“I call you revolutionaries,”
Dr. Caldwell’s remarks set the tone for an information-
After an opening evening of salsa dancing, networking expert George Fraser, chairman and CEO of FraserNET, kicked off the keynote lineup on day two with a thought-provoking speech that intersects racial consciousness, diversity and inclusion, and economic drivers. “If you are African American and are ‘in the house,’ you have a moral and spiritual responsibility to get other Black people in the house. We must be selective. We must decrease spending with organizations that do not invest in us—and we know who they are!” he said. “Today if you are among the amazing, you will have an excellent life. People in the audience here—Bill Wells, Dr. Roosevelt Thomas, Dr. Cassandra Caldwell—they are amazing, exceptional Americans.”
John Robinson, president and CEO of Our Ability, which specializes in mentoring people with disabilities worldwide, gave an equally inspirational luncheon keynote. Born a congenital amputee, Robinson shared the numerous personal obstacles he has overcome, while motivating the audience to “get off your knees, get angry, and advocate” to help people with disabilities more fully participate in society.
Day three began with a video presentation from Robert L. Johnson, chairman of The RJL Companies, the recently launched OppsPlace, and founder of Black Entertainment Television (BET). His goal: to “give minority businesses a chance to put their best foot forward,” he said. That was followed by a powerfully motivating address from Pegine Echevarria of Team Pegine, whose diversity training started on the streets of New York in a gang. Urging the audience to include white males in the scope of diversity and sparking an honest dialogue about white privilege, Echevarria said: “We need to be aware that diversity and inclusion is broader. We have to value brilliance because if we don’t, someone else will.”
Michael Adee, M. Div., Ph.D., executive director of More Light Presbyterians, moved the audience to tears with his luncheon keynote address. He revealed how he was fired from an academic institution for advocating for LGBT students, shared his coming out story, and vowed to fight the final leg of LGBT oppression. “It’s my responsibility as a person of faith to change the belief that being gay is a sin,” Adee said. “I pray for the day when homophobia, racism, and sexism are gone.”
Day three of the conference wrapped up with the historic Legends of Diversity dinner, in which 15 diversity luminaries were recognized for their tireless work in the diversity and inclusion profession. They include: Myrtha B. Casanova, Ph.D.; Price Mashaw Cobbs, M.D.; Elsie Y. Cross (posthumous);
Many honorees also shared their diversity and inclusion strategies during interactive breakout sessions on the final day. The conference closed with a riveting address by Johnnetta B. Cole, Ph.D., director of the Smithsonian National Museum of African Art, founder of the Johnnetta B. Cole Global Diversity and Inclusion Institute, and President Emerita of the HBCUs Bennett College for Women and Spelman College. “We are all gathered here today to mark the anniversary of a society that has more than 400 members from 13 countries and 5 continents,”
How did conference attendees react?
“The breakout sessions have been really inspirational and enjoyable. And the value-add is that we are at the beginning of something that has lots of potential.”
--R. Roosevelt Thomas Jr., Ph.D., Roosevelt Thomas Consulting & Training
“I like the ability to interact with people I’ve read about but have never gotten the opportunity to interact with before.”
--Emilio Egea, Vice President of Human Resources and Chief Diversity Officer, Prudential Financial
“The biggest thing about the ISDIP conference is the great passionate people.”
--Shirley Engelmeier, Chief Inclusion Strategist, InclusionINC
“A class act from beginning to end.”
--Anita Rowe, Partner, Partner, Emotional Intelligence and Diversity Institute
“By any measure, the conference was one of the best I ever attended. It had everything ...great speakers, excellent networking opportunities, and relevant, content-rich workshops. ISDIP is now on my list of don't miss events.”
--Deborah Foster, Executive Vice President, Strategic Alliances and Inclusion & Chief Diversity Officer, United Way Worldwide
“The conference has been phenomenally inspiring and a tremendous value for professionals for deep self reflection.”
--Betsy Silva Hernandez, Senior Director of Diversity, Sodexo
“Even if I left [the second day of the event], I would have already received the value of this conference.”
--Nene Molefi, Managing Director, Mandate Molefi
“The ISDIP conference was, hands down, the best D&I conference that I have had the privilege to attend. The quality of not only the presenters, but the attendees, was stellar. I made what I hope will be lasting personal and professional connections from multiple countries, and hated to see the conference end. Warning to planners of other D&I conferences--
--Laura S. Hertzog, Esq., Director, EEO/Diversity & Inclusion Programs, Cornell University ILR School
“I have been to so many diversity conferences over the years--and yours was by far the BEST.”
--Patricia C. Pope, CEO, Pope & Associates
“Elevating the Diversity & Inclusion Profession” was made possible thanks to the generous support of the following organizations:
About the International Society of Diversity and Inclusion Professionals
The International Society of Diversity & Inclusion Professionals is the first global comprehensive professional association that spans across industries and across public and private sectors. The ISDIP views diversity and inclusion through a comprehensive lens that includes four strategic pillars: organizational development, supplier diversity, workforce diversity, and community engagement. Membership is open to all public-sector and private-sector professionals with diversity and inclusion job responsibilities and/or interests. Not a member of the International Society of Diversity and Inclusion Professionals?
Contact:
Gail Zoppo
International Society of Diversity and Inclusion Professionals
Media Relations Manager
Centre Green Office Park
1000 Centre Green Way, Suite 200
Cary, NC 27513
919.457.0376
media@isdip.org
