SOUTHERN STATES FORUM AGENDA (ATLANTA)
ELEVATING VOICES
JULY 26, 2019 | 7:45am – 7:30PM
The Forum in Atlanta will focus on elevating the voices of Southern ERG leaders and addressing the unique challenges they face as Southern LGBTQ employees. The Forum will highlight company narratives that demonstrate LGBTQ inclusion efforts and achievements specifically in the South.
Because the intended audience for Atlanta will be ERG leaders and members, workshops will aim to address prevailing issues relevant to ERG leaders. Curriculum may include topics such as: the business case for LGBTQ inclusion, LGBTQ 101 training, managing religious conflict, ERG development, effecting social change, and strategic problem-solving.
Registration | Multipurpose Room ( 7:45am – 9:00am )
Welcome Breakfast | Multipurpose Room ( 7:45am – 9:00am )
Opening General Session | Multipurpose Room ( 9:00am – 10:30am )
Welcome & Opening Remarks
Theresa Spralling, Lead Chief of Staff at AT&T
State of the LGBTQ Movement in the South
Deena Fidas, Managing Director of Global Stakeholder Engagement at Out & Equal
Opening Panel: The Intersection of Southern Culture and LGBTQ Inclusion
Bruce Gillispie, Senior Director, Merchandise Activity Planning at Walmart
Alex Wan, Executive Director at Horizons Atlanta, Atlanta City Council 2010-2017
Ricaye Harris, Sr. Diversity & Inclusion Program Manager at Milliken & Company
Kaleb Hall, Quality Team Leader at Toyota Motor Manufacturing
Roger Morris, Sr. External Operations Manager / PRIDE ERG Co-Chief of Staff at The Clorox Company
Break ( 10:30am – 10:45am )
Morning Breakout Workshops ( 10:45am – 12:00pm )
Cracker Barrel: Timeline of Progress | Room C2A
Abstract: This workshop will examine Cracker Barrel’s progress chronologically over the past 30 years, including the origins of its negative reputation with the LGBT community in the 1990s to the journey of the LGBT Alliance ERG in the past 10 years.
Steve Smotherman, Management Learning & Development at Cracker Barrel
The Resistance is in Your Backyard: Working to Effect Social Change | Room C3H-C3J
Abstract: The Louisville, KY chapter of MMC’s LGBTA resource group (“RG”) has strengthened the Kentucky Competitive Workforce Coalition (developed to support pro-LGBT legislation), worked on local and state fairness initiatives, and met with elected officials to advocate for LGBT-inclusive policies at local and state levels. Although many companies are realizing the benefits of intra-organizational RG collaboration, and some have begun working with RGs from outside their organization, this group is a step ahead. Their collaboration with Brown-Forman’s LGBTA RG (one of the first to be established in Louisville), has resulted in a level of positive social change not seen by any other RG in the city. And it all happened in the course of 12 months! This workshop tells their story, outlines the specific steps they took, and facilitates an interactive discussion about how each workshop participant can effect similar change.
JD Mitchell, Global Account Manager at Mercer
Hannah Beaver, Associate at Mercer
Out @ AT&T Turner Executives | Room C3L
Abstract: The Out @ AT&T/Turner Executives panel at the Out & Equal Southern States Forum will feature AT&T/ Turner Executives discussing their workplace experiences. The discussion will be led by an AT&T Lead Consultant of Diversity who is responsible for LGBTQ+ corporate strategy. *Turner is a Warner Media/AT&T company
Deneen Garrett, Lead Consultant-Diversity, Moderator
Meka Urriola, President of LEAGUE at AT&T Atlanta
Trent D. Pines, AVP, Alliance/Partnership at AT&T
Tara Hughes, Senior Director at Turner
Rick McMurtry – SVP, Associate General Counsel at AT&T
Lunch Panel | Managing the Divide: Religious Values and LGBTQ Inclusion | Multipurpose Room ( 12:00pm – 1:30pm )
Cortland Russell, SE Strategic Operations Manager at Accenture
Rev. Dr. Joshua Noblitt, Minster of Social Justice and Evangelism at Saint Mark United Methodist Church
Percy Brown, Communications Manager, Georgia Equality
Sara Donaldson, Atlanta Jewish Interfaith ERG Lead at Accenture
Feroza Syed – Associate Broker at Atlanta Fine Homes Sotheby’s International
Break ( 1:30pm – 1:45pm )
Afternoon Breakout Workshops ( 10:45am – 3:00pm )
Southern States Roundtable | Room C3H – C3J
Abstract: Through a facilitated discussion with Out & Equal Senior Manager of Stakeholder Engagement, Madelyn Gelpi, attendees will examine the unique challenges faced by the Southern LGBTQ community, perform an analysis of community needs, and review the importance of business engagement in this region.
Madelyn Gelpi, Senior Manager of Stakeholder Engagement
The Importance of Intersectional ERG Initiatives in the South | Room C3L
Abstract: Through a facilitated discussion with Out & Equal Senior Manager of Stakeholder Engagement, Madelyn Gelpi, attendees will examine the unique challenges faced by the Southern LGBTQ community, perform an analysis of community needs, and review the importance of business engagement in this region.
Katherine Martinez, Director, Labor Relations/ARG Leader at Walmart
Building and Elevating LGBTQ Southern ERGs | Room C2A
Abstract: Understanding the fundamentals and what it takes to get your ERG started is a critical first step in ensuring your future ERG is successful. Join as Lockheed Martin discusses the challenges, opportunities, and best practices in building and elevating LGBTQ ERGs in the South.
Break ( 3:00pm – 3:15pm )
Closing Session | Multipurpose Room ( 3:15pm – 5:00pm )
Afternoon Keynote: A Fireside Chat with Congressman Sam Park
Telling the Southern Story
Closing Remarks
Networking Reception ( 5:15pm – 7:30pm )