2023 Agenda

The Dream Summit & Exposition will run from
8:00 AM to 5:00 PM on September 15th, 2023.

Main Stage & Events

A brief overview of the Dream Summit and Exposition main stage and events agenda

Welcome and Introduction of Morning Keynote
Dr. Mike Haynie
Main Stage
Sep 15, 2023
8:30 am
8:45 am

Welcome and Introduction of Morning Keynote

The Sky is Not the Limit.
Venus Quates
Main Stage
Sep 15, 2023
8:50 am
9:20 am

The Sky is Not the Limit.

Building a New Era of Opportunity for Central New York (Virtual Presentation)
Sanjay Mehrotra
Main Stage
Sep 15, 2023
9:25 am
9:40 am

Building a New Era of Opportunity for Central New York (Virtual Presentation)

DEI Panel: Redefining & Reshaping Diversity Initiatives (panelists listed in breakout session tab)
Main Stage
Sep 15, 2023
9:45 am
10:35 am

DEI Panel: Redefining & Reshaping Diversity Initiatives (panelists listed in breakout session tab)

Clarifying the Dream & A Call to Action
Dr. Frederick D. Haynes III
Main Stage
Sep 15, 2023
10:40 am
11:20 am

Clarifying the Dream & A Call to Action

Breakout Sessions 1: Educational breakout sessions
Main Stage
Sep 15, 2023
11:25 am
12:25 pm

Breakout Sessions 1: Educational breakout sessions

Lunch/Networking: Grab a bite and connect with fellow attendees.
Main Stage
Sep 15, 2023
12:30 pm
1:30 pm

Lunch/Networking: Grab a bite and connect with fellow attendees.

Welcome Back/Recap: We'll recap the morning's highlights and set the stage for the afternoon.
Main Stage
Sep 15, 2023
1:35 pm
1:45 pm

Welcome Back/Recap: We'll recap the morning's highlights and set the stage for the afternoon.

Technology Panel: Surveying the Landscape & Claiming our Space (panelists listed in breakout session tab)
Main Stage
Sep 15, 2023
1:50 pm
2:50 pm

Technology Panel: Surveying the Landscape & Claiming our Space (panelists listed in breakout session tab)

Breakout Sessions 2: Educational breakout sessions
Main Stage
Sep 15, 2023
2:55 pm
3:55 pm

Breakout Sessions 2: Educational breakout sessions

Networking Break: Take a moment to interact with other summit participants.
Main Stage
Sep 15, 2023
4:00 pm
4:10 pm

Networking Break: Take a moment to interact with other summit participants.

Closing Keynote Speaker
Dr. Michael Eric Dyson
Main Stage
Sep 15, 2023
4:15 pm
4:55 pm

Closing Keynote Speaker

Eli Smith & El-Java Abdul-Qadir, Co-Founders of My Dream Summit Inc: Closing Remarks
El-Java Abdul-Qadir
Main Stage
Sep 15, 2023
4:55 pm
5:00 pm

Eli Smith & El-Java Abdul-Qadir, Co-Founders of My Dream Summit Inc: Closing Remarks

Breakout Sessions

A brief overview of the Dream Summit and Exposition breakout sessions

Moderator:

Monica Williams, Chief Diversity and Inclusion Officer at Onondaga County

Breakout Sessions
Sep 15, 2023
9:45 am
10:35 am

DEI Panel

Fran Dillard, Vice President and Chief Diversity Inclusion Officer at Micron Technology

Egwu Nwankpah, Head of Supplier Diversity and Development at Cushman & Wakefield

John Terrell, Senior Manager of Supplier Diversity & Development at Floor & Décor

Location: 

Main Stage

Theme:

Panelists will engage in an open discussion about the significance of diversity, Equity, and Inclusion within their respective public and private organizations. They will also share best practices that display a commitment to supplier diversity. Finally, these subject matter experts will also explore controversial topics such as “The de-funding of diversity initiatives”, “strategies for advancing equity”, and “the shifting face of diversity officers”.

Moderator:

Savion Pollard, United States Navy Veteran, Syracuse University Student & Recent hire at Micron Technology

Breakout Sessions
Sep 15, 2023
11:25 am
12:25 pm

Transitioning from the Military to Business

Venus Quates, President & CEO at LaunchTech, LLC

Christopher Dambach, CEO of Industry Standard USA

Karen Jones, President & CEO of EcoElectrical Solutions, LLC

Location: 

Theme:

These successful entrepreneurs will share how the skills developed in the military has contributed to their success in business.

Moderator:

Tamika Otis, Corporate Responsibility & Community Relations Officer at Key Bank, CEO/Principal Consultant at KABOD Consulting Group LLC, Equity Warrior

Breakout Sessions
Sep 15, 2023
11:25 am
12:25 pm

Philanthropy and Successful Non-Profit Management

Nancy Kern Eaton, President at United Way of Central New York

Kate Houck, Chief Energy Officer at David’s Refuge

Sam Rowser, Executive Director at On Point for College

Kevin Bailey, Salesforce Public Sector Market Lead at Crowe, LLP

Location: 

Theme:

These industry area experts will discuss successful non-profit management and the innovative use of technology in securing funding, sharing their vision, and bringing their missions to life.

Moderator:

Vicki R. Brackens, CHFC, President & Financial Planner at Brackens Financial Solutions Network, LLC

Breakout Sessions
Sep 15, 2023
11:25 am
12:25 pm

Financial Security: Building, Establishing, and Maintaining Wealth

Sean Ramsaywak, North East Division Area Manager Minority Entrepreneurs at JPMorgan Chase & Co.

Mark Muthumbi, Regional President CNY Region/VP Commercial Sales Eastern Markets at Excellus BCBS

Demetrius Murphy, Vice President | Branch Manager Lyons National Bank

Location: 

Theme:

Explore financial literacy factors related to establishing and maintaining intergenerational wealth such as Banking, Real estate, Retirement/estate planning, and other Investment activities.

Moderator:

Commander LaMar Henderson, MSW, LICSW, BCD, Branch Chief for the North-East Central Services Division, for the Division of State HIV/AIDS Programs in HRSA’s HIV/AIDS Bureau (HAB)

Breakout Sessions
Sep 15, 2023
11:25 am
12:25 pm

Health & Wellness

Corey Minor Smith, Attorney • Author • Award-winning Advocate

Dr. Zina Barry President at Berry Good Dental Care, P.C. (Pending)

Kristin Thompson Henry, American Heart Association

Location: 

Theme:

These professionals within the healthcare field will discuss disparities and factors that impact communities of color around the country. The focus will be on successful strategies to promote and maintain a healthy and productive life.

Moderator:

J. Andrew Breuer, President of Hueber-Breuer Construction

Breakout Sessions
Sep 15, 2023
11:25 am
12:25 pm

Family Business

Emmanuel Henderson, President at JHP Industrial Supply Company, Inc.

Dave Nutting, Chairman & CEO at VIP Structures, Inc.

John Woznicka, President of JPW Companies

Location: 

Theme:

These successful business owners discuss intergenerational wealth from an entrepreneurship perspective and share strategies for maintaining growth in a changing environment across generations.

Moderator:

Yusuf Abdul-Qadir, Product Policy Manager at Facebook

Breakout Sessions
Sep 15, 2023
1:50 pm
2:50 pm

Technology Panel

Kelsey Davis, Founder & CEO at CLLCTVE (Forbes 30 Under 30 Techstars) Workforce/ Staffing/ Creator Economy

Evin Robinson, President of America On Tech (Forbes 30 Under 30 and Black Enterprise Modern Man): Tech non profit focusing on closing the wealth gap in underestimated communities.

Erin Horne-McKinney, National Executive Director/Advocate for Black & HBCU Businesses/Award-winning Entrepreneur & C-suite Executive/Board Director at Howard University.

Location: 

Main Stage

Theme:

These dynamic panelists will discuss their experiences (challenges and opportunities) in their respective niches of technology. They will also explore their motivation, their experiences in the investment process, scaling their companies, as well as emerging technologies including the role of Artificial Intelligence (AI), the impact of facial recognition technology, etc.

Moderator:

Dr. Marcelle Haddix, Associate Provost for Strategic Initiatives and Professor in the School of Education at Syracuse University

Breakout Sessions
Sep 15, 2023
2:55 pm
3:55 pm

The Value of Education

Anthony Q. Davis Sr., Syracuse City School District Superintendent

Dr. Don C. Sawyer, VP for Diversity, Inclusion and Belonging: Associate Professor of Sociology at Fairfield University

Dr. Khurram Hussain, VP for Equity & Inclusion: Associate Professor of Education Studies at Middleberry College.

Location: 

Theme:

This session will discuss the role of education (primary, secondary, public, and private) in addressing the Racial Wealth Gap.

Moderator:

Dr. Emad Rahim, PMP, CSP-SM, CMgr, Fullbright Recipient, UN Empact Honoree, Award- Winning Educator, Best Selling Author, Changemaker.

Breakout Sessions
Sep 15, 2023
2:55 pm
3:55 pm

Realizing the Dream: Entrepreneurial Success Amongst Immigrants, Refugees, and New Americans

Faraz Khan, Principal of CPC Development

Laura Cueva, President/CEO at Interior Innovations

Tai Shaw President/CEO at CNY Uniforms Plus

Location: 

Theme:

These successful entrepreneurs from immigrant and refugee backgrounds share their experiences adjusting to the American Entrepreneurial landscape.

Moderator:

Melanie Littlejohn, Vice President at National Grid

Breakout Sessions
Sep 15, 2023
2:55 pm
3:55 pm

Civic Engagement

Bo Machayo, Director of Government and Public Affairs, Micron Technology

Joanie Mahoney, President of the SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry

Otis Jennings, Educational and Diversity Consultant

Location: 

Theme:

These expert panelists will discuss effective strategies for building, maintaining, and navigating relationships with government entities and public officials committed to working with diverse suppliers.

Moderator:

Cjala Surratt, Public Relations/Marketing Executive, Owner of Black Citizen’s Brigade Vintage Co.

Breakout Sessions
Sep 15, 2023
2:55 pm
3:55 pm

Arts & Entertainment

Dexter Mckinney M.S., M.A., Actor: “When They See Us”, “City on a Hill”, and More

Tanisha M. Jackson, Ph.D., MBA Black Studies Professor | Arts Administrator | Curator

Joann Yarrow: Director, Producer, and Artrepreneur

Location: 

Theme:

These award-winning artist/educator/activists will discuss the dynamic intersection between the arts, culture, and economic development, particularly within communities of color.

Moderator:

Dr. Jamie Perry, Assistant Professor in the Whitman School of Management at Syracuse University

Breakout Sessions
Sep 15, 2023
2:55 pm
3:55 pm

Workforce Development/Employment

Davine Bey, Talent Management Leader, Strategist, Owner of DKON Consulting Group

Susan Crossett, Chief Executive Officer at CPS Recruitment Inc.

Gwen Webber-McLeod, M.S., President/CEO of Gwen Inc., Expert on Black Women in Leadership, Thought Leader, DEI Strategist, Social Justice Activist, etc.

Location: 

Theme:

Panelists will explore issues related to recruitment, promotion, recognition and other aspects of identifying, training, and retaining a qualified and diverse workforce.

My Dream Summit 2023: General Admission

Includes all events on Friday, September 15, 2023 for My Dream Summit 2023.