Ballroom doors will open at 11:15am. 

Hosted by: Olivia West 

Introduced in 1994, leading organizations such as the Billion Dollar Roundtable and NMSDC have embraced The RGMA Five Levels as the gold standard for benchmarking corporate supplier diversity programs worldwide. Although the current health, social, and financial crises have amplified the urgency to reimagine supplier diversity, the need for change has been building for three decades, fueled by the following factors:

• Digital disruption
• Demographic disruption
• The advent of strategic sourcing
• Increased reliance on global supply chains
• Expanded focus on economic, social, and environmental sustainability
• Increased importance of diversity, equity, and inclusion

The reimagining of the RGMA Five Levels coincides with the next normal in business strategy. Corporations must be digital, agile, and customer-focused while implementing an impactful approach to engage diverse suppliers, service providers, and business partners.  This strategy will help position your diverse procurement relationships as strategic assets that build your sales, brand, and reputation while helping underserved communities thrive.

Moderator: Marc Ellis, Director of Supplier Diversity, Mid-States MSDC

Come join us for a fun Sneaker Ball themed networking reception!

Opening Remarks:

Dr. Demetrius Glover - Demetrius Glover, CEO/President, Mid-States MSDC

Daryle Johnson – VP of Strategy, Mid-States MSDC

Motivational Speaker: “Don’t Tell Stories”

Sales will triple after ‘DON’T TELL STORIES’ Akeem's signature keynote that reveals the secrets of his Story-based Sales System. Your attendees will leave energized and motivated as he shares this message: “If you can craft better stories around your founding, your mission, and most importantly your customers…You. Will. Win! And so will your customers.” Akeem will share the stories of how he became the #1 Sales Professional at two Fortune 500 companies before the age of 25, and how he scaled his business Flipstik to one of the top 50 fastest-growing product brands in the US. So, remember, Don’t Tell Stories…Sell Stories!

Artificial Intelligence has the potential to revolutionize the way we live and work. But what does it really mean for you? Join us as we demystify AI and provide a clear understanding of its core principles. We will discuss the essential knowledge you need to navigate the AI landscape and shed light on how to approach AI strategically.

Presented by: Rajan Cutting, Management Consulting Analyst, World Wide Technology

This presentation aims to educate entrepreneurs on the importance of IP protection, particularly trademarks and equips them with the knowledge and tools necessary to navigate the complexities of IP management, mitigate risks, and leverage their brand assets for sustainable growth and profitability.

Presented by: Soroya Garner, ESQ, Soroya Garner Law

In an era where Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives are increasingly scrutinized and challenged, the "Attack on DEI" panel brings together a diverse group of experts to discuss the complexities, challenges, and the path forward for DEI in various sectors. This panel will explore how recent backlash against DEI efforts is shaping the future of workplace and educational inclusivity, public policy, legal frameworks, and political discourse. Panelists from education, the public sector, legal fields, politics, and the private sector will share their perspectives and expertise on navigating these turbulent times for DEI.

Moderated by:

Brian Richardson, Senior Advisor to the Vice Provost of Student Life, Indiana University

Panelist:

Christi Martin, Associate Director of Pathway Programs, Indiana University

Jacqueline Gaston, Assistant Vice President of Advancement for Diversity, Inclusion and Belonging, Purdue for Life Foundation

Ben Tapper, Chief Diversity & Equity Officer, City of Indianapolis

Doneisha Posey, Executive Vice President and General Counsel, Black onyx Management, Inc.

Whitley Yates, Founder, The Niche Agency

Jimmie McMillan, Senior Corporate Counsel, Indianapolis Motor Speedway

Presented by: Akilah Darden, Founder and President, The Darden Group, LLC

"Capital Pathways" is a dynamic discussion that will provide invaluable insights into securing business financing. Our esteemed panelists from top financial and support institutions will outline practical steps, share success stories, and offer forward-thinking strategies for accessing capital.

Panelist:

Ruben Rodriguez, Business Consortium Fund

Leo Lopez, Old National Bank

Natalie Vazquez, Bankable

Agnes Theodossiou, Business Ownership Initiative

Sharon Harvey, Small Business Administration

This breakout session aims to demystify technology for MBE small business owners, showing how digital tools and solutions can be easily integrated into any type of business to drive growth, improve customer engagement, and streamline operations. The goal is for attendees to leave with a practical playbook tailored to the unique needs of small businesses, enabling them to make informed decisions about their technology investments.

Presented by:

Michelle Wilson, Client Executive, Zones, LLC

Suzy Quandt, Global Advanced Technology Executive, Zones, LLC

“A Platform for Change” 2023Procurement Conference Success Stories

Moderated by: Olivia West,

The Reverse Pitch Competition is designed to flip the traditional pitch model, providing corporations with the unique opportunity to present their supplier diversity initiatives and programs offered by your company to mentor, coach, and develop MBEs, upcoming projects, needs, and opportunities to a diverse audience of minority business enterprises (MBEs). This platform is not only about sharing what you seek in a supplier but also about building bridges that support diversity and inclusion within your supply chain.

Hosted by: Olivia West & Akeem Shannon