2021 Events

SOCIAL SUSTAINABILITY “The Indigenous practice of Being” WORKSHOP DESCRIPTION Indigeneity recognizes the cultural, religious, and holistic contributions of Indigenous people. This webinar acknowledges that while people are not all native to the Americas, they are all indeed connected to indigenous tribal communities from the ancestors of their land of origin. This unique DLA webinar will address the problematic patterns of …

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TRANSGENDER INCLUSION “Helping Transgender employees feel a true sense of belonging in the workplace” WORKSHOP DESCRIPTION Despite growing public knowledge and awareness of Transgender individuals, many still face stigma, hostility, and discrimination in the workplace. Some employers are not equipped with the supportive Culture or policies designed to protect and support their Trans employees, leading to issues with retention and …

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WIRED DIFFERENTLY “Embracing Neurodiversity in the Workplace” WORKSHOP DESCRIPTION The world as we know it has changed and now more than ever, includes many individuals that are unique and wired differently. Neurodiverse individuals in the workforce think, learn and process information differently and are a vital and valuable, contribution to any team’s overall success. They contribute to building a more …

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  FOOD APARTHEID “How Hunger and Food Insecurity Affects us ALL” WORKSHOP DESCRIPTION Did you know that in the City of Phoenix, 42.5% of people live in a food desert? This means that nearly half of all the people living in Phoenix in these 43 food desert areas do not have access to healthy food due to lack of healthy …

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  MENTAL HEALTH and our evolving workplace norms “Facing the complex emotions associated with resuming in-person work”   WORKSHOP DESCRIPTION After over a year of working remotely, many employees have mixed emotions about resuming in-person work and returning to the office, including excitement, anxiety, fear, and uncertainty, to name a few. Concerns about exposure to the COVID-19 virus, reduction in flexibility, …

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Standing strong and united in solidarity with our Asian American and Pacific Island (AAPI) brothers and sisters, DLA presents a special edition, “Uncomfortable conversations that ignite change, We are not Silent: Stories and Support for the AAPI community.” Racially motivated hate crimes and harassment have been systemic in America for people of color and other vulnerable populations for hundreds of years. …

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In 2021, DLA continues its impactful dialogue series “UNCOMFORTABLE CONVERSATIONS THAT IGNITE CHANGE”.  This year, we dig even deeper to unearth some deep-rooted systems of inequity and oppression in Education, Healthcare, Food Systems and Technology. The  2021 dialogues will be all about listening and learning and were created because we want these conversations to mean something. Our desire is for …

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In 2021, DLA continues its impactful dialogue series “UNCOMFORTABLE CONVERSATIONS THAT IGNITE CHANGE”.  This year, we dig even deeper to unearth some deep-rooted systems of inequity and oppression in Education, Healthcare, Food Systems and Technology. The  2021 dialogues will be all about listening and learning and were created because we want these conversations to mean something. Our desire is for …

Posted in 2021, Events | Comments Off on 2021 Uncomfortable Conversations…the Dialogue Continues #3

In 2021, DLA continues its impactful dialogue series “UNCOMFORTABLE CONVERSATIONS THAT IGNITE CHANGE”.  This year, we dig even deeper to unearth some deep-rooted systems of inequity and oppression in Education, Healthcare, Food Systems and Technology. The  2021 dialogues will be all about listening and learning and were created because we want these conversations to mean something. Our desire is for …

Posted in 2021, Events | Leave a comment

In 2021, DLA continues its impactful dialogue series “UNCOMFORTABLE CONVERSATIONS THAT IGNITE CHANGE”.  This year, we dig even deeper to unearth some deep rooted systems of inequity and oppression in Education, Healthcare, Food Systems and Technology. The  2021 dialogues will be all about listening and learning and were created because we want these conversations to mean something. Our desire is …

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2020 Events

DLA has created a 5-part series of healing dialogues that included a successful 2-day deep dive Virtual Conference that was just completed on October 29th and 30th. These dialogues are by no means meant to be all-inclusive but will serve as a part of an overall wholistic solution and a positive approach to harnessing our collective energy.  These workshops are …

Posted in 2020, Events | Leave a comment

DLA has created a 5-part Series of healing dialogues that included a successful 2-day deep dive Virtual Conference that was just completed on October 29th and 30th. These dialogues are by no means meant to be all-inclusive, but will serve as a part of an overall wholistic solution and a positive approach to harnessing our collective energy.  These workshops are …

Posted in 2020, Events | Leave a comment

DLA has created a 5-part Series of healing dialogues that will culminate with a deep dive at a 2-day Virtual Conference in October. These dialogues are by no means meant to be all-inclusive, but will serve as a part of an overall wholistic solution and a positive approach to harnessing our collective energy.  This will be a safe space and …

Posted in 2020, Events | Leave a comment

DLA has created a 5-part Series of healing dialogues that will culminate with a deep dive at a 2-day Virtual Conference in October. These dialogues are by no means meant to be all-inclusive, but will serve as a part of an overall wholistic solution and a positive approach to harnessing our collective energy.  This will be a safe space and …

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Dr. Olga I. Davis Associate Dean, Barrett, The Honors College Downtown Campus Professor, Hugh Downs School of Human Communication Arizona State University   DLA has created a 5-part Series of healing dialogues that will culminate with a deep dive at a 2-day Virtual Conference in October. These dialogues are by no means meant to be all-inclusive, but will serve as …

Posted in 2020, Events | Leave a comment

DLA has created a 5-part Series of healing dialogues that will culminate with a deep dive at a 2-day Virtual Conference in October. These dialogues are by no means meant to be all-inclusive, but will serve as a part of an overall wholistic solution and a positive approach to harnessing our collective energy.  This will be a safe space and …

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Intercultural Competence Amplify your Inclusive Story and Impact! Presenter Renee Bhatti-Klug Intercultural Competence is defined as a person’s ability to adjust, function and communicate effectively with members of different cultural groups or in various foreign cultural environments. This interactive educational workshop will teach a mindful approach to communication and how to show empathic understanding within diverse populations in the workplace. …

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Dear DLA workshop Participant, The Diversity Leadership Alliance team has made the decision to cancel our March 2020 program celebrating Women’s History Month due to our concerns about the COVID-19 coronavirus. We take the current circumstances seriously and are acting in the interest of everyone’s well-being.  Our concern is the health and safety of our communities and we want to …

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In celebration of Black History Month DLA presents Sharing our Cultural Wealth presented by Dr. Jeff McGee “Wealth is the ability to fully experience life.” -HD Thoreau Wealth is a mindset; and cultural wealth is defined as a collection of knowledge, skills, abilities and connections – present or not, available or not – to communities in order to survive and …

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2019 – Conference

Our Stories

Thank you to EVERYONE who attended our 2019 In-person Conference and Awards Luncheon!

Our Stories - Fostering Conversations that Ignite Change

2019 Annual Conference & Diversity Awards

Fostering Conversations that Ignite Change!

Friday, November 15th 2019

7:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.

Sheraton Grand Downtown Phoenix
340 N 3rd Street, Phoenix, AZ 85004
#ourstories19

Event Details

“OUR STORIES”, Fostering Conversations that Ignite Change is this year’s conference theme. Storytelling is a unique and powerful way to teach, persuade and understand ourselves and others. It is a uniquely human trait and has been with us nearly as long as we’ve been able to speak. Whether it evolved out of necessity or was simply a by-product of our own intellectual development, stories are deeply embedded in our DNA. Across time and across cultures, stories have proven their worth not just as works of art, historical perspective or amusement, but as catalysts for change. Come listen and learn while you share your story, setting aside judgments and biases and exploring the possibilities that come when we are truly connected.

  • Registration and Breakfast starts at 7:00 a.m.
  • Program begins promptly at 8:00 a.m.
  • Please arrive early and allow additional time for parking and networking.
2019 Schedule

7:00am – 7:50am      Registration, Continental Breakfast & Networking

8:00am – 8:50am     Opening Ceremony, Welcome, Logistics

8:50am – 9:00am     Break (Transition to workshops)

9:00am – 10:15am    Workshops Session #1 (3 workshops)

10:30am – 11:45am   Workshops Session #2 (3 workshops)

11:45am – 12:00pm   Break, Youth Speaker

12:00pm – 1:15pm     Conference Luncheon and Diversity Awards

1:15pm – 1:30pm        Break (Transition to workshops)

1:30pm – 2:45pm       Workshops Session #3 (3 workshops)

Workshops

DLA Conference Workshop 1 Presenters and Moderator
Workshop #1

OVERCOMING – Breaking Barriers to Create our Own Stories

Panelists:       Capt. Lynn Ripplemeyer, Adonis Watt, Kelly Falardeau
Moderator:   Jezreel Ramirez, Program Administrator, Department of Veterans Affairs
read more »
DLA Conference Workshop 2 Presenter
Workshop #2

BELONGING – Owning our Stories

Presenter: Calvin Terrell
read more »
DLA Conference Workshop 3 Presenters and Moderator
Workshop #3

YOU ARE NOT ALONE: The Power of Allyship in Transformation

Panelists: Claire Sarnowski, Angelica Lindsey, Julian Melson
Moderator: Jacque Starks
read more »

Diversity Leadership Alliance diamonds

Our Partners

  • Champion Partner
    $20,000

    20,000 Champion Partner

  • Partner
    $10,000

    10,000 Partner

  • Advocate Partner
    $5,000

    5,000 Advocate Partner

  • Supporter Partner
    $3,000

    3,000 Supporter Partner

  • Friends of DLA
    $1,000

    Accolade
    Boeing
    Chubb
    City of Phoenix-Equal Opportunity Department
    City of Phoenix – Water Department
    City of Scottsdale
    Coconino County
    Coconino County – Public Works
    Ewing Irrigation & Landscape Supply
    Girl Scouts – AZ Cactus Pine Council
    Harvest
    Liv Communities
    Nationwide Insurance
    Scottsdale Community College
    Terros Health
    Vanguard
    YWCA

“Growing up as a Muslim in America post 911 you have two choices, you either embrace your identity or you fold. I decided to embrace it and go out and develop my own faith, confidence, education and knowledge and then share it with others.”
Yaser Ali – Yaser Ali Law and “Greater Arizona” Founder
2018 DLA Diversity & Inclusion Award recipient

2019 Diversity and Inclusion Award Nominees

Listed below alphabetically, are all of the individuals and companies that were nominated this year.

  • ARIZONA SHRM
    BREANNE IFFERT
    CHANTEL WEST
    CHUBB
    CITY OF SCOTTSDALE
    COCONINO COUNTY
    DR. SARA BONFIG
    EDWARD JONES
    GIRL SCOUTS
    GOOD WILL INDUSTRIES
    INDIA ASSOCIATION
    KATE GOLDMAN
    KELLA PRICE
  • KOVILAKONDA BABU
    LAYN ABBOTT
    LUCINDA ANDREANI
    NAACP
    NADIA MUSTAFA
    PAT GILLUM
    ROY TATEM
    SARAY LOPEZ
    SISTERHOOD EXTRAVAGANZA
    TOM FRANKLIN
    UNIVERSITY OF PHOENIX
    VANGUARD

2019 Conference Co-Chairs

Elouise Nathaniel
Elouise Nathaniel
ASAP Recruiting

Reid DeSpiegelaere
Reid DeSpiegelaere
National Director
Velo Tutoring Program
Valley of the Sun United Way
We are extremely grateful and honored to have the opportunity this year to work in the capacity as the Conference Co-Chairs. This year we have been blessed with some incredible volunteers that contributed without hesitation by jumping right in to serve. Many of them sacrificed their time to meet after a long day at work and we are incredibly thankful for each and everyone of them. They did an amazing job helping us to pull the conference together and have made this year’s conference one of the best ever!

2019 Conference Committee

2019 DLA Conference Planning Committee
** Not all committee members pictured above. See full committee list below **

Thank you for your support.

 

    • Joanna de’Shay, Executive Director
    • Marion Kelly, DLA Co-Founder & Executive Board
    • Essen Otu, DLA Board of Directors
    • Phil Pangrazio, DLA Board of Directors
    • Lee Barnett, DLA Board of Directors / Youth Committee Dominic Bartola, DLA Board/Youth Committee
    • Michelle Gray, DLA Board of Directors
    • Barry Stratford , DLA Board of Directors
    • Dr. Mallary Tytel, DLA Board/Education Committee Chair Francisco Lucio, DLA Board of Directors
    • Tina S. Drews, DLA Board of Directors
    • Leslie Scott, DLA Board of Directors
    • Elouise Nathaniel, Conference Co-Chair
    • Reid DeSpiegelaere, Conference Co-Chair and DLA Board
    • Dr. Brent Scholar, Education Committee / Website
    • Alethea Session, Education Committee/Website
    • Betty Thompson, Education Committee
    • Tyree Boze, Education Committee
    • Shannon Walker, Education Committee
    • Suzanne Martin, Education Committee
    • Kristen Walker, Conference Committee
    • Chantel West, Conference Committee
    • Victoria Stinson, Conference Committee
    • Sam Dias, Conference Committee
    • Kellee Salas, Conference Committee
    • Jacque Starks, Conference Committee
    • Marcia Edwards, Conference Committee
    • Kara Saliba, Conference Committee
    • Ronda Lewis, Conference Committee
    • Dr. Sara Bonfig, Conference Committee
    • Shauniece High, Conference Committee
    • Gina Read, Conference Committee
    • Gabriela Woody, Conference Committee
    • Kamana Khadka, Conference Committee
    • Jeff Shewan, Conference Committee
    • Tikki Carmichael, Conference Committee
    • Julie Fink, Conference Committee
    • Kim Phillips, Conference Committee
    • Tondra Richardson, Conference committee
    • RJ Shannon, Conference Committee
    • Terry Mitich, Conference Committee
    • ASDdesign, Graphic Design

Diversity Leadership Alliance diamonds

2018 Events

  • Desperado Film Festival – Film Screening / Discussion
    Friday, February 9th 2018
    Paradise Valley Community College
    The exclusive screening of “En Algun Lugar” A Place to be- An Immigration story.

    Defamation the Stage Play – An Interactive Diversity Play
    Tuesday, February 13th 2018
    Phoenix College

    Women’s History / Empowerment Month
    Wednesday, March 21st 2018
    Chandler / Gilbert Community College (CGCC)

    Freeland: From Massacres to Mascots
    Thursday, April 5, 2018
    Scottsdale Community College

  • Interfaith Discussion – Religion in the Workplace
    Thursday, May 24, 2018
    SODEXO

    Why Is This Happening? Macro Aggressions in Everyday Life.
    Wednesday, June 20, 2018
    Gateway Community College

    Deconstructing Dominant Social Norms
    Thursday, August 23, 2018
    Cox Communications

    17th Annual DLA Conference-Dispelling Myths of Race, Class, Gender and Privilege
    Thursday, November 29, 2018
    Sheraton Hotel – Downtown Phoenix

2018 Diversity Conference Archive

Dispelling Myths of Race, Class, Gender & Privilege

Dispelling Myths of Race, Class, Gender & Privilege

2018 Agenda

Thursday, November 29th, 2018
Sheraton, Downtown Phoenix

  • 7:00am – 7:50am Registration, Continental Breakfast & Networking
  • 8:00am – 8:50am Opening Ceremony, Welcome, Logistics, Youth Speaker
  • 8:50am – 9:00am Break (Transition to Workshops)
  • 9:00am – 10:15am Workshops Session #1 (3 workshops)
  • 10:30am – 11:45am Workshops Session #2 (3 workshops)
  • 11:45am – 12:00pm Break (Transition to luncheon)
  • 12:00pm – 1:15pm Conference Luncheon and Diversity Awards
  • 1:15pm – 1:30pm (Transition to Workshops)
  • 1:30pm – 2:45pm Workshops Session #3

2018 Speakers

Hanadi Chehabeddine

Can I Be Your Muslim Friend?

Hanadi Chehabeddine
read more »


Regina Huber

Uniquely You

Regina Huber
read more »


Audrey Lloyd

ENOUGH! Moving Beyond Bias to Build Connection and Strength

Audrey Lloyd
read more »

2018 Conference Partnerships

Champion Partner $20,000

Hire Story USAA


Partner $10,000

APS Maricopa Community Colleges Mayo Clinic Medtronic Mountain Park Health Center SRP


Advocate Partner $5,000

CHUBB Cox AAA Car Insurance University of Arizona University of Phoenix


Supporter Partner $3,000

Ability 360 Phoenix Sky Harbor Vanguard Edward Jones City of Peoria City of Glendale City of Phoenix Water Services Department


Friends of DLA $1,000

Arizona SHRM
Community Celebrating Diversity
Girl Scouts
Go Daddy
Harvest
LIV Communities
Nationwide Insurance
OH Partners
Perkins Coie


2018 Award Nominees

Congratulations to all of the nominees and the amazing organizations they represent.

  • AALIYAH MOORE (youth)
    A NEW LEAF
    ABRIL MORALES (youth)
    ANGELA HUGHEY
    ARIZONA COMPLETE HEALTH CARE
    ARIZONA STATE UNIVERSITY
    CHERISH MCCOMBS
    CHEYENNE ROSS
    CHIP CARDENAS
    CITY OF PHOENIX – EQUAL OPPORTUNITY DEPARTMENT
    COCONINO COUNTY
    DON LOGAN
    DR. NEAL LESTER
    GINA READ
    GOODWILL INDUSTRIES OF ARIZONA
  • HEATHER MATTISON
    JACQUE STARKS
    JEZREEL RAMIREZ
    MELISSA MEL
    NEW PATHWAYS FOR YOUTH
    ONE COMMUNITY
    ONENTEN
    PEORIA LIBRARY
    SALT RIVER PROJECT
    SARAH BENATAR
    TINA BROWN
    TINA S. DREWS
    TONYA STUEMPFL
    VANGUARD
    YASER ALI