Fifth Annual Diversity & Inclusion Conference

Inclusive Leadership to Enhance Workplace Belonging

The Fifth Annual Diversity & Inclusion Conference is taking place on June 21 at the Cooper Alumni Center, Arkansas State University. The 2024 conference theme is "Inclusive Leadership to Enhance Workplace Belonging." There will also be a virtual pre-conference event on Thursday, June 20, 1:30 – 3:30 p.m. (CT).

Belonging is a core human need that goes beyond inclusion to offer a sense of meaningful connection, support, and a sense of purpose. The conference will offer content and tools to assist organizations in fostering a sense of belonging that will allow people, teams, and companies to thrive. Participants will engage in discussions on what belonging means and offer strategies that can lead to increased productivity, greater innovation, and improved talent attraction and talent retention. Community leaders in education, healthcare, human resources, and business are invited to attend.

The conference will offer tools to assist with creating cultures of belonging within organizations. Participants will begin the day with a panel discussion on the state of DEIB, followed by the keynote address on inclusive leadership, and end the day with a fireside chat. Each year, over 100 individuals attend the conference. Conference evaluations indicate that participants on average increased their DEIB (diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging) understanding.

Keynote Speaker: Sherika Ekpo, M.B.A., B.B.A. Sherika Ekpo is a progressive human resources executive with 20 years of experience leading people initiatives and driving innovative human capital management practices. As a trusted advisor, Ekpo also provides coaching and strategic partnership to C-level leaders that results in clarity and alignment with organizational goals. Prior to full-time entrepreneurship, Ekpo most recently served as the SVP, Interim Chief Human Resources Office, and inaugural Chief Diversity Officer at Anaplan. Ekpo's public and private company experience spans across industries including technology, financial services, and government. Ekpo has worked at some of the world's leading organizations, such as Google, JPMorgan and Chase, the Department of Homeland Security, and the White House. Ekpo holds an M.B.A. from the Smith School of Business at the University of Maryland, College Park, and a B.B.A. in Marketing from Howard University.

The virtual pre-conference will introduce participants to concepts and tools related to belonging and inclusive leadership in the workplace. The pre-conference is intended for those who have a beginning or intermediate level understanding of DEIB. Those who attend the pre-conference will be better prepared to engage in DEIB conversations on the day of the conference.

Registration

The registration fee is $40. Registration has been extended to June 14, closing at 12 p.m.

To register, please have this information for yourself or for those you are registering:

• Name.
• Email.
• Phone number.
• Organization/position.
• Any dietary restrictions.
• Your level of DEIB understanding.

You will be asked to select one of these three choices:

• I am new to this topic and want to learn the basics.
• I have done this work for two to five years and am looking for new tools to continue the work.
• I have an advanced understanding of DEIB and am committed to learning and growing.

Parking Limited parking will be available at the Cooper Alumni Center. Overflow parking is available at the First National Bank Arena parking lot, yellow entrance (lot directly across from the Cooper Alumni Center).

Click for a PDF of the Arkansas State campus map.

Sponsorship Tiers

Are you interested in sponsoring this year’s event and providing your support to current and future New York Tech students? Learn more about our sponsorship options: