Webster University’s 9th annual Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Conference will take place, free of charge, February 26-27, 2024, on our Webster Groves campus and virtually. To learn more about this year's conference, visit the Webster University's Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Conference website.
Among this year’s lineup of speakers and subject matter experts will be keynote speaker, The Rev. Dr. Starsky Wilson, president and CEO of the Children’s Defense Fund (CDF) and CDF Action Council.
(Snipped image 12/1/2023 from Webster University's Diversity, Inclusion & Equity website)
February 26, 2024, 7:00-8:30 pm (CST)
The Rev. Dr. Starsky Wilson serves as the president and CEO of the Children’s Defense Fund (CDF) and CDF Action Council. He is also the board chair for the National Committee for Responsive Philanthropy (NCRP) and the Forum for Theological Exploration (FTE).
Born in Dallas Texas, Dr. Wilson earned a bachelor’s degree in political science from Xavier University of Louisiana, a Master of Divinity from Eden Theological Seminary, and a Doctor of Ministry from Duke University.
From 2011 through 2020, Rev. Wilson was president & CEO of Deaconess Foundation, a faith-based philanthropy for child well-being and racial justice in St. Louis. From 2008 through 2018, Dr. Wilson also pastored Saint John’s Church (The Beloved Community), a multiracial congregation in the city. Under his leadership, the foundation constructed and established the Deaconess Center for Child Well-Being, a community action tank engaging thousands of citizens annually.
Starsky is married to Dr. LaToya Smith Wilson, a dentist and child advocate. They have four children.
Tue Feb 27, 8:00 AM - 9:00 AM CST (1 Hour)
Join us for this pivotal session as we delve into the intricate interplay of race and immigrant status, shedding light on ways U.S. colleges and universities are tying together racial equity efforts and immigration issues to serve diverse populations of immigrant-origin and international students.
Lisa Blazer, PhD (she/her/hers) - Vice President of Enrollment Management Webster University
Rajika Bhandari, PhD (she/her/hers) - Founder, Rajika Bhandari Advisors
Denver Muirhead (he/him/his) - Director of Strategic Operations and Growth, InUni
Mónica C. Paredes Tuesta '23 (she/her/hers) - Program Coordinator, Division of Enrollment, Webster University
Bhandari, R. and Welch, J. (2022, February 15). Immigration and Racial Equity for Immigrant and International Students. Higher Ed Immigration Portal. https://www.higheredimmigrationportal.org/effective_practice/immigration-and-racial-equity-for-immigrant-and-international-students/
Education Across Borders: Immigration, Race, and Identity in the Classroom, Watson Institute for International and Public Affairs, via YouTube.. May 21, 2022. A book launch featuring 2 authors of a book on educating Haitian and Dominican students in the US.
Tue Feb 27, 9:15 AM - 10:30 AM CST (1 Hour, 15 Min)
Join us for this thought-provoking session as we dissect the implications of the U.S. Supreme Court’s recent decision on affirmative action and its profound effects on diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) initiatives in the business and corporate realms.
Alisa Warren, PhD (she/her/hers) - Executive Director, Missouri Commission on Human Rights
Larnise Boain (she/her/hers) - Vice President of Global Diversity, Equity & Inclusion, Reinsurance Group of America, Inc.
Amy A. Hunter, PhD (she/her/hers) - Vice President of Global Diversity, Equity & Inclusion, Caleres, Inc.
Emma Lumpkins ’99 ’02 (she/her/hers) - Senior Director of Culture, Diversity, Equity & Inclusion, Schnuck Markets, Inc.
Webinar Recording: Impact of Supreme Court’s Fair Admissions Decisions on Employers and Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging Initiatives , Seyfarth, Jul 11, 2023
Business Implications of the U.S. Supreme Court's Ruling on Affirmative Action, Morrison Foerster, via YouTube, June 15th, 2023
Tue Feb 27, 11:00 AM - 12:15 PM CST (1 Hour, 15 Min)
Join us in this timely and meaningful session as we delve into the profound implications of the recent U.S. Supreme Court’s decision on affirmative action, specifically examining its ripple effect on donors, philanthropy, higher education and community organizations.
David Stiffler (he/him/his) - Director of Community Relations, Edward Jones
Kelvin Adams, PhD (he/him/his) - President & CEO and 2024 DEI Conference Awardee, St. Louis Community Foundation
Jennifer Bell (she/her/hers) - Director of Financial Aid, Webster University
Vanessa Cooksey ’16 (she/her/hers) - President & CEO, Regional Arts Commission of St. Louis
Faith Sandler (she/her/hers) - Executive Director, The Scholarship Foundation of St. Louis
Watkins, A. (2023, December 14). Becoming Advocates for Equity. Stanford Social Innovation Review. https://ssir.org/articles/entry/becoming_advocates_for_equity#:~:text=While%20the%20legal%20impact%20of,collect%20and%20apply%20demographic%20data
Yang, J. (2023, October 16). The Supreme Court’s decision on affirmative action requires reimagining equity initiatives in education. Philanthropy News Digest. https://philanthropynewsdigest.org/features/commentary-and-opinion/the-supreme-court-s-decision-on-affirmative-action-requires-reimagining-equity-initiatives-in-education
Tue Feb 27, 1:15 PM - 2:30 PM CST (1 Hour, 15 Min)
Join us for an insightful session delving into the reverberations of the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision on affirmative action and its profound implications for institutions of higher education.
Travis R. Kearbey, JD (he/him/his) - Managing Partner, St. Louis Office, Quarles & Brady LLP
Trent Ball (he/him/his) - Senior Director of Postsecondary Equity and Attainment, Missouri College and Career Attainment
D'Andre Braddix, EdD (he/him/his) - Executive Director of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion, St. Louis Community College
Algerian Hart, PhD (he/him/his) - Assistant to the President for Inclusive Engagement, Missouri State University
Saint Rice, Jr., EdD (he/him/his) - Assistant Dean of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion and Director of Faculty, Staff and Community Engagement, Washington University in St. Louis
Hinger, S.(2023, July 12). Moving Beyond the Supreme Court’s Affirmative Action Rulings. ACLU. https://www.aclu.org/news/racial-justice/moving-beyond-the-supreme-courts-affirmative-action-rulings
Volcy, M (2023, December 18). Supreme Court Affirmative Action Decision: Analysis and Resources. Rennie Center: Education, Research, & Policy. https://www.renniecenter.org/blog/supreme-court-affirmative-action-decision-analysis-and-resources
Tue Feb 27, 2:30 PM - 2:50 PM CST (20 Min)
Kelvin Adams, PhD (he/him/his) - President & CEO and 2024 DEI Conference Awardee, St. Louis Community Foundation
Katie Fields '19 (she/her/hers) - College Outreach Coordinator and 2024 DEI Conference Awardee, Starkloff Disability Institute
Tue Feb 27, 3:20 PM - 4:35 PM CST (1 Hour, 15 Min)
Join us as we dive into a thought-provoking discussion on the imperative to embrace an accurate and comprehensive portrayal of Black history in schools during this timely and illuminating session.
Carol A. Daniel (she/her/hers) - Senior Producer & Host, Nine PBS
Sharonica L. Hardin-Bartley, PhD (she/her/hers) - Superintendent, The School District of University City
Robin Jefferson Higgins, JD (she/her/hers) - Associate Professor, Webster University
Jody Sowell, PhD (he/him/his) - President & CEO, Missouri Historical Society
Annie Stevens, PhD (she/her/hers) - Adjunct Faculty, Webster University
King, L (2018, February 21). Interpreting Black History: Toward a Black History Framework for Teacher Education. Sage Journals. https://doi.org/10.1177/0042085918756716
Henry, A (2024, February 21). I Train Teachers to Teach Black History. Here’s What I’ve Learned. Education Week. https://www.edweek.org/teaching-learning/opinion-i-train-teachers-to-teach-black-history-heres-what-ive-learned/2024/02
