2021 Fifth Third Bank Diversity Leadership Symposium: Stories of Action and Inspiration
December 22, 2021 /3BL Media/ - Fifth Third recently hosted its annual Diversity Leadership Symposium in collaboration with the Cincinnati USA Regional Chamber. The event is the largest annual gathering of business leaders in Greater Cincinnati to explore diversity, equity and inclusion.
Stephanie Smith, chief inclusion and diversity officer, explained that the symposium offered a unique opportunity for attendees to gain new perspectives on difference. “This event provided leaders the space to have honest and transparent conversations about various dimensions of diversity, including race, gender equity and sexual orientation,” she said. “Each year we work to cultivate an experience for people to learn about how we can become more inclusive in our region while also encouraging each other to be authentic in the workplace.”
The theme for the event was “Stories of Action and Stories of Inspiration.” Several speakers shared their personal career leadership journeys. The keynote speaker, U.S. Rep. Joyce Beatty, D-Columbus, spoke about her realization that her commitment, courage and conviction about equality and equity could drive change. Beatty now chairs the Congressional Black Caucus.
Additional speakers included Damon Jones, chief communications officer for P&G; Megan Mitchell, news anchor at Cincinnati’s WLWT-TV and a Tik Tok influencer; Rico Grant, owner of Gallery at Gumbo; and Mel Gravely, chairman of TriVersity and author of “Dear White Friend.”
The more than 600 attendees explored interactive workshops that focused on the power of the refugee workforce, neurodiversity in the workplace and building on diversity in the digital industry.
“To drive real outcomes in our region related to diversity, equity and inclusion, we need to listen and continue building upon actionable discussions about what it takes to create an inclusive, future city,” said Jill Meyer, president and chief executive of the Cincinnati USA Regional Chamber. “That’s what the symposium provides to all who attend – the platform to hear stories of action and inspiration that energize leaders in our community to be the catalysts of transformational change within their businesses.”
To learn more about the Diversity Leadership Symposium, visit www.cincinnatichamber.com/events. To learn about Fifth Third’s inclusion and diversity efforts, visit www.53.com/diversity.
