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
The Sky is Not the Limit.
Building a New Era of Opportunity for Central New York (Virtual Presentation)
DEI Panel: Redefining & Reshaping Diversity Initiatives (panelists listed in breakout session tab)
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Clarifying the Dream & A Call to Action
Breakout Sessions 1: Educational breakout sessions
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.
Technology Panel: Surveying the Landscape & Claiming our Space (panelists listed in breakout session tab)
Breakout Sessions 2: Educational breakout sessions
Networking Break: Take a moment to interact with other summit participants.
Closing Keynote Speaker
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
Monica Williams, Chief Diversity and Inclusion Officer at Onondaga County
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
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”.
Savion Pollard, United States Navy Veteran, Syracuse University Student & Recent hire at Micron Technology
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:
These successful entrepreneurs will share how the skills developed in the military has contributed to their success in business.
Tamika Otis, Corporate Responsibility & Community Relations Officer at Key Bank, CEO/Principal Consultant at KABOD Consulting Group LLC, Equity Warrior
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:
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.
Vicki R. Brackens, CHFC, President & Financial Planner at Brackens Financial Solutions Network, LLC
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:
Explore financial literacy factors related to establishing and maintaining intergenerational wealth such as Banking, Real estate, Retirement/estate planning, and other Investment activities.
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)
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:
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.
J. Andrew Breuer, President of Hueber-Breuer Construction
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:
These successful business owners discuss intergenerational wealth from an entrepreneurship perspective and share strategies for maintaining growth in a changing environment across generations.
Yusuf Abdul-Qadir, Product Policy Manager at Facebook
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
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.
Dr. Marcelle Haddix, Associate Provost for Strategic Initiatives and Professor in the School of Education at Syracuse University
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:
This session will discuss the role of education (primary, secondary, public, and private) in addressing the Racial Wealth Gap.
Dr. Emad Rahim, PMP, CSP-SM, CMgr, Fullbright Recipient, UN Empact Honoree, Award- Winning Educator, Best Selling Author, Changemaker.
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:
These successful entrepreneurs from immigrant and refugee backgrounds share their experiences adjusting to the American Entrepreneurial landscape.
Melanie Littlejohn, Vice President at National Grid
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:
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.
Cjala Surratt, Public Relations/Marketing Executive, Owner of Black Citizen’s Brigade Vintage Co.
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:
These award-winning artist/educator/activists will discuss the dynamic intersection between the arts, culture, and economic development, particularly within communities of color.
Dr. Jamie Perry, Assistant Professor in the Whitman School of Management at Syracuse University
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:
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.
