Good afternoon,
We are excited to announce the release of tickets for the inaugural 2023 Lens of Equity Summit!
Thursday, May 18, 2023
McGavick Conference Center – Clover Park Technical College
Presented by the Pierce County Community Engagement Task Force (powered by WorkForce Central), the 2023 Lens of Equity Summit will provide tangible tools and information on how to
build healthy Diversity, Equity, Access, and Inclusion (DEAI) frameworks for organizations, leadership, individuals, workplaces, and our community.
Featuring keynote speakers, presentations and workshops, educational resources, and more, the summit will demonstrate how organizations, businesses, and individuals can be action-oriented
in implementing equity work in Pierce County. Rather than having more general or generic discussion, the Lens of Equity Summit will focus on specific and actionable steps you can take starting tomorrow to truly implement DEAI work and effect greater change.
The full-day event will be held on Thursday, May 18, 2023 at Clover Park Technical College’s McGavick Conference Center in Lakewood.
Early bird tickets are now available on Eventbrite through March 31.
Standard, general admission ticket sales begin April 1.
Additional information about the summit, including our presenters, workshops, resources, and event schedule can be found
on our website.
KEYNOTE SPEAKERS
MORNING
KEYNOTE
SHATTER THE GLASS
Ronaldo Hardy MSHRLD, CUDE, CUERME
Chief People Officer and Co-Owner, CU Strategic Planning
Ronaldo Hardy MSHRLD, CUDE, CUERME is Chief People Officer and Co-Owner of CU Strategic Planning. He leads its Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, Belonging and Accessibility services,
which include a full range of assessments, training and consulting. As CEO of Southwest Louisiana FCU, he put these practices into action, developing a powerful and successful executive team, and now draws on that experience in CU Strategic Planning’s DEIBA
consulting and certification services. He’s a highly sought-after speaker, having presented to CUNA Management School, CUES, and the NCUA's Inaugural Diversity Summit to name just a few.
AFTERNOON
KEYNOTE
WHAT DO YOU LOVE? THE COURAGE TO LEAD EQUITY
Jahmad Canley
CEO & Senior Consultant, Potential Unleashed Consulting
Jahmad Canley has an endless dedication to empowerment and education for all people. He is internationally known as a top-level culture transformation consultant, peak performance
coach, author and masterful storyteller. Jahmad focuses on helping people and organizations accomplish their goals and fulfill their potential in their personal, professional, and organizational lives. His passion for helping others unleash their potential
has provided him the privilege of working with top organizations such as Microsoft, Amazon, Western Union, LA Phil Harmonic Symphony, USA Swimming and many more.
FEATURED PRESENTERS
Tafona
Ervin, Ed. D
Executive Director, Foundation for Tacoma Students
PANEL: CULTURE SHOCK: THE SUCCESSES AND MISSTEPS OF INTEGRATING DEAI AND CHANGING ORGANIZATIONAL DIRECTION
Dr. Tafona Ervin is a dedicated advocate for equitable education with more than 15 years of service in education and several years of experience leading transformation work in a place-based
community setting. Dr. Ervin lends a level of strategic visioning and action that resonates with both decision-makers, as well as the often overlooked and under-valued voices and experiences of stakeholders impacted by decisions.
Dr. Ervin has a proven track record of successfully applying promising practices locally. Serving as the Executive Director for the Foundation for Tacoma Students, Dr. Ervin partners
with more than 350 community partners that make up a coalition of advocates aligning to a shared vision and community-built goal that supports Tacoma’s youngest residents in achieving success from cradle to college and career.
Krista
Perez
Lead Consultant, Perez Consulting
PRESENTATION: MOVING PAST THE CALL TO ACTION & ACCOUNTABILITY
Krista Perez’s work is anchored by anti-racist, equitable and community-centered engagement. This perspective is afforded to her by way of Krista’s identity as a second generation
immigrant and descendant of a migrant working family. These experiences have influenced her commitment to community building, 1:1 executive leadership coaching with a DEAI lens, and facilitating anti racist and equity focused conversations, spaces and training.
Krista is a Qualified Administrator for the Intercultural Development Inventory, has a BA in Law, Economics and Public Policy and is the president and founder of the nonprofit organization,
the Tacoma Women of Color Collective, is the co-founder of The Community Market, (a People of Color-centered market that promotes community engagement, economic development and mobility), and Perez Consulting, an anti racism and diversity, equity, access and
inclusion firm.
Karissa
Thompson
Community Engagement Officer, Red Canoe Credit Union
PRESENTATION: YOUR ALLYSHIP JOURNEY AND BEYOND
As a Community Engagement Officer for Red Canoe Credit Union, Karissa spends her time and focus on building community and finding ways to inspire healthy culture through a lens of
equity and inclusion for all. Fully supported by a credit union that recognizes the value of community investment, she is able to identify need, create resources and build coalition. She serves on several boards, assists businesses, non-profits and schools
in training, collaboration and works with local leaders to help make our community a better place. Her passion and purpose is helping others find theirs.
FEATURED GUEST
Christian
Paige
EMMY-NOMINATED POET
Performing Spoken Word at the 2023 Lens of Equity Summit
Christian Paige is an Emmy-nominated spoken word poet, a professional speaker and educator who speaks at schools, conferences, and events across the United States. Paige has spoken
to hundreds of thousands of people and loves to work with young people who are committed to doing good in the world. Paige is a first-generation college graduate, an Actsix Scholar and is passionate about community, anti-racism, equity, and empowerment. He
has spent his entire career in and around education advocating for historically marginalized populations and working to create equitable environments where young people can thrive.
Bringing our Pierce County community together in one place at one time,
the 2023 Lens of Equity Summit will provide the tools and information needed to help redesign services and systems in which no one is pushed aside or left behind. We look forward to seeing you there!
Best,
The Pierce County Community Engagement Task Force
Kelly Blucher (She/Her)
Community Engagement & Outreach Coordinator
kblucher@workforce-central.org
Phone:
253-533-1662
3640 South Cedar Street, Suite E | Tacoma, WA 98409
Partnering in pursuit
of GREATER ECONOMIC VITALITY FOR ALL
EQUAL OPPORTUNITY - EQUAL ACCESS
WorkForce Central is an equal opportunity employer/program. Auxiliary aids and services are available upon request for individuals with disabilities. Washington Relay Service – 711.