Test | Diversity Leadership Alliance

Mr. Andre Bradford

Motivation Speaker

TEDx Talk Speaker and Poet

SCSAYS Poetry

Andre Bradford, also known by his stage name S.C. Says, is a beacon of inspiration and creativity in the world of spoken word. As a TEDx Talks speaker and a celebrated Austin-based motivational speaker, Bradford brings a profound depth to his craft that resonates with audiences nationwide.

Since 2013, he has captivated and challenged listeners through his electrifying slam poetry performances, establishing himself as a national champion and a vital voice in the community. With a career nationwide, Bradford has graced the stages of renowned poetry venues, prestigious universities, and influential conferences. His work has garnered attention and acclaim from prominent media outlets, including the Huffington Post, Write About Now, The Edge Radio, The Culture Trip, and Blavity. Bradford’s accolades are a testament to his exceptional talent and dedication.

He is a two-time Austin Poetry Slam Champion and the 2022 Texas Grand Slam Champion, achievements that highlight his extraordinary skill and commitment to the art form. His poetry collection, “Golden Brown Skin,” is a profound and personal narrative about mental health, surviving depression, and finding God. His poetry delves into a rich array of subjects, from the complexities of being mixed race to the urgent calls for social justice and the vital conversation around mental health awareness. Each piece is a testament to his belief in the transformative power of words, crafted with raw vulnerability and a deep sense of purpose.

Slam poetry, for Bradford, is not merely an art form; it is a sacred space for storytelling that embraces transparency and fosters dialogue. Spoken word to him is where diverse cultures and experiences converge, allowing for an exchange of ideas that bridges gaps and builds understanding.

LINKS
Website: www.scsayspoetry.com
LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/scsays/
Instagram: www.instagram.com/scsays

Thu. Oct. 3 • 9:00 – 10:00 AM
OPENING KEYNOTE
Storytelling for Transformation: Elevating DEI Through Powerful Personal and Organizational Narratives

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KRYSTAL COBRAN

Founder & Principal Consultant

Good Impact

Krystle Cobran is here to help you create an inclusive culture – one that Starts with Story. A graduate of The George Washington University Law School, Krystle served as a judicial law clerk in the Superior Court for the District of Columbia, and a NAACP/Kellogg Law Fellow before building two conversation-driven undergraduate university courses from scratch – Race & the Law, and American Courts, Race, and Social Issues – at the University of Georgia as a Visiting Lecturer.

While in law school, Krystle completed her Master of Public Policy at The College of William and Mary, where she continued to build upon research she completed as a Ronald E. McNair Scholar at the University of Florida. During this time she took a deep dive into the affirmative action jurisprudence of the Supreme Court, completing two independent study courses under faculty mentorship, which led to the publication of a law journal article.

Krystle discovered her love for synthesizing multiple perspectives while facilitating difficult conversations in university classrooms, which lead her to begin serving as a private consultant in 2017. She built her practice via word-of-mouth, supporting leaders and teams in need of advising, tools, and a story-driven approach towards building an inclusive culture that supports their organizational mission and vision. While serving non-profit, private sector, academic, and community-based clients, she published her first book, The Brave Educator: Honest Conversations about Navigating Race in the Classroom in 2018, and became the inaugural Inclusion Officer of Athens-Clarke County in 2019.

In this innvoative role, Krystle was responsible for developing and implementing a diversity, equity, and inclusion infrastructure that could support approximately 130,000 residents, 1,600 staff, and just over 40 specialized departments from the ground up. The lessons and insight she gained through first-hand experience deepened her understanding of the importance of listening, trust, connection, internal communication, and story in sustainable diversity, equity, and inclusion work.

Today, Krystle continues to build her inclusive culture practice, where she delivers tailored training, strategic advising, and stress-relieving soundingboard support to C-Suite Executives and teams searching for an inclusive path forward that Starts with Story.

LINKS
Website – https://www.krystlecobran.com
Linked In – https://www.linkedin.com/in/krystlecobran
Substack – https://krystlecobran.substack.com

Thu. Oct. 3 • 12:30 – 2:00 PM
WORKSHOP #3
Sustaining the Mission: Cultivating Resilience and preventing burn out for DEI Champions and Allies (Part 1)

Fri. Oct. 4 • 10:00 – 11:00 AM
CLOSING SESSION
MODERATED PANEL DISCUSSION
Sustaining the Mission: Cultivating Resilience and Preventing Burn Out for DEI Champions and Allies (Part 2)

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2023 Speakers and Presenters

Mr. Andre Bradford aka S.C. Says

OPENING KEYNOTE

Hady Mendez

WORKSHOP #1

Krystal Cobran

WORKSHOP #3

KATE MORRIS

Marion Kelly

2023 Speakers and Presenters

Mr. Andre Bradford aka S.C. Says

OPENING KEYNOTE

Hady Mendez

WORKSHOP #1

Krystal Cobran

WORKSHOP #3

KATE MORRIS

Marion Kelly

Mr. Andre Bradford

Motivation Speaker

TEDx Talk Speaker and Poet

SCSAYS Poetry

Hady Mendez

Founder and CEO

Boldly Speaking, LLC.

KRYSTAL COBRAN

Founder & Principal Consultant

Good Impact

KATE MORRIS

President and General Manager

KPNX Phoenix, KNAZ, KMSB and KTTU

Marion Kelly

Director

Office for Community & Business Relations

Mayo Clinic, Arizona