The Detroit LGBT Chamber of Commerce and the Michigan Diversity Council are partnering to present a virtual conference called Colours. The two-day event will take place May 13 and 14 and will focus on the importance of the LGBTQ+ presence in the workplace. Attendees will be offered best practices and educational support with an emphasis on supplier diversity, equity and inclusion. Currently, organizers are looking for speakers to present.
"We are looking for diverse, highly energetic speakers with knowledge of the LGBTQ community and who have a business and leadership acumen," said LGBT Chamber President Kevin Heard. "We have the conference divided up into three tracks: Business/Supplier Diversity, DEI and Human Resource Development. One main Panel is on Race and Privilege, which is a much-needed conversation. We also have all the topics and frameworks selected and would love speakers/moderators who can hop right in."
Sessions will include topics like Intersectionality: Our Identity and its Layers, which explores topics and situations that may create an internal conflict within oneself; ERGs/BRGs The Heartbeat of DEI — Leveraging business to move beyond the fun and festive; Corporate Responsibility: Standing in the Gap — Understanding diverse suppliers and their needs; and more.
"The audience needs to feel inspired after every session," Heard said. "We would love to hear case studies, statistics, stories about real-life experiences and key actions to put into practice immediately. Speakers need to step into their power and show their pride in their community.
"Every speaker should bring their whole self to the conference," Heard continued. "Practice what they preach. Our goal is to ensure this is conference will impact everyone that attends from the small business start-up to the HR professional. This is an opportunity to show your star power and build your brand, and, ultimately, help the community thrive. The region is full of talent. Let's put it on display."
The conference will also feature a keynote address and an awards presentation where local leader Nancy Schlichting — the former CEO of Henry Ford Health System — will be presented with the Allan D. Gilmour Award for Outstanding Leadership in Inclusion. Additional awards that will be presented at the conference include Small LGBTQ Business of the year; Corporation of the Year; Equity Champion of the Year; and LGBTQ Employee Resource Group of the Year.
Those interested in presenting at the conference should visit this link. The deadline to submit a conference session submission is March 13.
