Blake Johnson
Blake Johnson
Associate Attorney, Sheehan & Associates Law
Blake Johnson is a Rhode Island native, born and raised in Providence. She was a part of the 3+3 program at Roger Williams University with an undergraduate degree in Legal Studies and Philosophy, graduating cum laude in 2019. She then graduated from Roger Williams School of Law in 2021. While in law school, Blake focused on business and transactional classes and was a part of the Business Start-up Clinic. She was also a student ambassador and Vice President of the Alliance. She is a member of the Rhode Island Women Bar Association on the Events Planning Committee, a Co-Founder of the Cannabis Policy Coalition and a Council member for RISCA. She is licensed to practice in New York, Rhode Island and Massachusetts. Blake is the founder and co-owner of Black Dragonfly Events LLC, a full service event planning company that specializes in fundraisers and social events. She enjoys reading, baking, and spending time with her turtle and family. In her spare time, she is an amateur photographer and cosplayer.
Saturday, September 7th, 12:00PM - 2PM | Free Legal Clinic
Deborah S. Gonzalez
Deborah S. Gonzalez
Founding Partner, Gonzalez Law Offices
Deborah S. Gonzalez is an attorney in Rhode Island and practices primarily in Immigration Law. She currently holds the position of Clinical Professor of Law at Roger Williams University School of Law and is the director of its Immigration Clinic. She is also one of the founding partners of Gonzalez Law Offices, Inc in East Providence. She is a 2007 graduate of Roger Williams University School of Law. Debbie has dedicated her career to help immigrants in Rhode Island obtain lawful status in the U.S. and/or to help fight against deportation.
Saturday, September 7th, 12:00PM - 2PM | Free Legal Clinic
Monsurat Ottun
Monsurat Ottun
Cybersecurity Advisor & Founder, CISA/ MOCCA
Monsurat Ottun currently serves as a Cybersecurity Advisor for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts at the cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), an entity within the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). Her role involves enhancing the state's cyber resilience in collaboration with key partners. Her professional advancement is rooted in her time as an attorney for the City of Providence, where she distinguished herself by spearheading the development of the city’s cybersecurity infrastructure. This initiative led to her promotion to the city's first Chief Information Security, Data Privacy, and Risk Management Strategist, where she forged significant interagency relationships and laid the foundation for robust cybersecurity practices. Subsequently, Monsurat's career path led her to PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC), where she directed key project initiatives related to data privacy and protection as well as data and AI governance within the Business Services sector, specifically Products and Technology. She holds a Juris Doctor from Roger Williams University School of Law and an M.S. in Cybersecurity Governance and Policy from Boston College, supplementing her expertise with certifications including a Certification in Security management (CISM) and specialized certificates in AI and Cybersecurity from Harvard’s Kennedy School.
Monsurat is an active member of several advisory boards, lending her cybersecurity insights to both educational and industry leadership circles. Her mission is firmly centered on elevating cyber and AI practices to create a secure and unbiased technological environment.
Friday, September 6th, 3:30PM - 4:20PM | The Role of Diversity in Technological Innovation
Saturday, September 7th, 12:00PM - 2PM | Free Legal Clinic
Dariela Rivas
Dariela Rivas
General Manager, Fogo de Chão
Saturday, September 7th, 12:00PM - 12:50PM | Diverse Flavors, Inclusive Business: How Diversity is Shaping the Future of the Food and Beverage Industry
Edmund Addai
Edmund Addai
Owner, Stack House
Edmund Addai, CEO of Stack House, is a leader in promoting diversity in business. Awarded the 2024 SBA Rhode Island Young Entrepreneur of the Year and 2023 RIBBA Isaac Rice Entrepreneur of the Year, Edmund's commitment to inclusive practices and innovative strategies makes him an insightful voice on diversity in the business world as a featured panelist.
Saturday, September 7th, 12:00PM - 12:50PM | Diverse Flavors, Inclusive Business: How Diversity is Shaping the Future of the Food and Beverage Industry
Martha Perez Barton
Martha Perez Barton
Director of Incubation, Hope & Main
Martha Perez-Barton is the Director of Incubation at Hope & Main where she works with new and onboarding member businesses to assist them to launch and scale through the early stages of start-up. Her previous roles include: Business Assistance Advisor for RI Commerce Corp, Director of Operations and Programs for RIHCC (Rhode Island Hispanic Chamber of Commerce)
Saturday, September 7th, 12:00PM - 12:50PM | Diverse Flavors, Inclusive Business: How Diversity is Shaping the Future of the Food and Beverage Industry
Julius Kolawole
Julius Kolawole
Director & Cofounder, African Alliance of Rhode Island
Julius Kolawole is the Director and Cofounder of the African Alliance of Rhode Island (AARI). He is responsible for the operation of AARI's core programs: Food, Art, Culture, and Health. He established an urban community garden for AARI in 2009 and currently runs six urban gardens in South Providence. For the past eight years, Julius has led the AARI Urban gardening program, specializing in growing, selling and making value-added products from African vegetables grown in South Providence. Since 2012, he has led eight of the growers to selling their produce at Armory Farmers Market in West-End of Providence and Winter Farmers Market in Pawtucket. In 2015, he implemented a very successful “grow your own food” initiative for community residents and value-added products such as carrot/apple jam and relish made from garden eggs. He advocates and promotes community vitality by engaging different cultures at the farmer's market, cooking demonstration, Food as Medicine, in addition to African oral food stories and proverbs.
Saturday, September 7th, 12:00PM - 12:50PM | Diverse Flavors, Inclusive Business: How Diversity is Shaping the Future of the Food and Beverage Industry
Briana Azier
Briana Azier
Owner & Head Treat Maker, Bri's Sweet Treats
Briana Azier, MBA is the proud Owner and Head Treat Maker at Bri’s Sweet Treats. Bri’s Sweet Treats is the #1 Chocolate and candy shop in Central Mass and it is located in the Worcester Public Market on 160 Green St, Worcester. Bri started her business in her home kitchen and is a business born and raised out of the ashes of the pandemic!
Saturday, September 7th, 12:00PM - 12:50PM | Diverse Flavors, Inclusive Business: How Diversity is Shaping the Future of the Food and Beverage Industry
Patrice Jean-Philippe
Patrice Jean-Philippe
Owner, P.Bon Bakery, LLC
P. Bon Bakery LLC, a small business that specializes in artisanal cakes founded by owner Patrice Jean-Philippe. Patrice's passion for baking was ignited after watching the Great British Bake Show during the COVID-19 pandemic. She then decided to take her baking skills to the next level by creating her own business.
P. Bon Bakery offers custom-made cakes in three delicious flavors: Haitian Vanilla, a recipe passed down from her mother, chocolate, and carrot cake. Each cake is made to order using Patrice's special buttercream recipe that gives each cake a unique flavor and texture. In addition to her busy work schedule, Patrice is also a devoted wife and mother of three amazing boys. She balances her family life with her love of baking, and often involves her children in the baking process as a fun activity they can all enjoy together. We believe that every event should be special and memorable, and we would love to help you create a cake that is both beautiful and delicious. We invite you to follow our journey and be the first to know about our new flavors and designs, be sure to check out our Facebook and Instagram pages.
Saturday, September 7th, 12:00PM - 12:50PM | Diverse Flavors, Inclusive Business: How Diversity is Shaping the Future of the Food and Beverage Industry
Angelyne Cooper-Bailey
Angelyne Cooper-Bailey
Executive Counsel, Rhode Island Department of Labor & Training
In January of 2021, by a unanimous vote of the Cranston City Council, Angelyne E. Cooper became the first attorney of color nominated and appointed to serve as a judge on the Cranston Municipal Court. Currently, she serves as Executive Counsel for the Rhode Island Department of Labor and Training. She also teaches at Roger Williams University School of Law as an adjunct professor. Her prior legal experience includes prison litigation monitoring to ensure that incarcerated individuals with mental health illness received constitutionally adequate mental health care and providing advice and counsel on a wide range of legal issues as an attorney for Rhode Island Legal Services and the City of Providence. She also served as a Law Clerk for the Honorable O. Rogeriee Thompson on the First Circuit Court of Appeals. She earned her J.D. from Roger Williams University School of Law, cum laude, and served as President of the Black Law Students Association and a member of the Multi-Cultural Law Students Association. She graduated summa cum laude with a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice from Utica College of Syracuse University. In 2023, she was appointed by Speaker Shekarchi to serve on the Cannabis Advisory Board. Since 2014 she has served as a Commissioner for the Rhode Island Commission for Human Rights. She is also a former member of the Board of Directors for the Rhode Island Center for Justice, Genesis Center, and the Rhode Island Urban Debate League.