of the board of directors for Legal Aid of Northwest Texas, a non-profit organization that provides free civil legal services to eligible low-income residents in Texas.
Starlett received her Juris Doctorate from Harvard Law School and a Bachelor of Business Administration with honors from the University of Texas at Austin. She resides in Dallas, Texas, with her husband and two children.
Starlett (Star) Carter (she/her/hers) is an advocate for diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) as the Chief Operating Officer, General Counsel, and Co-founder of Kanarys, Inc. Kanarys is an online platform that utilizes data-based approaches to better understand the challenges and opportunities facing organizations enabling them to build more inclusive workplace cultures. Kanarys has been covered by Forbes, CNBC, Yahoo! News, AfroTech, Dallas Business Journal, Business Insider and HR.com.
Prior to joining Kanarys, Star served as an associate counsel at Hudson Advisors, L.P., a globally integrated asset manager, and worked at two large international law firms, serving as counsel at Sidley Austin LLP and as senior associate at Weil Gotshal & Manges LLP. Committed to giving back to her community, Star serves as the immediate past chairwoman of the board of directors for Legal Aid of Northwest Texas, a non-profit organization that provides free civil legal services to eligible low-income residents in Texas.
Starlett received her Juris Doctorate from Harvard Law School and a Bachelor of Business Administration with honors from the University of Texas at Austin. She resides in Dallas, Texas, with her husband and two children.
BRITTANI BAKER
Co-founder & CEO of AfroHub Inc...
Brittani Baker is the Co-founder & CEO of AfroHub Inc, a social enterprise technology platform that aims to bridge connections between corporations and Black suppliers in a more meaningful way.
As a passionate thought leader and advocate of supporting the global unification for those of African descent, Brittani’s mission is simple, “Create open access channels for Africans and the Diaspora to connect in business.”
Her unique approach is to use the disruptiveness in tech to hack social equity for Black business professionals has earned her a reputation as a results driven change maker helping corporations diversify their supply chain and partnerships with Black business at its core.
Today, Brittani leads AfroHub’s vision & partnership strategy aligning diversity and the intersectionality in corporate America.
Brittani Baker is the Co-founder & CEO of AfroHub Inc, a social enterprise technology platform that aims to bridge connections between corporations and Black suppliers in a more meaningful way.
As a passionate thought leader and advocate of supporting the global unification for those of African descent, Brittani’s mission is simple, “Create open access channels for Africans and the Diaspora to connect in business.”
Her unique approach is to use the disruptiveness in tech to hack social equity for Black business professionals has earned her a reputation as a results driven change maker helping corporations diversify their supply chain and partnerships with Black business at its core.
Today, Brittani leads AfroHub’s vision & partnership strategy aligning diversity and the intersectionality in corporate America.
MAC CONWELL II
Manager, Seed Portfolio Development ...
Mac’s primary role at TEDCO is to find, help make investment decisions on, and help build Maryland-based startups. Mac works closely with many TEDCO portfolio companies to help them secure customers, partnerships, and funding. Mac also conducts extensive outreach to all of the tech communities and ecosystems in Maryland and does a lot of work supporting founders who consider themselves to be economically or socially disadvantaged. In 2017 Mac helped launch the Minority Business Pre-seed Fund and what was later transitioned to the Builder Fund.
Mac uses the knowledge he gained working in both public and private sectors as a software engineer and CEO to help startups be successful. A Baltimore native, Mac joined a co-op program with the Department of Defense in 2006 and obtained a top-secret security clearance. He went on to become a government contractor working in software development for several companies, including Northrop Grumman and Booz Allen Hamilton.
In October 2009, he co-founded his first tech startup, Given.to, which completed two accelerators, Accelerate Baltimore and NewMe Accelerator. Mac was later named entrepreneur-in-residence at NewMe. Mac and his team sold the technology in 2014. His next venture, RedBerry, was accepted into the Dreamit Ventures Accelerator in Philadelphia.
Mac has been a guest on Huffington Post Live several times and his companies have been featured in many media outlets such as USA Today, Washington Post, BET, CNN Headline News, and Black Enterprise. He attended Morgan State University, majoring in Computer Science.
Mac’s primary role at TEDCO is to find, help make investment decisions on, and help build Maryland-based startups. Mac works closely with many TEDCO portfolio companies to help them secure customers, partnerships, and funding. Mac also conducts extensive outreach to all of the tech communities and ecosystems in Maryland and does a lot of work supporting founders who consider themselves to be economically or socially disadvantaged. In 2017 Mac helped launch the Minority Business Pre-seed Fund and what was later transitioned to the Builder Fund.
Mac uses the knowledge he gained working in both public and private sectors as a software engineer and CEO to help startups be successful. A Baltimore native, Mac joined a co-op program with the Department of Defense in 2006 and obtained a top-secret security clearance. He went on to become a government contractor working in software development for several companies, including Northrop Grumman and Booz Allen Hamilton.
In October 2009, he co-founded his first tech startup, Given.to, which completed two accelerators, Accelerate Baltimore and NewMe Accelerator. Mac was later named entrepreneur-in-residence at NewMe. Mac and his team sold the technology in 2014. His next venture, RedBerry, was accepted into the Dreamit Ventures Accelerator in Philadelphia.
Mac has been a guest on Huffington Post Live several times and his companies have been featured in many media outlets such as USA Today, Washington Post, BET, CNN Headline News, and Black Enterprise. He attended Morgan State University, majoring in Computer Science.
STACY KIRK
CEO QualityWorks Consulting Group and Posture...
As a Female Tech Founder, Digital Transformation Leader, and keynote speaker, Stacy Kirk has championed for quality and process innovation in software development for over 20 years. She has led global IT teams to deliver cutting-edge web, mobile, and enterprise applications in the entertainment, security, finance, healthcare, and telecom industries. In only a few years, Stacy scaled her software solutions consulting firm, QualityWorks Consulting Group, into an international multimillion-dollar leader in the delivery of quality digital solutions through innovations in test transformation, product development, and agile project leadership. She is the founder and CEO of Posture, a HIPAA Security and Privacy Officer-as-a-Service that quickly builds and maintains a strong security and privacy program through expert advisory, compliance automation, and intelligence.
As a Female Tech Founder, Digital Transformation Leader, and keynote speaker, Stacy Kirk has championed for quality and process innovation in software development for over 20 years. She has led global IT teams to deliver cutting-edge web, mobile, and enterprise applications in the entertainment, security, finance, healthcare, and telecom industries. In only a few years, Stacy scaled her software solutions consulting firm, QualityWorks Consulting Group, into an international multimillion-dollar leader in the delivery of quality digital solutions through innovations in test transformation, product development, and agile project leadership. She is the founder and CEO of Posture, a HIPAA Security and Privacy Officer-as-a-Service that quickly builds and maintains a strong security and privacy program through expert advisory, compliance automation, and intelligence.
DENISE REED LAMOREAUX
Global Chief Diversity Officer at Atos...
She has a proven track record of producing extraordinary results. In her role, Denise strives to
• Drive efforts to increase diversity of staff members through education programming, coaching, mentoring and recruitment/retention strategies, while fostering an inclusive workplace that values, and is sensitive to, the diversity of our staff
• Interface with legal, communications, marketing, and HR teams to directly impact employee perceptions and corporate culture
• Facilitate, moderate, and evaluate corporate programs to provide transformational experiences
• Liaise with recruiting and internal first to hire, promote, and retain key talent from all representative groups
• Lead both operational and strategic activities for internal and external audiences to affect change and impact decisions in recruiting, hiring, retention, and recognition
• Collaborate with Learning and Development to support employee success by offering programs, services, individual assistance and resources designed to enhance the diverse development of 120,000 + global resources in 73 countries
• Position Atos as an ethical, diverse, and inclusive employer of choice
Based in Rochester, New York, Denise has been involved in diversity and learning-related endeavors for 30 + years. Her career has encompassed Secondary Education, Professional Leadership Coaching, Leadership, and Instructing at both the University of Rochester’s Simon Business School and Monroe Community College’s Corporate College program.
Denise led and participated in the development and delivery of programs that produced winning results:
• Top 50 Diversity Stars by National Diversity Council
• Parity.org’s Best Employers For Women’s Advancement List
• TEDx: The 511 On The Generations
• Brandon Hall Bronze for Women Who Succeed
• Women In IT Award for Diversity Initiative Of The Year (2 years in a row)
• Times Top 50 List Of Best Employers For Women (2 years in a row)
• #41 on the UK’s Stonewall Index for LGBT+
• Brandon Hall Bronze Award for Diversity and Inclusion Programming
• The Prince’s Trust “Best Place For Race” designation
• VERCIDA’s Top 10 List for Gender & Top 5 List for Generations
• Atos HR Honors Award For NAO Diversity Programming
• Atos Bronze Award for Exemplary Performance
• Brandon Hall Silver Award for Best Blended Learning Solution
• Corp U Award for Most Innovative Idea Implementation Program
• HP Top Ten Happening
• HP’s HR Heroes Award for excellence in video learning
• BELC’s Educator Award for career development programs
Publications featuring Denise’s work:
• 2020 Diversity in the Workplace Report
• How Atos uses succession planning to improve gender balance
• Dialogue Q2 2020 ‘s publication, The Inclusion Imperative
• SUNY Geneseo’s Scene Spring 2020 Magazine
• If unconscious bias training doesn’t work, what’s the alternative?
She has a proven track record of producing extraordinary results. In her role, Denise strives to
• Drive efforts to increase diversity of staff members through education programming, coaching, mentoring and recruitment/retention strategies, while fostering an inclusive workplace that values, and is sensitive to, the diversity of our staff
• Interface with legal, communications, marketing, and HR teams to directly impact employee perceptions and corporate culture
• Facilitate, moderate, and evaluate corporate programs to provide transformational experiences
• Liaise with recruiting and internal first to hire, promote, and retain key talent from all representative groups
• Lead both operational and strategic activities for internal and external audiences to affect change and impact decisions in recruiting, hiring, retention, and recognition
• Collaborate with Learning and Development to support employee success by offering programs, services, individual assistance and resources designed to enhance the diverse development of 120,000 + global resources in 73 countries
• Position Atos as an ethical, diverse, and inclusive employer of choice
Based in Rochester, New York, Denise has been involved in diversity and learning-related endeavors for 30 + years. Her career has encompassed Secondary Education, Professional Leadership Coaching, Leadership, and Instructing at both the University of Rochester’s Simon Business School and Monroe Community College’s Corporate College program.
Denise led and participated in the development and delivery of programs that produced winning results:
• Top 50 Diversity Stars by National Diversity Council
• Parity.org’s Best Employers For Women’s Advancement List
• TEDx: The 511 On The Generations
• Brandon Hall Bronze for Women Who Succeed
• Women In IT Award for Diversity Initiative Of The Year (2 years in a row)
• Times Top 50 List Of Best Employers For Women (2 years in a row)
• #41 on the UK’s Stonewall Index for LGBT+
• Brandon Hall Bronze Award for Diversity and Inclusion Programming
• The Prince’s Trust “Best Place For Race” designation
• VERCIDA’s Top 10 List for Gender & Top 5 List for Generations
• Atos HR Honors Award For NAO Diversity Programming
• Atos Bronze Award for Exemplary Performance
• Brandon Hall Silver Award for Best Blended Learning Solution
• Corp U Award for Most Innovative Idea Implementation Program
• HP Top Ten Happening
• HP’s HR Heroes Award for excellence in video learning
• BELC’s Educator Award for career development programs
Publications featuring Denise’s work:
• 2020 Diversity in the Workplace Report
• How Atos uses succession planning to improve gender balance
• Dialogue Q2 2020 ‘s publication, The Inclusion Imperative
• SUNY Geneseo’s Scene Spring 2020 Magazine
• If unconscious bias training doesn’t work, what’s the alternative?
JEREMY EVANS SMITH
Founder and CEO at Ascending...
Jeremy Evans-Smith (he/him) is a People Ops Leader who has spent the last 8 years working in organizational Equity, Diversity & Inclusion. His first few years included leading University programs promoting equity & access for underrepresented university scholars. In 2015 Jeremy moved from his hometown of Grand Rapids, Michigan and relocated to Oakland, California where he could join a venture-backed startup.*
*Over the past five years, Jeremy has worked at the intersection of DEI & Talent for orgs like Google (3 different offers), Facebook, SeeSaw, Better VC & most-recently, Abstract where he was the in-house Top of Funnel Recruiting expert helping lead the team to an over 30%-combined Black & Latinx talent-representation before founding his own startup **[Ascending](http://joinascending.com/)**.*
*Ascending's vision is to enable DEI confidence for teams. It is the culmination of his own experiences as a Black American man in Tech. Through painful challenges of overt-workplace racism, discrimination, loneliness & voicelessness, Jeremy has resolved to draw a clear line in the sand. A line which enables clear pathways towards seeing, hearing, believing & supporting Black + other underrepresented folx. Jeremy is particularly passionate about helping orgs discover personalized avenues to be more anti-racist in their culture & hiring processes.*
*Jeremy is a proud Oakland resident, professional DJ & avid cyclist.
Connect with him **@techblackswan**, [/**in/techblackswan**](http://linkedin.com/in/techblackswan) or via [**techblackswan.me](http://techblackswan.me/).***
Jeremy Evans-Smith (he/him) is a People Ops Leader who has spent the last 8 years working in organizational Equity, Diversity & Inclusion. His first few years included leading University programs promoting equity & access for underrepresented university scholars. In 2015 Jeremy moved from his hometown of Grand Rapids, Michigan and relocated to Oakland, California where he could join a venture-backed startup.*
*Over the past five years, Jeremy has worked at the intersection of DEI & Talent for orgs like Google (3 different offers), Facebook, SeeSaw, Better VC & most-recently, Abstract where he was the in-house Top of Funnel Recruiting expert helping lead the team to an over 30%-combined Black & Latinx talent-representation before founding his own startup **[Ascending](http://joinascending.com/)**.*
*Ascending's vision is to enable DEI confidence for teams. It is the culmination of his own experiences as a Black American man in Tech. Through painful challenges of overt-workplace racism, discrimination, loneliness & voicelessness, Jeremy has resolved to draw a clear line in the sand. A line which enables clear pathways towards seeing, hearing, believing & supporting Black + other underrepresented folx. Jeremy is particularly passionate about helping orgs discover personalized avenues to be more anti-racist in their culture & hiring processes.*
*Jeremy is a proud Oakland resident, professional DJ & avid cyclist.
Connect with him **@techblackswan**, [/**in/techblackswan**](http://linkedin.com/in/techblackswan) or via [**techblackswan.me](http://techblackswan.me/).***
ELKIN NICOLE
DEI Consultant and Co-Host- Black in the Days Podcast...
Elkin is the DEI consultant for Group Victory, LLC and co-host of Black In The Days Podcast, a podcast that celebrates the diversity and the complexity of the black experience. Elkin has over 15 years of experience in human services and education. Elkin is passionate about the integration of diversity, equity and inclusion practices and works to create programs and systems that operate through the lens of DEI. Elkin’s most recent projects include serving as executive producer of a mini documentary titled Faded Conversation: Bringing Black Mental Health to the Forefront. She currently sits on Nova Southeastern University’s medical school Diversity Committee and advises on best practices as it relates to health equity, pipeline development and workplace culture. Elkin is a proud Haitian American, loves podcast, a collector of quotes and loves traveling.
Elkin is the DEI consultant for Group Victory, LLC and co-host of Black In The Days Podcast, a podcast that celebrates the diversity and the complexity of the black experience. Elkin has over 15 years of experience in human services and education. Elkin is passionate about the integration of diversity, equity and inclusion practices and works to create programs and systems that operate through the lens of DEI. Elkin’s most recent projects include serving as executive producer of a mini documentary titled Faded Conversation: Bringing Black Mental Health to the Forefront. She currently sits on Nova Southeastern University’s medical school Diversity Committee and advises on best practices as it relates to health equity, pipeline development and workplace culture. Elkin is a proud Haitian American, loves podcast, a collector of quotes and loves traveling.
ROBIN WILLIAMS
BCBA and Educator...
Robin is an accomplished BCBA, who has written and developed a variety of trainings for teachers, parents and staff and has also presented at local and international education and behavior conferences.
She has built her own private practice over the last 16 years and brings 20+ years of experience working with children and adults with severe developmental disabilities and intensive behavioral disorders. She currently consults with private clients, local correctional facilities, behavior focused group homes and schools, providing direct ABA services to families/caregivers and professional development to staff.
Robin’s interests include parent and teacher training and efficacy, supporting individuals who have experienced trauma, and social justice and equity. She is a proud Florida native who loves running, yoga, the beach, spicy Thai food, and Outkast.
Robin is an accomplished BCBA, who has written and developed a variety of trainings for teachers, parents and staff and has also presented at local and international education and behavior conferences.
She has built her own private practice over the last 16 years and brings 20+ years of experience working with children and adults with severe developmental disabilities and intensive behavioral disorders. She currently consults with private clients, local correctional facilities, behavior focused group homes and schools, providing direct ABA services to families/caregivers and professional development to staff.
Robin’s interests include parent and teacher training and efficacy, supporting individuals who have experienced trauma, and social justice and equity. She is a proud Florida native who loves running, yoga, the beach, spicy Thai food, and Outkast.
SACHA THOMPSON
Founder
The Equity Equation, LLC...
The Equity Equation is a diversity coaching and consulting firm based in the Washington, DC area. With nearly 20 years of experience within the education, non-profit and tech industries, Sacha has seen the challenges faced by executives with good intentions struggling to make decisions around diversity. Where executives are motivated to do the ‘right thing’ when it comes to DEI but may be hindered by their own biases and fears. She’s also seen, and experienced, the damage endured by BIPOC employees when they are not centered/valued in their company’s DEI efforts.
Sacha’s work is about removing barriers or providing support in order to get to a place of equality. She helps executives and leaders have that important dialogue, and coach them to the necessary, long-term changes that develop institutional cultures of DEI.
Sacha received her bachelor’s degree in Sociology concentrating on Cultural Diversity & Ethnicity and a Masters in Educational Policy, Planning, and Leadership from The College of William and Mary. Also, she has acquired her Masters of Business Administration from Johns Hopkins University where she focused on management and marketing.
The Equity Equation, LLC...
The Equity Equation is a diversity coaching and consulting firm based in the Washington, DC area. With nearly 20 years of experience within the education, non-profit and tech industries, Sacha has seen the challenges faced by executives with good intentions struggling to make decisions around diversity. Where executives are motivated to do the ‘right thing’ when it comes to DEI but may be hindered by their own biases and fears. She’s also seen, and experienced, the damage endured by BIPOC employees when they are not centered/valued in their company’s DEI efforts.
Sacha’s work is about removing barriers or providing support in order to get to a place of equality. She helps executives and leaders have that important dialogue, and coach them to the necessary, long-term changes that develop institutional cultures of DEI.
Sacha received her bachelor’s degree in Sociology concentrating on Cultural Diversity & Ethnicity and a Masters in Educational Policy, Planning, and Leadership from The College of William and Mary. Also, she has acquired her Masters of Business Administration from Johns Hopkins University where she focused on management and marketing.
ANDREA G. TATUM
Sr. Director, Corporate Equity Engagement at Catalyst Inc
DEI Careers Coach...
Throughout her career, Andrea has been focused on helping companies create inclusive cultures that are open and welcoming for everyone. Her passion and advocacy for Diversity and Inclusion was ignited early in her career in non-profit arts marketing. She was named one of Rolling Out Magazine’s Most Influential Women in Atlanta for her initiatives focused on cultivating diverse audiences. After 10 years in the arts, Andrea pivoted to tech where she grew her career as a product marketer, a certified project manager, and international events professional. She joined Tableau Software to oversee a portfolio of the company’s events and was the team lead for Diversity & Inclusion at Tableau’s annual 20000-person conference. Andrea became Tableau's Sr. Manager of Inclusion where she scaled employee engagement, developed strategies for diversity recruitment, and developed inclusive leadership training among many other accomplishments. Andrea recently became the Sr. Director of Corporate Equity Engagement at Catalyst Inc. and launched her DEI career coaching services to help Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion leaders of tomorrow align their passion with purpose.
Andreagtatum.com
DEI Careers Coach...
Throughout her career, Andrea has been focused on helping companies create inclusive cultures that are open and welcoming for everyone. Her passion and advocacy for Diversity and Inclusion was ignited early in her career in non-profit arts marketing. She was named one of Rolling Out Magazine’s Most Influential Women in Atlanta for her initiatives focused on cultivating diverse audiences. After 10 years in the arts, Andrea pivoted to tech where she grew her career as a product marketer, a certified project manager, and international events professional. She joined Tableau Software to oversee a portfolio of the company’s events and was the team lead for Diversity & Inclusion at Tableau’s annual 20000-person conference. Andrea became Tableau's Sr. Manager of Inclusion where she scaled employee engagement, developed strategies for diversity recruitment, and developed inclusive leadership training among many other accomplishments. Andrea recently became the Sr. Director of Corporate Equity Engagement at Catalyst Inc. and launched her DEI career coaching services to help Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion leaders of tomorrow align their passion with purpose.
Andreagtatum.com
AAISHA JOSEPH
C-suite Executive Assistant & DEI Consultant...
who has supported, advised and provided expert consultation to senior executives, including CEOs and Founders, across a span of industries both in the for-profit and non-profit sectors.
She is also a Diversity, Inclusion and Equity Specialist and Champion; providing thought leadership and consultation on issues of race and inequity as it pertains to the workplace. Moreover, she serves a personal coach - guiding individuals through personal battles with racism and privilege.
Aaisha is passionate about corporate equity and standing up for those who have yet to find the way to stand up for themselves. She enjoys writing and within it, lending her voice to the voiceless: her unapologetic and authentic musings about Corporate America has earned millions of views on social media. Aaisha is a member of the Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir, a 270-voice ensemble directed by songwriter Carol Cymbala and which has won six Grammy Awards.
She holds a bachelor's degree in Business Administration from York College.
who has supported, advised and provided expert consultation to senior executives, including CEOs and Founders, across a span of industries both in the for-profit and non-profit sectors.
She is also a Diversity, Inclusion and Equity Specialist and Champion; providing thought leadership and consultation on issues of race and inequity as it pertains to the workplace. Moreover, she serves a personal coach - guiding individuals through personal battles with racism and privilege.
Aaisha is passionate about corporate equity and standing up for those who have yet to find the way to stand up for themselves. She enjoys writing and within it, lending her voice to the voiceless: her unapologetic and authentic musings about Corporate America has earned millions of views on social media. Aaisha is a member of the Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir, a 270-voice ensemble directed by songwriter Carol Cymbala and which has won six Grammy Awards.
She holds a bachelor's degree in Business Administration from York College.
SCHEDULE
Three Days of Powerful Thought Leadership, Education, and Strategic Takeaways
26th OCTOBER 2020
7 PM EDT -
9 PM EDT
4 PM PDT -
6 PM PDT
30 DAY ACCESS POST EVENT
7:00 PM - 7:15 PM
HOST WELCOME
7:15 PM - 7:45 PM
7:45 PM - 9:00 PM
NETWORKING
GAMES AND ACTIVITIES
WATCH PARTY
JANE ELLIOTT "The Eye of the Storm"
27th OCTOBER 2020
10 AM EDT -
6 PM EDT
7 AM PDT -
3 PM PDT
30 DAY ACCESS POST EVENT
10:00 AM - 10:30 AM
YOGA
10:30 AM - 10:55 AM
BREAKFAST
MORNING NETWORKING
11:00 AM - 11:15 AM
WELCOME AND ORIENTATION
11:15 AM - 12:45 PM
KEYNOTE 1
JANE ELLIOTT
The Anatomy of Prejudice
12:45 PM - 1:00 PM
BREAK / NETWORKING
1:00 PM - 1:45 PM
1:45 PM - 2:15 PM
LUNCH / NETWORKING
2:15 AM - 3:15 PM
KEYNOTE 2
ANGEL RICH
The State of Black Techquity
3:15 PM - 4:00 PM
S2-1
MICHELLE KIM
Fireside Chat with Michelle Kim on Allyship, Intersectionality, and Anti-Racism
S2-2
ORIEL DAVIS LYONS
Fireside Chat: Breaking Down Barriers of Inclusion- "One School"
S2-3
NETTA JENKINS
Using my privilege to drive transformational change in the workplace
S2-4
NICOLE TINSON / MICHELLE CAMPBELL
The Pipeline Strategy: Authentic recruitment and engagement with the community
S2-5
CLARA LANDRY
"The Rise of the J.E.D.I (c).: A reimagining of the DEI profession, purpose and impact cross industry"
4:00 PM - 4:15 PM
NETWORKING BREAK
S3-1
MADISON BUTLER / REESE BYRNE
Code-Switching is not trying to fit into white culture, It's Surviving it
4:15 PM - 5:00 PM
S3-2
PAMELA JASPER
PIVOT! From DI to AI - How to Leverage your DI expertise to participate in and drive the Artificial Intelligence Revolution
S3-3
L. MICHELLE SMITH
The Case for Culture: Why including Women of Color is Great for Tech
S3-5
STAR CARTER
How AI is solving for DEI
S3-4
Panel Discussion
STACY KIRK / MAC CONWELL / BRITTANI BAKER
AAISHA JOSEPH
(Moderator)
The Pivot: Helping Black Business Understand the Need to Enter Tech
S3-6
TOBY EBUNGA
News Flash! No company is doing diversity well.
5:00 PM - 6:00 PM
KEYNOTE 3
ARLAN HAMILTON
Turn Being Underestimated Into Your Greatest Advantage
6:00 PM - 6:05 PM
REMARKS
S1-4
ASH COLEMAN
Diversity in Tech
S1-3
ANDREA G. TATUM / SACHA THOMPSON
Who's Job is DEI, When Everyone's Job is DEI?
S1-2
ZACH NUNN / PAMELA FULLER / BRITTANY J. HARRIS
Beyond Diversity: The Need for DISRUPTIVE Equity, Inclusion, and Justice
S1-1
DAVID JOHNS
The Importance of Intersectional Social Justice, Ensuring That AllBlackLivesMatter
28th OCTOBER 2020
11 AM EDT -
3 PM EDT
8 AM PDT -
12 PM PDT
30 DAY ACCESS POST EVENT
11:00 AM - 12:00 PM
W1-1
DENISE REED LAMOREAUX
Even Performance Reviews Need Performance Reviews
W1-2
SHEREEN DANIELS
What it really takes to influence your CEO to act on anti-Black racism
W1-3
JEREMY EVANS SMITH
Building Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Confidence for Teams
12:00 PM - 1:00 PM
KEYNOTE W1
KATHY GILBERT
An Unconventional Path to Leadership...building Inclusion in a Tech-Automotive Industry lessons learned along the way
1:00 PM - 1:30 PM
LUNCH
1:30 PM - 2:30 PM
W3-1
ELKIN NICOLE / ROBIN WILLIAMS
Securing your Squad: Surviving DEI Work
W3-2
STEFAN KOLLENBERG
Removing the burden of D&I work from those who are most marginalized
W3-3
MIKE ROBERTS
Apprenticeships: Creating a talent pipeline of overlooked and undefeated
2:30 PM - 3:15 PM
W4-1
3:15 PM - 3:20 PM
CLOSING REMARKS
MINDA HARTS
Fireside Chat: Securing Your Seat at the Table
WHAT PEOPLE SAY
Don’t just take our word for it… see what attendees had to say about what they liked most about DEITECH 2020
" The content was mostly new, and when not new, it was approached in an eye-opening way; and the networking opportunities were as phenomenal as the presenters and content. Oh, and the resources! The books and other resources offered during the conference were amazing. I'm trying to prioritize the books, so I won't go broke trying to purchase them all. "
" The content really was the showstopper, and I was thrilled to have access to it after the conference because I couldn't attend everything I wanted to. "
" The speakers/content were outstanding. They all provided insight as well as practical take-aways to implement following the conference. I also liked the ability to engage the speakers as well as fellow participants in discussions. I made several new connections as a result… Thank you! "
" I loved hearing all the panelists and meeting like-minded individuals at other tech companies. It was inspiring to be among all that energy. "
" Exceptionally well-done conference - from the incredible quality of the speakers and keynotes to the fantastic incorporation of networking throughout the event. The "tables" feature at the kickoff event really set the stage for prioritization of networking and connection. Watching the video TOGETHER at kickoff really brought us all into a shared headspace to launch the event. This was an incredibly well-thought-out event. "
" The opportunity to hear from diverse perspectives about the challenges and opportunities for DEI in the Tech industry, especially for the BIPOC community. "
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