Spelman Hosts 10th Anniversary Women of Color Conference in May

This May, Spelman College will celebrate the 10th Anniversary of its pre-eminent annual Leadership and Women of Color Conference. Themed “21st century Leadership: Leading Forward,” the 2014 conference will explore several essential components vital to leadership success. Featuring groundbreaking women across a variety of fields, the Women of Color Conference speakers include retired NBC Universal Chief Diversity Officer and multimillion dollar businesswoman Paula Madison; Major General Marcia Anderson, the first African-American woman Major General in the U.S. Army Reserve; civil rights icon Roslyn Pope; former Atlanta Mayor Shirley Franklin; and award-winning journalist and host of NPR’s “Tell Me More,” Michel Martin, among others. Hosted by Emmy Award-winning journalist and Access Hollywood host Shaun Robinson, the two-day event will be held at the Georgia International Convention Center, May 14 -15, 2014.

Convened by Jane E. Smith, Ed.D., executive director of the Center for Leadership and Civic Engagement (LEADS) at Spelman, the conference will engage attendees from business, public policy, media and education in detailed discussions on leadership strategies that foster collaborative innovation, outline the role of advocacy and policy and provide blueprints for 21st century leadership. This must-attend event for women and men in both the corporate and nonprofit sectors will provide tools that the 21st century leader must employ to excel in an ever-changing, globally diverse era.

“This year’s theme, Leading Forward speaks to the advancement of women over the next decade,” said Dr. Smith. “At this special 10^th anniversary conference, we are featuring women who currently lead global strategies that improve organizational and personal effectiveness. Through this gathering, we will solidify collaborations that will strategically lead both businesses and communities into the future.”

Through informative workshops, powerful speeches, one-on-one interactions, presentations and revealing testimony in “conversations” with Spelman President Beverly Daniel Tatum, Ph.D., conference participants will hear from some of the world’s most influential and dynamic game-changers about the leadership strategies they use to achieve success at work and in the community as well as to thrive in diverse environments. Attendees will be treated to three milestone events as LEADS celebrates a decade of success with the first installation of the Academy of Game Changers, the 10th Anniversary Legacy of Leadership Awards, and a special “blue carpet” birthday celebration. Another new programming element this year is the “Intimate Conversations with Game Changers,” which will feature members of the inaugural Academy of Game Changers sharing their personal leadership journeys.

Women of Color Conference Info

The 10th Anniversary Spelman College Leadership and Women of Color Conference will begin at 12 p.m. Wednesday, May 14, 2014, with the “Game Changers: A Decade of Success” Luncheon at the Georgia International Convention Center. For more details and to register, visit www.spelmanwomenofcolorconf.com. Join the discussion and share your thoughts on this year’s theme on Facebook and Twitter, #SpelmanWOCC.

About Spelman College
Founded in 1881, Spelman College is a highly selective, liberal arts college widely recognized as the global leader in the education of women of African descent. Located in Atlanta, Ga., the college’s picturesque campus is home to 2,100 students. Outstanding alumnae include Children’s Defense Fund founder Marian Wright Edelman; Sam’s Club CEO Rosalind Brewer; former acting Surgeon General and Spelman’s first alumna President Audrey Forbes Manley; Georgia State Representative and House Minority Leader Stacey Abrams, former Harvard College Dean Evelynn Hammonds; author Pearl Cleage; and actress LaTanya Richardson Jackson. For more information, visit www.spelman.edu.