2021 Diversity & Inclusion Conference
Feb. 23-25
Webster University, Webster Groves, Missouri
Attendees include faculty, staff, students, alumni, corporate partners, and community members from around the St. Louis area. The virtual format of the 2021 conference allows us to reach our entire community and offer topics that appeal to a global audience. Topics at past conferences have included: hate speech, unconscious bias, gender in the media, how to be a transgender ally, multigenerational workforces, accessibility issues, and immigrant experiences. Our 2021 conference page has details on speakers and updates on registration.
Webster Speaks Virtual Series
Additionally, in 2020, we launched a virtual speaker series. The new “Webster Speaks: Dialogues on RACE, EQUITY and INCLUSION” speaker series has built an international audience for its frank conversation with local and national leaders advancing these issues.
2020: From Conversation to Action
Our fifth annual Diversity & Inclusion Conference was free and open to the public on our Webster Groves campus, February 24, 25, 26 & 27, 2020.
Diversity and inclusion are not only critical to our success, they are what constitute a strong and loving community. A diverse and inclusive community fosters unprecedented innovation, and also cultivates a community of understanding, a community of compassion, a community that stays vigilant in dismantling bigotry, and a community that rages against the death of tolerance and justice.
This powerful and insightful conference featured a keynote address, lectures, film screenings, panel discussions and demonstrations designed to share experiences, research and emerging trends.
Sam White | Civic Entrepreneur & Advocate | @samwhiteout
Michele Norris | Peabody Award-winning Journalist & Founder of The Race Card Project | @michele_norris
Aisha Sultan | Syndicated Columnist & Independent Filmmaker | @AishaS
Shelly Tochluk | Witnessing Whiteness | @shellytochluck
Day 1
Day 2
Day 3
Day 4
2019: Expanding the Conversation
Our fourth annual Diversity & Inclusion Conference was free and open to the public on our Webster Groves campus, February 26, 27 & 28, 2019.
From Webster's inception, we have been an institution that opened worlds that were previously closed to students. Our student body has become increasingly diverse in every way. We are a microcosm of the world across the Webster campus network and within each campus.
This powerful and insightful conference featured a keynote address, lectures, panel discussions and a theatrical performance designed to share experiences, research and emerging trends.
Marilyn F. Booker | Managing Director & Head of Urban Markets Group, Morgan Stanley Wealth Management
Jackie Joyner-Kersee | Olympian; Founder & CEO, Jackie Joyner-Kersee Foundation
Neal Richardson |Head of Financial Education Strategy, U.S. Bank; Co-Founder & President, Dream Builders 4 Equity
Day 1
Day 2
Day 3
2018: Elevating the Conversation
Our third annual Diversity & Inclusion Conference was free and open to the public on our Webster Groves campus, February 28 - March 1, 2018.
In prior conferences, we have focused panels and speakers on populations who have struggled to be included with equity and dignity. While this conference does explore the role of women and media, current issues with immigration and our keynote which focuses on racism, we have elevated the discourse in other sessions across many demographics. We want to examine hate speech, activism, the criminal justice system – even diversity of thought. We are also varying the format – giving everyone an opportunity to participate in a variety of ways, awakening habits and thought patterns we may not even know we have.
Dr. Donald Suggs |Publisher & Executive Editor of St. Louis American
2017: Critical Conversations
Our second annual Diversity & Inclusion Conference was free and open to the public
on our Webster Groves campus, March 1-2, 2017.
How can we make progress on this continuous path to equity? We can build on the knowledge
we already hold, seeking to learn from and with each other. We can join with our neighbors
to address the most pressing concerns from humanitarian and environmental perspectives.
We can learn from speakers at this forum what next steps are needed. We will maintain our focus—staying true to our core values—by continuing to learn, to create, to listen to each other, to seek the best in each other, and to want the best for each other.
Joan Lipkin | Artistic Director, That Uppity Theatre Company
Art Holliday | Broadcaster, KSDK NewsChannel 5
2016: Critical Conversations
Our first annual Diversity & Inclusion Conference was free and open to the public on our Webster Groves campus, February 29 - March 1, 2016.
Keynote addresses, student panel discussions, and facilitated dialogue sessions will be planned to create opportunities for those present to share their experiences, research, and emerging trends in creating communities that embrace diversity in ways that welcome and include. The intention during these two days is to explore ways to move forward on the continuous path of equity, valuing the strength that comes from the diversity of the community.
Lee A. Gill | Chief Diversity Officer & Special Assistant to the President at Clemson University
Adis M. Vila | Senior Fellow for the Institute for Cross Cultural Management at Florida Institute of Technology
Julia Serano | Writer, Performer, Activist & Author
Tahil Sharma | Youth Representative for the Parliament of the World’s Religions to the United Nations
“What I found through Ferguson, what I found through Michael Brown, is that I liked speaking into people. I like speaking power to people. I like waking people up.”
Mission Director of The International Black Freedom Alliance
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