Jim Vincent
Jim Vincent
Community Outreach Officer, Rhode Island Public Transit Authority (RIPTA)
Jim Vincent is currently the Community Outreach Officer at RIPTA. He is the immediate past president of the NAACP Providence Branch. Currently, Jim is the board chairperson of East Bay Community Action Program (EBCAP) and he is the producer and host of the Jim Vincent television show. Jim is a former president of the Urban League of Rhode Island (ULRI), the Rhode Island Affirmative Action Professionals (RIAAP) and the Center for Hispanic Policy & Advocacy (CHISPA).
Friday, September 6th, 2:30PM - 4PM | Breaking New Ground: Opportunities for Equity In Emerging Industries Panel
Joe Wilson Jr.
Joe Wilson Jr.
Director Art, Culture & Tourism, City of Providence
Mr. Wilson, Jr. holds a BA in Political Science from the University of Notre Dame, and an MFA in Acting from the University of Minnesota/Guthrie Theatre training program. He has worked OnBroadway (2000 Tony Award-nominated production of Jesus Christ Superstar, and 2018 Tony Award-nominated Iceman Cometh starring Denzel Washington), Off Broadway, as well as performing in regional theaters around the country. He has taught acting, art activism, and lectured at high schools, colleges, universities and at conferences locally and around the country. Today, Wilson serves as the Director of Art, Culture and Tourism for the City of Providence. He serves on the boards of the Providence Tourism Council, the Providence/Warwick Convention and Visitors Bureau and WaterFire PVD.
Friday, September 6th, 12:30PM - 1:20PM | Industry insights: Arts, Culture & Entertainment Panel
Chazeen Pemberton
Chazeen Pemberton
TV Producer & Content Creator, Chazeen.com
Chazeen is a creative best known for her impactful contributions to digital media and broadcast television. As a Cynopsis-nominated video producer and speaker she's collaborated with top media outlets and Fortune 500 companies like NBC, BET, Complex Networks, Google, and the New York Times. Known for her rich resourcefulness and laid-back insights, Chazeen has also earned a loyal social media following of lifestyle enthusiasts who trust her life hacks on everything from wellness and beauty to travel and home design.
Friday, September 6th, 12:30PM - 1:20PM | Industry insights: Arts, Culture & Entertainment Panel
Sharon Ashley
Sharon Ashley
DJ LadyRuck
Sharon Ashley, better known as DJ LadyRuck, is a Rhode Island (RI) born DJ and local celebrity. With a massive RI following, she has been the opening DJ for concerts and shows for the likes of Styles P, Lil Kim, Soul for Real, Johnny Gill and August Alsina, to name a few. She has graced popular Rhode Island venues like The Strand Ballroom, Jovan’s Multiplex, Karma, Fete MusicHall, Troop Pvd, Alchemy, Art Bar, Mardi Gras, Low Key and Courtland Club. The popular DJ has also held residencies at RI staples such as Snubs,South St. Café and Jay L danas. Lady Ruck attributes her love of music to her late father who himself was a musician. She got her start as a radio host at WRIU while attending The University of RI. This ultimately led to her exploring the world of djing and began rocking college parties. After college Lady Ruck continued to spin records and hone her craft while also stepping out to pursue other endeavors. She assisted in bringing battle rap to the forefront of RI hip hop through the Duel of the Iron Mics competition which aired on Musicfeen.com where she participated in many internet radio shows including The Ladies Lounge. She is also a curator of events and is responsible for many memorable events/shows held in Rhode island such as the 401 Blend Battle which is going on its 3rd annual year which includes djs from several different states. In 2014, LadyRuck was crowned Rhode Island’s blend Queen after the much-heralded competition judged by the likes of DJ Juice and Dirty Harry, as well as local DJ’s Buck, Lefty, and Mike Nice. That same year she was named best night DJ in Providence by a local magazine called the Providence Phoenix. In 2022, She was awarded the Best Event/Wedding DJ Readers choice Award from the Providence Journal.Whether vinyl or serato, crates or hard drives, DJ LadyRuck has stood the test of time and proved that she is a heavyweight in the Rhode Island music industry and beyond. Respected by fans and peers alike, for her vast library and musical knowledge, she continues to rock parties, weddings, clubs, and any place looking for the highest of quality DJ with a superb ear and talent for moving ANY and ALL crowds.
Friday, September 6th, 12:30PM - 1:20PM | Industry insights: Arts, Culture & Entertainment Panel
Delia Rodriguez Masjoan
Delia Rodriguez Masjoan
Host, 12 Informa WPRI-TV
Friday, September 6th, 12:30PM - 1:20PM | Industry insights: Arts, Culture & Entertainment Panel
Silvermoon Mars LaRose
Silvermoon Mars LaRose
Assistant Director, Tomaquag Museum
Silvermoon Mars LaRose, a member of the Narragansett Tribe, is the Assistant Director of the Tomaquag Museum. She assists the Executive Director with managing the museum’s collections and archives, cultural education, and the Indigenous Empowerment projects. Silvermoon has worked in tribal communities for over 20 years, serving in the areas of health and human services and education. Throughout her career, she has had the opportunity to travel extensively, learning from Indigenous communities throughout the United States. Silvermoon is also a member of the Rhode Island Foundation’s inaugural cohort of the Equity Leadership Initiative. As a public servant, Silvermoon serves as the secretary for the Charlestown Conservation Commission, The Rhode Island Council on the Arts, The Rhode Island Historical Preservation and Heritage Commission, The Avenue Concept Board, and the Rhode Island Foundation Board. As an artist and educator, she hopes to foster Indigenous empowerment through education, community building, and the sharing of cultural knowledge and traditional arts. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology, a minor in Justice Law and Society from the University of Rhode Island, and continued her education in Rehabilitation Counseling at Western Washington University.
Friday, September 6th, 2:30PM - 3:20PM | Inclusive Excellence in Higher Education Panel
Tomas Avila
Tomas Avila
Associate Director for Intergovernmental Affairs & Outreach, Office of the Governor
Over the course of his career, he has worked for GE and sold real estate in Providence. Avila has served as both a political and business advisor.
Friday, September 6th, 9:30 AM - 10:45AM | Welcome & Kick Off
Toye Onikoyi
Toye Onikoyi
Owner, The Bubbler VR
Friday, September 6th, 9:00AM - 2:00PM | Lt. Governor's "Back to School, Back to Business!" Youth Entrepreneurship Boot Camp
Weayonnoh Nelson-Davies
Weayonnoh Nelson-Davies
Executive Director, The Economic Progress Institute
Weayonnoh joined the Economic Progress Institute as executive director in January 2022, with a vision towards people-powered transformational and equitable budget and policy changes in Rhode Island. Before joining EPI, Weayonnoh worked as a legal aid attorney at South Coastal Counties Legal Services and then Community Legal Aid (CLA), first as a staff attorney and then managing attorney of CLA's Worcester and Fitchburg offices. Her areas of expertise include general poverty law, medical-legal partnerships, the effect of structural racism on communities of color, public benefits, and housing law.
Saturday, September 7th, 10:00AM - 10:50AM | Shaping the Future: DEI Policies
Evetty Satterfield
Evetty Satterfield
Founder, Advancing Lives, LLC
Evetty Satterfield, a Knoxville native and proud HBCU alumna of Alabama A&M University, is a distinguished leader in leadership development, specifically for emerging adults. She is known for her excellence in strategic problem-solving and executive coaching, with a strong commitment to fostering equity and driving system-level transformative change in education and leadership.