The second annual Investing in Equity: Building an Inclusive Business Community 2023, was held Friday, June 9, 2023 at the St. Elizabeth Healthcare Training facility in Erlanger.
The event fostered conversations around diversity, equity, inclusion and advancement in the Northern Kentucky Metro business community, with speakers and breakout sessions for attendees.
Lillian Dukes, senior vice president of Technical Operations for Atlas Air, served as this year’s keynote speaker.
Dukes spoke about her recent move to the region, touching on some of the challenges she faced relocating, such as finding something as simple as a hairdresser specializing in cutting and styling African American hair nearby.
Dukes suggested that employers provide resources on a more personal level to assist new employees that relocated for a role to help the transition go smoother for new hires.
“Diverse teams are more innovative, and if employees are your best asset, they deserve the best themselves,” Dukes said.
Following the keynote presentation, panel discussions and breakout sessions were held to discuss topics such as recruiting and retaining top talent, supplier diversity, hiring persons with disabilities, and hiring and supporting veterans.
Breakout sessions included topics such as “Culture Matters: Why What Got us “Here”, won’t take us “There,” held by Chris Johnson, Chief Inclusion, Diversity, Equity and Belonging Officer at Frost Brown Todd, and “Establishing Associate Resource Groups to Support Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging in Your Organization!” Moderated by Tracy Stokes, Sr. Consultant, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion at St. Elizabeth Healthcare.
Check out the gallery of the speakers and attendees below.