Speakers

Doris is a native Rhode Islander with West African roots. She has a passion for entrepreneurship and the economic development of underrepresented…

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…

Matthew Voccola is a dynamic sales leader at Collette, know from his innovative strategies and sharp market insights. As a proud member of the…

Phanida Phivilay is the Health Equity Officer & Manager of Community Outreach at UnitedHealthcare Community & State Plan in Rhode Island. She is…

Experienced professional with a demonstrated history of working in the international trade and development industry. Strong operations background.…

A native Rhode Islander with a background in Software Engineering, Web Development, and Technical Support. Passionate about HealthTech, where I’ve…

Nishita Roy-Pope is an award-winning leader, former corporate leader at a Fortune 50 global tech company, founder, speaker, and author. As Founder &…

Jamila Brand is a healthcare operations expert with over 15 years of experience. She specializes in project management, data analytics, and…

With a steadfast focus on educational equity, Michelle Stanfield has distinguished herself as an insightful education consultant. Her career, ignited…

Monsurat Ottun currently serves as a Cybersecurity Advisor for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts at the cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security…

Luke is an entertainment attorney who counsels creative workers, small businesses, and nonprofits. In addition to his work at the Arts & Business…

Kristen Cordeiro is Deputy Director of Business Services at the RI Department of State. As Deputy, she is responsible for administering the Notary…

Neena S. Savage is an attorney with over 30 years of legal experience in the nonprofit, public, and private sectors. She holds a Bachelor of Science…

Marcela Betancur is the Executive Director of the Latino Policy Institute. For over a decade, she has focused on issues impacting Rhode Islanders,…

Rep. Enrique Sanchez (D-Dist. 9, Providence) was elected to the Rhode Island House of Representatives in November 2022. He is a member of the House…

Dr. Charles Ndifon is a well-known business strategist, Advisor to royalties, corporate leaders and presidents of nations on economic strategies,…

Teddi Jallow is a former refugee from the Gambia and the Executive Director and Co-Founder of the Refugee Dream Center. She is a leader in the global…

Muraina Akinfolarin is a retired state resident engineer for the construction of roads and bridges with the Rhode Island, Department of…

Shawndell Burney-Speaks, a Certified Relationship Coach and public speaker, served as the first Black female Senior Advisor to Providence’s Mayor and…

Omowunmi Akinlade is the president of the Proclaimer Christian Drama Ministry, a registered non profit organization in the state of RI. She currently…

Zoila Quezada’s services are at the intersection of individuals, teams and organizations. We need healthy individuals to lead healthy organizations;…

I am a Board Certified Nurse Practitioner. I graduated with my Bachelor’s in Nursing in 2009 and Masters in Nursing in 2017 from the University of…

Oyeniran Oyewale is an aspiring entrepreneur and founder of FHG Project LLC, Impactful Horizons Foundation, and For His Glory Project which is a non…

With almost 20 years of experience in human resources and DEIB, I am a collaborative, innovative, and strategic leader who has successfully advanced…

Raymond Two Hawks Watson is an attorney, advocate, educator, cultural practitioner, convener, and business professional with sixteen years of…

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…

Deborah S. Gonzalez is an attorney in Rhode Island and practices primarily in Immigration Law. She currently holds the position of Clinical Professor…

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…

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…

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…

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…

P. Bon Bakery LLC, a small business that specializes in artisanal cakes founded by owner Patrice Jean-Philippe. Patrice's passion for baking was…

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…

With over 30 years’ experience in both the purchasing and hospitality industries, Linda currently oversees Global Procurement for all entities under…

Shameem Awan is the Talent Management and DE&I Sr. Assistant Vice President in the Human Resources Department of Amica Insurance Company, Lincoln,…

Doris is a Solutions-focused, results oriented and accomplished leader with a proven record of successful implementation of high-stakes, demanding…

Keith W. Stokes of Newport, Rhode Island, presently leads the State of Rhode Island Division of Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion, serving as…

Victor Regino, of Latin descent, is a Programming Services Officer focused on advancing equity in Rhode Island. Outside of his work in contract…

As Minority Business Support Director, Olinda acts as the Liaison between Commerce and local organizations providing access to capital and technical…

Giovanni Prestipino is the visionary behind Epitome, a streetwear brand founded in 2020, and 1919, a fitness brand launched in 2024. Known for his…

Rose Albert (she, her) is the Executive Director of Rhode Island for Community and Justice (RICJ), a non-profit organization based in Providence, RI.…

Khamry Varfley is a passionate community member and entrepreneur which can be shown in her work as Entrepreneur Specialist for the Community…

Speaker, Author, Success Alchemist & Consultant, Entrepreneur, Mentor and Youth Advocate. My mission? It's all about weaving together the worlds of…

Ms. Moronta First Vice President of Community Development, DEI Officer at BayCoast Bank, has over 20 years in finance. She excels in team building,…

Cristopher Llópiz is a Financial Solution Advisor at a leading financial institution in the country, Commissioner in the Providence Human Relation…

Melba is a graduate of the University of Rhode Island where she received a B.A. in Political Science and a Masters in Human Development and Family…

Riley Jones, IV is a doctoral student at Harvard Graduate School of Education focusing on economic access and innovation.

Shonté Davidson, co-founder of Better Together Brain Trust (d/b/a BT2 Energy), has an eleven-year career in the energy sector, focusing on program…

Jim Vincent is currently the Community Outreach Officer at RIPTA. He is the immediate past president of the NAACP Providence Branch.

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…

Yemi Sekoni, a seasoned leader in Rhode Island's fashion and entertainment community, is a talent agent, show producer, and business mentor with over…

Evetty Satterfield, a Knoxville native and proud HBCU alumna of Alabama A&M University, is a distinguished leader in leadership development,…

Weayonnoh joined the Economic Progress Institute as executive director in January 2022, with a vision towards people-powered transformational and…

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.

Silvermoon Mars LaRose, a member of the Narragansett Tribe, is the Assistant Director of the Tomaquag Museum. She assists the Executive Director with…

Chazeen is a creative best known for her impactful contributions to digital media and broadcast television. As a Cynopsis-nominated video producer…

Dr. Ezenwayi Amaechi Ejiribe is an Associate Professor Faculty/Applied Learning Coordinator, Master of Public Health Program at Johnson & Wales…