2018 Diversity Summit "Courageous Conversations"
June 7, 2018
2018 MBC Diversity Summit Post Event Press Release
The Minority Business Council of West Alabama’s fourth annual Small Business Diversity Summit was held Tuesday, June 5 at the Bryant Conference Center and centered around the theme, “Courageous Conversations.”
Carolyn Tubbs is the Director of Education Programs at The Chamber of Commerce of West Alabama and has been present at this program all four years.
“MBC is a program of the Chamber of Commerce of West Alabama that focuses on fostering the growth and competitiveness of minority and women-owned businesses by providing networking and business educational opportunities,” Tubbs said. “The Diversity Summit is a great way to offer several of these opportunities at one time, as well as, an opportunity to make a real connection with other businesses, or organizations that can truly help with expanding a business.”
This year’s summit was structured upon issues related to both women and minority-owned businesses and offered a variety of educational and networking opportunities for those who could attend. Presenting sponsors were ARD Logistics-Alabama, LLC., and The University of Alabama College of Continuing Studies – Bama At Work. Gold sponsors included Bryant Bank, Stillman College, and TekLinks.
The lunch keynote speaker was Ms. Chapelle Davis who is vice president, chief diversity officer, and director of the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta’s Office of Minority and Women Inclusion. She also serves as an executive sponsor for the Women Inspiring Success and Empowerment employee resource network. Ms. Davis spoke about diversity, equity and inclusion in her own career as well as what she’s learned about diversity, equity and inclusion from other people and their career fields.
Angela Martin of Hunt Refining Company also spoke in her segment entitled Diversity in the Workplace. Her goal was for those listening to understand that there are certain types of workplace situations that need to be handled with sensitivity and how to make a difference in creating workplace environments comfortable for all employees.
Following Ms. Martin’s segment was Funding by Any Means Necessary which focused on financial advisories and money for businesses to market their products. Speakers pointed out how crucial marketing budgets can be for businesses and how to form relationships with bankers.
Before lunch, Dub Taylor from Dub Taylor Consulting spoke about how to reach Peak Performance Fast and how to capitalize on all resources. He also explained the importance of becoming comfortable with being uncomfortable.
At the end of the Summit, attendees were encouraged to visit the variety of vendors located behind the stage and table area. The 2018 vendors for this event are Alabama One Credit Union, Allstate Coley Agency, ARD Logistics-Alabama, Cadence Bank, Cenaur Building Services, DCH Employee Assistance Program, FNB of Central Alabama, The Legacy Connection, LiftFund, Renasant Bank, Trustmark Bank, TuscaBlue, The University of West Alabama, DBE Supportive Services, and Woodforest National Bank.