Upcoming DEI Conference: Focusing on Next-Level Equity Work in a Time of Transition
Webster University’s 8th annual DEI Conference, themed Focusing on Next-Level Equity Work in a Time of Transition, will be held Feb. 27-March 1, 2023 on the University's main campus in St. Louis.
The conference aims to go far beyond typical DEI trainings and presentations to get to the heart of current issues, challenges and solutions relating to DEI today. This year's theme has been specifically designed to take a deep dive into the current global moment, explore timely pertinent issues as they evolve, and elevate tangible solutions for moving us all forward together.
Webster University invites all to attend this international gathering of scholars, students, community members and other esteemed partners deeply committed to all things DEI. The conference will be livestreamed throughout its duration.
Early registration for the keynote session featuring musician and author Michelle Zauner is open. Registration for additional conference sessions will open in January. Topics include health and healing, immigrant and refugee neighbors, gender and sexual identity, education, neurodiversity, accessibility and diverse workforce development.
About Michelle Zauner
Our 2023 keynote speaker, Michelle Zauner, is best known as a singer and guitarist who creates dreamy, shoegaze-inspired indie pop under the name Japanese Breakfast. She has won acclaim from major music outlets around the world for releases like “Psychopomp (2016)” and “Soft Sounds from Another Planet (2017).” Her most recent album, “Jubilee (2021),” earned two Grammy nominations for Best New Artist and Best Alternative Music Album.
Her first book, “Crying in H Mart,” an unflinching, powerful memoir about growing up Korean-American, losing her mother, and forging her own identity, is a New York Times Best Seller. Zauner is currently adapting the memoir for the screen for MGM’s Orion Pictures.
Please consider a donation to help fund Webster’s DEI efforts, including scholarships, programs such as our annual conference and other resources. In honor of Olympic Champion Laurie Hernandez’s visit to Webster and the 50th anniversary of the passage of Title IX, consider donating to Webster's women's athletics.
Making a Difference
Webster University is an agent of change for our students, our community and for society. The DEI Conference is a key piece of that change strategy, and we’ve curated it with sessions from compelling thought leaders, interactive workshops and practical exercises that distinguish our conference as a bold and engaging departure from ineffective, boilerplate DEI trainings.
Past Conferences
Since 2016, the Webster University community has prioritized challenging misconceptions and developing positive and accurate stories for our students through in-depth discussions, dialogue sessions, and shared experiences at our annual Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Conference.
2022 conference: Fireside Chat with Olympian Laurie Hernandez
2020 conference
2019 conference: Webster University Chancellor Beth Stroble and guest speaker, Olympian Jackie Joyner-Kersee.
2017 conference
Transgender activist and military veteran Charlotte Clymer was a speaker during the 2021 virtual Conference.
2019 conference
2019 conference
Michael J. Brathwaite at the 2019 conference
2018 conference
2016 conference
2019 conference
Art Holliday at the 2017 conference
2018 conference
2022 conference: Game Changer of the Year award presented to Michelle Li
2019 conference
2016 conference
2022: Every Day Inclusion: Right Here, Right Now!
The Webster University's Seventh Annual Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Conference: Every Day Inclusion: Right Here, Right Now! was held both in person and online on March 1-2, 2022, on the Webster Groves campus in Missouri.
“What can we do?” It is a common question in response to the social inequities that persist in our communities. This year's conference delivered immediate, practical, and impactful ways to practice everyday inclusion as individuals and institutions. We know that community exists wherever we come together under a common purpose or mission. We see the workplace, classroom, board room, and civic life — as community.
- Laurie Hernandez |Two-time Olympic Champion in Women's Gymnastics, Author, and Mental Health Advocate
- Rabbi Noah Arnow | Rabbi | Kol Rinah
- Katarina Ausley | Student | Webster University
- Rebeccah Bennett | Founder & Principal | Emerging Wisdom LLC & InPower Institute
- Traci Blackmon | Associate General Minister, Justice & Local Church Ministries |United Church of Christ
- Kwofe Coleman | President and CEO | The Muny
- Vanessa Cooksey | President and CEO | Regional Arts Commission
- Garrett Dohlke | Student | Webster University
- Katie Fields | College Outreach Coordinator | Starkloff Disability Institute
- Anne Geraghty-Rathert | Professor | Webster University
- Ben Greene | Transgender Inclusion Consultant and Educator
- Art Holliday | News Director | 5 On Your Side
- Kendra Holmes, Pharm. D., CHCEF | Senior Vice President, Chief Operating Officer | Affinia Healthcare
- Kristin Johnson | Chief Human Resources Officer | Edward Jones
- DJ Kaiser, Ph.D. | Professor and Director, Teaching English as a Second Language | Webster University
- Michelle Li | Anchor | 5 On Your Side
- Emma Lumpkins | Senior Director, DE&I | Schnuck Markets, Inc.
- Elvir Mandzukic | Faculty Development Center | Webster University
- Muthoni Musangali | Associate Professor | Webster University
- Swami Nishpapananda | Assistant Minister | Vedanta Society of St Louis
- Valerie E. Patton | Chief Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Officer/President | Greater St. Louis, Inc./Greater St. Louis Foundation
- Sekhar Prabhakar | CEO | CEdge
- Paul Steger | Dean, Leigh Gerdine College of Fine Arts | Webster University
- Paul Stroble, Ph.D | Professor | Webster University and Eden Theological Seminary
- Sonji R. Young | Global Vice President Diversity Equity Inclusion (DEI) | Armstrong Teasdale LLP
2021: Beyond Conversation: Driving Our Future
The 6th annual Diversity & Inclusion Conference was, for the first time, held virtually on Feb. 23-25, 2021.
The powerful and insightful conference featured nationally renowned speakers, lectures and panel discussions designed to share experiences, research and emerging trends.
Charlotte Clymer| Transgender Activist, Military Veteran
Patrisse Cullors |Co-founded the global Black Lives Matter movement in 2013
2020: From Conversation to Action
Our 5th annual Diversity & Inclusion Conference was free and open to the public on our Webster Groves campus, Feb. 24-27, 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
2019: Expanding the Conversation
Our 4th annual Diversity & Inclusion Conference was free and open to the public on our Webster Groves campus, Feb. 26-28, 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
2018: Elevating the Conversation
Our 3rd annual Diversity & Inclusion Conference was free and open to the public on our Webster Groves campus, Feb. 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 2nd 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 inaugural Diversity & Inclusion Conference was free and open to the public on our Webster Groves campus, Feb. 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
Listen on Webster SpeaksLearn More
At Webster University, we embrace all human differences while building upon our commonalities as people. Read more about our commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion.
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