The Equity Project Agenda

Join us for a day of inspiration and exploration of ideas and personal stories that focus on creating an inclusive environment. We’ll highlight those who are disrupting systems that perpetuate barriers and celebrate companies and individuals who are making progress on their promise of equity and inclusion.

11:30-12:00 – Join us for registration and networking

12:00 pm – Welcome by Kathy Kiely | President | The Ad Club

Welcome by Mayor Michelle Wu

12:15 pm – Keynote Speaker. Brandon Fleming | Nationally Acclaimed Harvard Educator and Author

You Belong Here

Brandon Fleming is building a pipeline to the Ivy League for young Black people. He says he is paying it forward by “creating Black privilege.” As a young man from an abusive home, considered at risk, he was lost. Inspired by Denzel Washington’s film The Great Debaters, he founded a competitive debate program, which put him on a path to being recruited by the Harvard Debate Council and eventually to founding the Harvard Diversity Project. By providing young people with the opportunity to master the art of debate, he is showing them that they belong. Brandon’s story will push you to think and to act, and to work toward a more equitable world.

Followed by Q+A with the audience

12:55 pm – The Equity Project Awards Presentation

Moderated by Janet Wu, Reporter and Anchor for Bloomberg

1:05 pm – No Laughing Matter

Tissa Hami | Founder | Korsi Consulting

Korsi’s Interactive Comedy & Storytelling workshop offers a novel approach to DEI conversations, using humor and storytelling as a springboard for discussion. A professional performer takes to the stage to share real-life stories of being the “other” in the workplace. She will then answer questions from the audience. Witty and thought-provoking, the stories allow event attendees to engage more deeply with DEI topics.

What does it take to recruit diverse talent, and more importantly, what does it take to retain them? How can workers at all levels of a company create a culture of inclusion and belonging? Vinayak Ranade, founder of Drafted will moderate what promises to be a provocative conversation with John Barros, Managing Principal of Cushman & Wakefield; Betty Francisco, CEO of the Boston Impact Initiative and founder of Latina Circle; and Jill Willcox, co-founder of Interators, LLC, a software testing company that employs neurodiverse people.

2:10 pm – The Talent Pipeline: An Equitable Workplace

In order to create a diverse workforce, a company needs to establish an inclusive culture. The talent pipeline discussion continues with a focus on culture and inclusivity with Marianne Harrison of John Hancock and Stephanie Browne of BCBSMA moderated by John Barros. They will share some of their unique solutions to the challenge and, along with moderator John Barros, will take questions from the audience.

2:30 pm – BREAK

2:50 pm – The Standup Break

Gina Brillon | Comedian, Actress, Writer

She knew she wanted to be a comic from the time she was a child growing up in the Bronx. And this award-winning Latina comedian will have you laughing along with her as she skewers the too easily offended with her Latino-infused brand of comedy.

3:05 pm – Congratulations, You’ve Been Accepted

Boston is a world-renowned center of higher education. As our colleges and universities are training the future workforce, how are they managing equity? Hear from two current and one former college presidents about how they see their responsibility to their students, and how they view their own and their institutions’ role in the context of the city’s struggle with achieving equity.

3:40 pm – The Equity Project Awards Presentation

Moderated by Janet Wu, Reporter and Anchor for Bloomberg

3:50 pm – How Leadership Works: Stay Woke

Priscilla Douglas | Executive Coach and Author
Karen Kaplan, Chair & CEO, Hill Holliday

What does it mean to be a woke leader? Join Priscilla Douglas, author of Woke Leadership: Profits, Prophets, and Purpose as she chats with Hill Holliday Chair and CEO Karen Kaplan about this important, and somewhat controversial topic.

Followed by Q+A with the audience

4:20 pm – Reframe: How Brands Develop Inclusive Campaigns

How can brands tap into the art of storytelling to amplify diverse perspectives and reframe their messaging through a more inclusive lens? Deborah Douglas and Amber Payne, co-editors in chief of The Emancipator, bring decades of experience and excellence in journalism, research, and impactful storytelling. Together with Boston Globe Media CMO, Peggy Byrd, this panel will explore ideas and possible strategies for creating more inclusive content that resonates with multicultural audiences and cultivates a stronger sense of belonging.

Followed by Q+A with the audience

4:40 pm – Last Dance: Donna Summer

Amahri Edwards-Jones | Duckling Donna/Mimi
Charis Gullage | Disco Donna
Brittny Smith | Diva Donna/Mary Gaines

Interviewed by Janet Wu, Reporter and Anchor for Bloomberg

Donna Summer was just a young girl from Boston once, and the story of her life comes to the stage with the Broadway in Boston production of Summer: The Donna Summer Musical. Hear from the three actors playing Donna – one for three different periods of her life – about what it was like to be a young Black woman in Boston trying to make it in the music business.

The musical is opening at the Colonial Theatre on February 22nd. Broadway in Boston is offering a ticket discount code to all attendees.

5:00 pm – Closing Remarks