THANK YOU to our 2021 PRESENTING SPONSORS!
2021 DLA CONFERENCE
(Now All Virtual)
Uncomfortable Conversations that Ignite Change…
the dialogues continue!
Wednesday – Friday, November 17-19, 2021
$99 Individual Ticket
“Uncomfortable Conversations that Ignite Change – the dialogue continues” held from November 17th – 19th was a three-day virtual Conference, with our Diversity Awards presented in partnership with AZ SHRM. The 2021 conference identified, addressed, and eradicated the deep-rooted, insidious nature of racism by harnessing the powerful tools of Education and dialogue. We dug deeper into the systems of inequities we see in Education, Media, Gender Pay Equity for women, RaceLighting, and Mental Health. By having these meaningful dialogues, we hoped to eliminate some of the racist thoughts, behaviors, and actions within various systems, encourage advocacy and social justice and promote authentic, sustainable diversity, equity, and inclusion practices and programs.
2021 Conference Agenda At-A-Glance
Day One (Virtual)
Wednesday, Nov 17
6:00 – 8:00 pm
20th Anniversary Diversity and Awards Ceremony
DLA and AZ SHRM
Co-Chairs Dr. Brent Scholar and Ms. Lorena Castro
OPENING PERFORMANCE / VIDEO
Special Musical Guests
Check Your Blind Spots
AWARDS CEREMONY
Celebrating and Honoring our Diversity Champions
Day Two (Virtual)
Thursday, Nov 18
8:30 – 9:00 am
CONFERENCE WELCOME
Co-Founder Marion K. Kelly & Executive Director Joanna C. de’Shay
9:00-10:00 am
OPENING KEYNOTE
Race & Inclusion in Media
Featuring Mr. Richard Dyer
Featuring Mr. Grady Tripp
Moderated by Ms. Rachel McNeill
10:30 am – 12:00 pm & 12:30 – 2:00 pm
WORKSHOP #1
Tolerance to Authenticity
Featuring Dr. Joel P. Martin (10:30 am – 12:00 pm)
Featuring Mr. Lor Lee (12:30 – 2:00 pm)
10:30 am – 12:00 pm & 12:30 – 2:00 pm
WORKSHOP #2
Power & Privilege
Featuring Ms. Jennifer Brown (10:30 am – 12:00 pm)
Featuring Mr. Jason Sirois (12:30 – 2:00 pm)
2:15 – 3:30 pm
CLOSING SESSION
Dispelling the Myth of Critical Race Theory
Featuring Dr. Lewis A. Brownlee
Featuring Dr. Kristie Jackson
Moderated by Ms. Tram Mai
4:00 – 6:00 pm
EMPLOYER RESOURCE SESSION
Employer’s Information Session – Agenda
Featuring speakers from our top-tier and presenting sponsors about their culture, DEI programs, employee resource groups and available open job postings. Networking with hiring managers and leadership.
Day Three (Virtual)
Friday, Nov 19
8:30 – 9:00 am
CONFERENCE CLOSE
DLA Conference Co-Chairs Reid DeSpiegelaere & Tikki Carmichael
9:00 – 10:00 am
OPENING KEYNOTE
Racelighting - A Racial Reckoning
Featuring Dr. Jonathan Luke Wood
Moderated by Mr. Mark Curtis
10:30 am – 12:00 pm & 12:30 – 2:00 pm
WORKSHOP #1
Closing the Pay Gap for Women
Featuring Ms. Alika Kumar
10:30 am – 12:00 pm & 12:30 – 2:00 pm
WORKSHOP #2
Eroding Toxic Behaviors
Featuring Dr. Mitchell Kusy
2:15 – 3:30 pm
CLOSING SESSION
Can You Unlearn Hate? Becoming an Anti-Racist Nation
Featuring Ms. Brenda Herrera Moreno, Dr. Jannah Scott and Mr. Kareem Neal
Moderated by Ms. Tram Mai
ASL Interpreting and Captioning Services available at Conference in partnership with
Meet Our 2021 Speakers and Presenters
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Mr. Grady Tripp
Vice President
Chief Diversity Officer
TEGNA Inc.
view bio »
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 2021
9:00 – 10:00 am
OPENING KEYNOTE: Race and Inclusion in Media
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Ms. Rachel McNeill
Anchor and Journalist
Today in AZ Weekday Mornings
view bio »
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 2021
9:00 – 10:00 am
OPENING SESSION: Race & Inclusion in Media
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Mr. Richard J. Dyer
Senior Vice President
CBS affiliates WLTX – Columbia S.C.
WFMY – Greensboro N.C.
and
President and General Manager
WUSA, CBS affiliate – Washington, DC
view bio »
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 2021
9:00 – 10:00 am
OPENING KEYNOTE: Race and Inclusion in Media
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Ms. Tram Mai
News Anchor and Journalist
KPNX News, Channel 12
view bio »
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 2021
2:15 – 3:30pm
CLOSING SESSION: Dispelling the Myth of Critical Race Theory
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 19, 2021
2:15 – 3:30pm
CLOSING SESSION: Can You Unlearn Hate? Becoming an Anti-Racist Nation
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Dr. Joel P. Martin
President
Triad West Inc.
view bio »
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 2021
10:30 am – 12:00 pm
WORKSHOP #1: Tolerance to Authenticity
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Mr. Lor Lee
DEI Trainer and Consultant
LOR LEE Inclusion Consulting
view bio »
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 2021
12:30 – 2:00 pm
WORKSHOP #1: Tolerance to Authenticity
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Ms. Jennifer Brown
Speaker, Author, Humanist
Jennifer Brown Consulting
view bio »
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 2021
10:30 am – 12:00 pm
WORKSHOP #2: Power & Privilege: Closing the Social Equity Gap
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Dr. Lewis A. Brownlee
Education Faculty, Education Studies
Mesa Community College
view bio »
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 2021
2:15 – 3:30 pmCLOSING SESSION Dispelling the Myths of Critical Race Theory
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Mr. Jason Sirois MPA
Organizer, Coach, Facilitator, and Storyteller
view bio »
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 2021
12:30 – 2:00 pm
WORKSHOP #2: Power & Privilege: Closing the Social Equity Gap
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Dr. Kristie Jackson
Senior Learning Strategist
BloomBoard
view bio »
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 2021
2:15 – 3:30 pmCLOSING SESSION Dispelling the Myths of Critical Race Theory
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Dr. Jonathan Luke Wood
Professor, Author, Intellect
Vice President of Student Affairs & Campus Diversity
San Diego State University
view bio »
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 19, 2021
9:00 – 10:00 am
OPENING KEYNOTE: Racelighting – A Racial Reckoning
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Ms. Alika Kumar
Executive Director
Arizona Minority Business Development Agency
view bio »
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 19, 2021
10:30 am – 12:00 pm & 12:30 – 2:00 pmWORKSHOP #1 Closing the Pay Gap for Women
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Dr. Mitchell Kusy
Professor, Author and Fulbright Scholar
Graduate School of Leadership Change
Antioch University
view bio »
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 19, 2021
10:30 am – 12:00 pm & 12:30 – 2:00 pm
WORKSHOP #2: Eroding Toxic Behaviors
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Ms. Brenda Herrera Moreno
Founder & Principal Activator
In.Visible Paradigms
view bio »
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 19, 2021
2:15 – 3:30 pm
CLOSING SESSION: Can You Unlearn Hate? Becoming an Anti-Racist Nation
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Dr. Jannah Scott
Director
Ramsey Consultancy for Social Justice, Racial Equity & Diversity
Central Arizona Shelter Services
Member, Arizona Interfaith Movement
view bio »
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 19, 2021
2:15 – 3:30 pm
CLOSING SESSION: Can You Unlearn Hate? Becoming an Anti-Racist Nation
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Mr. Kareem Neal
2019 Arizona Teacher of the Year
Restorative Justice Trainer
Phoenix Union High School District
view bio »
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 19, 2021
2:15 – 3:30 pm
CLOSING SESSION: Can You Unlearn Hate? Becoming an Anti-Racist Nation
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Mr. Mark Curtis
News Anchor and decorated Journalist
12 News at 5:00, 6:00 and 10:00 p.m
view bio »
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 19, 2021
9:00 – 10:00 am
OPENING KEYNOTE: Racelighting – A Racial Reckoning
Our 2021 Partners
Change Agents
$20,000
Partner Level Sponsors
$10,000
Advocate Sponsors
$5,000
Additional Sponsors
SUPPORTER SPONSORS – $3,000
FRIENDS OF DLA – $1,000
“Without talking and truly trying to understand why people live a certain way, we are not going to be able to grow as a species.”
Jackson Asante Whitaker
2020 DLA Youth Leader
Partnership Opportunities
2021 Annual Conference Partnership Levels
CHANGE AGENT $20,000
Partner $10,000
Advocate Partner $5,000
Supporter Partner $3,000
Friend of DLA $1,000 (Unlimited Friendships)
Learn more about DLA Partnerships »
2021 Award Winners
Congrats to all of our nominees and winners!
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2021 Youth Inclusion Leader
Guadalupe Martinez
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2021 Diversity Leader
Dr. Lois Brown
-
2021 Diversity Leader
Mini Salas
-
2021 Diversity Leader
Dr. Ousama El-Hillal
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2021 Diversity Leader
Dr. Versha Anderson
-
2021 Inclusive Workplace
APS
About the Awards
In 2020, DLA celebrated and recognized Arizona individuals, Corporations and Organizations that lead by example, creating an inclusive environment that enhances and strengthens the community. The DLA Diversity and Inclusion Award is a joint award given on behalf of Diversity Leadership Alliance and Arizona SHRM. This prestigious award is given to a Corporation or Organization that recognizes and values Diversity, Equity and Belonging. They create a safe space in an inclusive, collaborative work environment where their employees can be their genuine and authentic selves. In addition to their innovative, internal Diversity programs and initiatives, they also lead the way in terms of their extensive Community outreach efforts and support. DLA also honored individuals who serve as Diversity and Inclusion Leaders in the Community. These passionate individuals demonstrated collaborative leadership and a visible commitment to the work of Diversity and Inclusion. These individuals are bravely forging forward and creating spaces where others can celebrate and be celebrated and they do so selflessly with dignity and humility.