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The Women of Color Leadership Conference at the University of Missouri-Kansas City, set for May 10-11, will once again provide empowerment opportunities for hundreds of women and high school girls of color.
The conference features nationally-recognized speakers, workshops and networking opportunities that encourage educational, professional and leadership growth for more than 500 women and girls each year. This year's speakers include a leading authority on civil rights, a national poetry slam champion and the top official for diversity and inclusion at the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City.
After six years of sponsoring the conference, UMKC's Division of Diversity, Access and Equity and the Division of Student Affairs and Enrollment Management continue to enhance the quality of the conference, the speakers and workshops, assisting in the personal development of high school girls and women in metro-Kansas City.
"We are invested in providing educational access, enhancing leadership skills, improving communication skills and securing collaboration opportunities for women of color," said Karen Dace, Ph.D., deputy chancellor of the DDAE. "This is the seventh year for the conference, and each year, our goal is to elevate the quality of the speakers, workshops and networking to aid in the growth of all women of color."
The 2012 conference - "Recognizing Our Strengths: Constructing Our Reality" includes:
The High School Connection, 8:15 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. on Thursday, May 10.
- Mayda del Valle - 2011 National Poetry Slam Individual Champion - will give the keynote address at 12:45 p.m. Also, del Valle will address the conference attendees at 8:45 a.m. on Friday, May 11.
- For additional details about the H.S. Connection, visit this page.
The Women of Color Leadership Conference, 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Friday, May 11. Registration begins at 7:30 a.m.
- Professor of Law at UCLA and Columbia Law Schools and leading authority on civil rights, Kimberlé Williams Crenshaw, will be the keynote speaker at 6 p.m.
- Workshops begin at 8:15 a.m.
- Erika Ramirez will give the lunchtime lecture. She will speak at 1:30 p.m. Ramirez is the diversity and inclusion coordinator and human resources manager for the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City where she works to coordinate efforts that support the Bank's diversity strategy and the responsibilities.
The events are free and open to the public; however, registration is required. Both events will be held in the Student Union, 5100 Cherry St., Kansas City, Mo.
Past speakers include Iyanla Vanzant, attorney, former talk show host and nationally recognized motivational speaker; Melissa Harris-Perry, MSNBC strategist and associate professor of politics and African American studies at Princeton University; Donna Brazille, CNN political strategist and author; and Dr. Julianne Malveaux, president of Bennett College, economist and author.
The University of Missouri-Kansas City (UMKC), one of four University of Missouri campuses, is a public university serving more than 15,000 undergraduate, graduate and professional students. UMKC engages with the community and economy based on a four-part mission: life and health sciences; visual and performing arts; urban issues and education; and a vibrant learning and campus life experience. For more information about UMKC, visit www.umkc.edu. You also can find us on Facebook, follow us on Twitter and watch us on YouTube.