Partnership to Offer Kansas Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Summit

The Kansas Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) Summit Presented by Prairie Band, LLC is scheduled for September 21 via virtual platform, 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. The DEI Summit will feature a full day of activities including keynote speeches from Kuma Roberts, Arrowhead Consulting; Dr. Jarik Conrad, author and speaker; and Eugene Kelly, VP of Global Diversity & Inclusion, Colgate Palmolive Company. Attendees will also be able to participate in expert panel discussions and breakout sessions to explore the impact of diversity, equity and inclusion in our workplaces and communities.

This event is facilitated by the Greater Topeka Partnership and GO Topeka’s Minority and Women Business Development program.

“This event will offer both business and community members the opportunity to discuss the fundamentals of DEI in the workplace and community,” Glenda Washington, chief equity and opportunity officer, Greater Topeka Partnership, said. “We welcome everyone to take a seat at the table where they can discuss, listen and learn.”

“The conversation around DEI is always growing and evolving,” said Carlos Vasquez, chair of Equity and Opportunity Committee, Hill’s Pet Nutrition. “It’s not always easy to begin the discussion, but we all owe it to ourselves to make the effort to further develop our understanding of those different from ourselves. Moreover, it’s important to hear about the different kinds of adversity marginalized individuals face every day, whether it be in the workforce and as business leaders, or in their personal lives. In this way, we are able to help work toward solutions and ally ourselves to causes we might not have previously with limited understanding of the situation.”

“Diversity, Equity and Inclusion is one of the Partnership’s core values that guide our mission and vision,” Matt Pivarnik, CEO of the Greater Topeka Partnership, said. “Supporting our community’s commitment to these principles is something we are always eager to instigate and continue to perpetuate.”

Register to this event at https://www.topekapartnership.com/events/?action=registrationForm&eventid=1307&sessionuuid= 

Thank you to event sponsors: Prairie Band, LLC, Topeka Capital-Journal, Hill's Pet Nutrition, Hill's Pet Nutrition, Bartlett & West, Schwerdt Design and Prairie Band Casino and Resort.