Adapting to the current world pandemic has been a priority for us. You can now join our 2-day conference from the comfort of your home!
Our strength comes from our communities. Join us to learn more about how organizations across the country are driving social change, and hear inspiring stories from leadership in the nonprofit sector.
This world fashion festival brings a sense of culture and diversity using innovative and unique design. Featuring designers from across the globe:
Featuring designers from the Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico, Honduras, and Argentina.
Hear directly from CEOs from both large corporations and emerging companies about navigating current times.
Welcome to our 14th Annual National Business Leaders Virtual Conference & Awards Gala! We are in the midst of a Changing World and encourage you to register in order to strengthen your lead. It is in times like this that lend the opportunity for leadership to step up, get educated and implement the changes needed to advance their teams and companies. This is the time to get educated. This is the time to get motivated. This is the time to act! Register today for a mind-blowing, content-packed, dynamic conference with over 75 speakers that are experts in their respective industries and functions. And don’t worry; we are pulling no punches this year. Yes, we are ‘going there.’ You will learn, you will be inspired, you will have fun and you will walk away from the Conference prepared to go to the next level.
Since assuming office following her historic election, Mayor Lightfoot has undertaken an ambitious agenda of expanding opportunity and inclusive economic growth across Chicago’s neighborhoods and communities, with early accomplishments including landmark ethics and good governance reforms, worker protection legislation, and closing a record $838 million budget gap, as well as key investments in education, public safety and financial stability. Mayor Lightfoot also placed Chicago on the path to a $15 minimum wage by 2021.
In response to the unprecedented COVID-19 crisis, Mayor Lightfoot has led a coordinated, citywide response across government, business, and community organizations to effectively address its spread and broader public impact, including the creation of the Racial Equity Rapid Response Team, the COVID-19 Recovery Task Force, among other actions.
Edward Kopko served as chairman and CEO of Butler International for 23 years, overseeing a wide array of worldwide offices and sophisticated assignments. While there, he witnessed firsthand the importance of diversity and inclusion for long-term business success, and managed a global workforce of thousands that encompassed a multitude of diversity dimensions, ultimately supervising the integration of employees with extremely disparate backgrounds. In addition, he was the CEO and publisher of Chief Executive Magazine, a publication geared towards providing insight for and on C-level executives. His articles have appeared in the Wall Street Journal, Forbes and numerous other media outlets. He currently helms the Bold Business Group, a multifaceted media, technology and business solutions company, and is a graduate from Columbia University with a Master’s degree in Economics.
Ed is a 2019 Diversity MBA Impact Award winner, and a contributor to the Diversity Business Review. His book, “Project Bold Life: The Proven Formula to Take On Challenges and Achieving Happiness and Success” (due out summer, 2020), is an inspirational examination of how to conquer setbacks and live a bold life.
Miriam Harris Lewis is chief diversity and inclusion officer at Principal Financial Group®. In that role, she has global responsibility for designing, leading and implementing strategies that foster a more inclusive workplace, increase employee performance, drive better outcomes for customers, and ultimately improve business results.
Prior to joining Principal® in July 2019, Lewis worked for 16 years at The Clorox Company, where she earned roles of increasing responsibility in D&I and supply chain. She also co-chaired the company’s employee giving campaign, which generated about $9 million in donations for non-profit organizations. Lewis previously held positions with The Coca-Cola Company and First Family Financial Services, which was later acquired by Citigroup Financial Services.
Cesar Rolon Jr has an extensive and versatile background in community affairs, marketing, promotions, event planning and development. As a former radio and television executive, Cesar launched Imagen Marketing Consultants, a boutique agency specializing in multicultural and experiential marketing for over fifteen years ago.
Cesar has worked as a marketing consultant and outside advisor for companies such as City of Chicago, American Airlines, Miller Brewing Company, Coca Cola, Pepsi Cola, Univision Television, Southwest Airlines, Macys, Sears, Ford Motor Company, Chrysler Motor, Microsoft, Sally Beauty Supply, Sony Discos, Universal Music, McCormick Spice, Google, Diageo & Brown Forman Spirits and Walgreens just to name a few. Due to the current impact of Covid 19, Cesar co-founded the Illinois Unidos Initiative, a coalition of over 90 Illinois Elected.
Bruce is a visionary, entrepreneur, speaker, author, panelist, executive producer, writer, poet, consultant and social activist. He was born and raised in New York City. He has written poetry/prose & articles for over 40 years. His work has been published in major magazines, anthologies, and literary publications. He has written testimonials from the likes of Essence Magazine, Emerge Magazine, Class Magazine, Harlem River Press etc…
