Collaboration with Johnnetta B. Cole Global Diversity and Inclusion Institute!

Dear Friends and Colleagues –

As you know Diversity Matters has recently formed a collaboration with the Johnnetta B. Cole Global Diversity and Inclusion Institute (JBC Institute) and will be serving as a conduit for the voices of The JBC Institute beginning with the upcoming Chief Diversity Officers Forum (March 20 -22, 2007; Greensboro, North Carolina). This exciting collaboration expands and forwards our shared vision of a world that works, and broadens exposure to some of the Institutes’ key programs such as The Chief Diversity Officers Forum, The Power Girls Summer Leadership Institute, The Diversity Lecture Series, The Professor of Diversity In-Residence, and The O. Lavelle Bond Diversity Scholars Program.

The CDO Forum’s central theme this year is “Innovation: Breakthrough Thinking for Diversity Management.” In addition to hearing from CEO’s of leading organizations such as Sodexho, AOL, Krispy Crème and United Way, speakers include:

• Gilbert Casellas, Former EEOC Chair;
• Ted Childs, former Chief Diversity Officer, IBM;
• Maria Hinojosa, Journalist & Author;
• Frans Johansson, Best Selling Author & Speaker;
• Dr. Julianne Malveaux, Economist & Diversity Thought Leader;
• Jennifer Lanier, Actress & Writer;
• and Diversity Matters very own Noelle Richardson who was the first woman of color to anchor a national newscast in Canada

The Trailblazers in Diversity Awards Reception will honor Baroness Valerie Amos, Dr. William “Bill” Cosby, Mr. & Mrs. Leonard (Tobee) Kaplan, and Lt. Col. (retired) Consuelo Kickbusch.

According to Bea Perdue, President of the JBC Institute, “Since 2004 when the first Chief Diversity Officers Forum was launched, the primary goal was to provide an engaging environment for executives managing diversity to share their experiences and knowledge for the collective support of advancing diversity and inclusion in the workplace.” Given the theme of innovation, speakers and attendees will focus on the “pipeline” and “Chief Diversity Officers will be asked to combine their ideas and knowledge to create a stra­tegic plan that can be considered for implementation across corporations, academic institutions and non-profit organizations to ensure a competent and diverse workforce for the future” says Ms. Perdue.

Diversity Matters will have an active presence at the conference by interviewing keynote speakers, honorees and presenters. These interviews will be aired on our radio show and made available via both the Diversity Matters and JBC Institute websites.

Our mission of engaging, celebrating and honoring the voices and efforts of people who work to build inclusiveness in their workplaces, communities and beyond will be served through a vehicle we call “Let Your Voice Be Heard.” During the conference we will be talking with attendees to get a pulse of a variety of points of view, feedback and questions.

If you have questions you’d like us to ask the CEO’s, CDO’s and other thought leaders during the conference, Let Your Voice Be Heard by sending us your questions in advance. We will do our best to pose your questions and then have responses broadcast on the Diversity Matters website and/or during one of our weekly segments.

We would love to see you in Greensboro North Carolina on March 20 – 22, 2007 as Diversity Matters covers the JBC Institute’s 4th annual Chief Diversity Officers Forum. If you are a leader or aspire to be a leader in your workplace or the world with respect to Diversity and Inclusion – this is one conference that you won’t want to miss. Attend the conference or tune in via Diversity Matters!

We are also thrilled to announce that Yolanda King, the first-born daughter of Coretta Scott King and Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. will be our first guest of season two, airing on Friday March 2nd at 10AM (eastern). Yolanda King’ is a living testament to the convergence of positive social, political and personal change - woman who was born to inspire and lead.

Stay tuned,

Richard Friend

Co-host