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Meet the Keynote Speakers

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Sharon Weston Broome
Mayor-President
City of Baton Rouge

@MayorBroome

 

Sharon Weston Broome is a firm believer in achieving progress through inclusion, innovation and

information. Since taking office, Mayor Broome has placed a heavy focus on improving the quality of life for citizens while building resiliency through infrastructure improvements. She has focused on

addressing transportation, drainage, public safety, education, economic development and revitalizing

neighborhoods. Mayor Broome is the first female Mayor-President of the City of Baton Rouge and East Baton Rouge Parish. She previously served as a Baton Rouge Metro City Council Member, a Louisiana State

Representative and a Louisiana State Senator.

 

Vanessa Gilmore
United States District Judge in the Southern District of Texas (Retired)

@vanessadgilmore

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In 1994 when Judge Vanessa Diane Gilmore was sworn in, she was then the youngest sitting federal judge in the nation. She grew up in Silver Spring, Maryland. Gilmore decided to undertake a career in law after she represented herself and won a minor civil lawsuit. She graduated from the University of Houston Law Center in 1981. Gilmore has served on the boards of Hampton University, the River Oaks Baptist School and the First Tee of Houston. She currently serves on the boards of the DePelchin Children’s Center and Texas Children’s Hospital.

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Deryl McKissack 
President & CEO 
McKissack & McKissack

Deryl is president and chief executive officer of McKissack & McKissack, managing over $15 billion in projects nationwide. During the past 30 years under her leadership, McKissack & McKissack has managed such landmark projects as the new Museum of African-American History and Culture on the National Mall, MGM National Harbor Casino, Navy Pier Centennial Projects in Chicago and served as the architectural firm of record for the Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial in Washington, DC. As a licensed professional engineer and registered project management professional, Deryl is part of the fifth generation of her family to work in the design and construction field. McKissack & McKissack is a continuation of the nation’s oldest African-American architectural firm. 

 

Featured Artist In Residence

Queen Cora Coleman 
Author, Producer, & International Drummer  

Queen Cora Coleman is an author, producer, business owner, scholar and international drummer who proudly hails from Houston, Texas (USA). Queen Cora graduated valedictorian of Kashmere High School (Houston, Texas) and received her Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree from Howard University, where she is a Distinguished Alumnus. Her 20-year music career reads like a Who’s Who having performed in 40 countries, before hundreds of thousands of attendees and millions of viewers. In addition to her 5-year tenure with Prince and 3-year tenure as drummer and band leader with Beyoncé, she is the only drummer to play in 2 of the Billboard’s Top 5 Super Bowl Half Time Shows with both artists. 

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Meet the Moderators & Panelists

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Chief Protocol Officer

Your Presence Is Important School of Etiquette

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University of North Texas at Dallas Student Regent

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Chief Community Affairs Officer

 Houston Airport System

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Cofounder & COO

ShearShare

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Vice President of Concessions

DFW International Airport

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Chief Strategist and Chief Transformation Officer

Google

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Retired Executive

Exxon Mobile

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Vice President & Director of Marketing

Bank of DeSoto

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CPA & Business Financial Advisor

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Independent Business Consultant 

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Executive Director

Zan Wesley Holmes, Jr. Community Outreach Center

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Executive Vice President, Head of Community Development & Corporate Responsibility

Texas Capital Bank

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Field Operations Manager

SRC Diversity Lead

General Motors

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President & CEO 

T. D. Jakes Foundation

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Founder & Principal Consultant

Reciprocity Consulting Group, Inc.

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Retire SVP & Chief Customer Officer

Oncor

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Founder and President

Alpha Business Images, LLC

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Vice President of Innovation Strategy  Salesforce

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Kennedy Management Consulting

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Multi-Unit Franchisee

RaeLawson Enterprise

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Vice President of Business Diversity & Development

DFW International Airport

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CEO

Cynthia Mickens Enterprises

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Hospital Neurologist

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Business Consultant & Social Entrepreneur

Jasmine Ohen Consulting LLC

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Philanthropist

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Vice President

Parrish Charitable Foundation

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CEO 

Debra's Healing Kitchen

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Executive Director

Soul Reborn, Inc.

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Co-Founder and CEO  Kanarys, Inc.

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Best-selling author, Wellness/Travel Expert

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Founder and Managing Partner of The Law Offices of Erika N. Salter, P.C.

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Retired Attorney

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Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer of POWERHANDZ Inc.

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Deputy City Manager

City of Dallas

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First Daughter of

Houston, TX

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Vice President & Program Manager / Aviation  Parsons Corporation

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Founder & President

Christians In Public Service

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Portfolio Manager

Motors Holding

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Founder

Christ~ARTS Ministries®

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CEO & Founder No Silos Communications, LLC

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Chief Digital Engagement Officer​

Dallas College

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Chief of Staff

Dallas Independent School District

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Dealer Principal 

Toyota of Cedar Park

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General Manager

American Chevrolet

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Empower!

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Strengthen!

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Transform!

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