Tuesday, November 16, 2021

— 9 a.m. – 9:20 a.m. —

Welcome Remarks

Karen Freeman-Wilson, President and CEO, Chicago Urban League

Stephanie DeVane, Vice President of Entrepreneurship, National Urban League

Regine Moore, Director of Constituent Relations, Walmart

— 9:20 a.m. – 9:23 a.m. —

Chicago Urban League Highlight Video

 

— 9:23 a.m. – 10:10 a.m. —

Developing Innovative Approaches for Full Inclusion of Diverse Suppliers

This panel will discuss the intersection of supplier diversity and economic development. Supplier Diversity emphasizes the creation of a diverse supply chain that ensures the inclusion of diverse groups in the procurement plans for government, not-for-profits and private industry. Statistics show that companies who embrace diversity are more profitable than companies who don’t. When businesses build capacity, they are able to grow revenue, jobs and, as a result communities do better too.

 

— 10:15 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. —

Building and Maintaining Strategic Corporate Partnerships

This panel will discuss the importance of building formal corporate relationships that will create value for small businesses through raising revenues, lowering costs and growing capacity through diversity supplier partnerships.

 

— 11:20 a.m. – 12:05 p.m. —

Meet the Suppliers: Stories of Success

Meet a few local businesses that have successfully entered into the Walmart supply chain. These business owners will share the good – and the not so great – experiences that can lead and guide your journey toward supply chain success!

 

— 12:10 p.m. – 12:40 p.m. —

Breakout Sessions

 

— 12:42 p.m. – 1:00 p.m. —

Closing Remarks

 

Elsie Cardell, Chief Sales Strategist and Distribution Expert

Elsie is one of the most trusted and respected leaders in the multicultural beauty industry, having influenced the sales destiny of national and international hair care brands representing in the hundreds of millions in global sales. She has 30 years of experience in strategic sales leadership with some of the world’s leading beauty & multicultural companies.

Currently, Elsie is the President and Owner of Results Sales & Marketing LLC, a premier sales and marketing company that supports small to midsize manufacturers in mass, specialty, and salon retailers. Results is known for consistently delivering double digit sales growth coupled with expanding distribution.  Elsie also formerly owned & operated an international hair care company that she has since sold.  She advanced to Vice President of a L’Oréal USA division managing the commercial business in the US, Canada & Caribbean.  Elsie has a reputation as “doer” who produces measurable results with integrity, passion, and fortitude.  Her influence with clients and customers is unmatched.  She is known for leaving a positive impact on the brands, companies, and teams she engages.

When she is not negotiating multimillion-dollar distribution deals, Elsie is known as a personal encourager and motivator.  She is a mentor to many young people providing counsel, guidance, and direction, affectionately referred to as “AuntiE™” sharing her world famous “ElsieIsm’s”.   She authored Inspirationally Speaking by Elsie a series of magazine inserts designed to Encourage, Motivate, and Inspire.  Elsie’s “Believe and Receive” – Weekly Inspirations for Daily Activation talk airs on The FM Omni-Channel 95.1 Chicago nationally and in 99 countries.  She is a requested speaker at events worldwide.

Elsie supports The Barbara Bates Foundation, is a founding board member of Global Beauty Alliance, board member of Ladies of Virtue and The FM Omni-Channel, member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc., National Association of Professional Women, Professional Beauty Association, Cosmetic Executive Women, National Council of Negro Women, Fellowship MB Church Chicago, and founder of a professional women’s monthly Bible study.

She has been recognized by Who’s Who of Chicago, Salon Sense Outstanding Sales & Marketing Executive, DHC Beauty Vanguard Award Recipient, Ladies of Virtue Leading with Virtue Honoree and featured in Rolling Out Magazine.

Dr. Karmetria Dunham Burton, Executive and Servant Leader

Karmetria Dunham Burton is Sr Director- Global Supplier Diversity for McDonald’s Corporation. In this position, she is responsible for developing and executing a global Supplier Diversity program while enhancing the processes to assist McDonalds’s achieve its vision of being an industry leader of making minority and women owned businesses (MWBEs) a natural and integral part of the way the company does business. Karmetria has worked in strategic sourcing in various national and international corporate settings, including Delta Air Lines, Xerox, AT&T, and Union Pacific Railroad. A rising star in her field, Karmetria was the 2005 recipient of the Trailblazer Award presented by the Black Business Professionals and Entrepreneurs organization and was recognized as Who’s Who of Black Atlanta in 2010. In 2012 and 2013, Dr. Burton was honored as one of the Top 25 Women Impacting Diversity by Diversity Inc. Magazine. A well-respected authority in supplier diversity, she is a contributing writer for MBE Magazine which focuses on minority business development. Also in 2013, she was honored by Kentucky State University with the Thorobred Award. And in 2014, she was noted as a Woman of Excellence by the Atlanta Daily World Magazine. Her work and her passion have gained her notoriety in several publications: Black Enterprise, AMOI and Diversity Inc. In 2015 she was awarded the InfluenceHER Award and was featured in the June issue of Black Enterprise Magazine for her work at Delta Air Lines in supplier diversity, along with being awarded as one of the Top 25 Women of Atlanta. She has an honorary doctorate degree from Global Oved Dei Seminary and University. In 2016, she was awarded the Women of Vision Award by Atlanta Business League and awarded, for the third time in a row, a 2016 Woman Impacting Diversity.

Karmetria holds a Bachelor’s degree in Marketing from Southern University-Baton Rouge, La., and a Master’s degree in Business Administration from the University of Nebraska. She also has a doctorate degree in business from Argosy University. Dr. Burton has instructed business, procurement, and diversity related courses at Kennesaw State University as well as Shorter College, Strayer University, Georgia State University and Monroe Community College in Rochester, N.Y. Dr. Burton is a sought out speaker of women’s organizations, youth empowerment groups, and entrepreneur forums.

An international speaker coined as the “Transformational Leader”, Dr. Burton is an advocate of servant leadership with the ability to transform and motivate executives and entrepreneurs to become fearless, impactful, resourceful, and engaged leaders. Dr. Burton’s 7-step system develops inner power through transformation.

Karmetria is also the founder of “Paint Your Lips Red” movement, a global non profit platform to encourage, motivate, and empower women to level up their lives as mothers, wives, leaders, and entrepreneurs through the power of a red lip. She started the 5by20 pledge, a commitment to have 5000 women sign the pledge by the year 2020. Karmetria volunteers locally and globally with organizations who serve women who were victims of sex trafficking. Dr. Burton is also a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated and a board member of Southern University- College of Business. She is also the founder of Women Connecting Through Christ. A prayer group of women across that globe. A native of Houston, Texas, Karmetria is married to Horace A. Burton, and resides in Atlanta. Her philosophy is: “Show up!”

Stephanie DeVane, Vice President, Entrepreneurship & Business Development Division, National Urban League

Stephanie DeVane joined the National Urban League in December 2013 as Chief Credit Officer of the Urban Empowerment Fund subsidiary, NUL’s small business lending program, with responsibility for leading and managing the day-to-day operations including underwriting, risk management and policy oversight.  In March 2015, Ms. DeVane began serving as management executive for all NUL small business and entrepreneurship programs nationally.  This includes management, oversight, and advocacy on behalf of 12 Entrepreneurship Centers located in key affiliates. In this capacity, her Division supports these affiliates’ small business programs through capacity-building and programming sub-grants, and by providing them with training and technical assistance.

For seven years’ prior, Ms. DeVane served as Associate Director, Financial Services for Nonprofit Finance Fund (“NFF”) where she was responsible for loan structuring, underwriting, business development, and providing technical assistance services to clients.  Prior to NFF, she worked as an independent consultant providing credit training and risk advisory services to financial institutions and had an extensive career in corporate and investment banking.

Ms. DeVane holds an MBA in Finance from the Atlanta University Graduate School of Business Administration and a BA in Economics from Tufts University.  She is a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated®.

Adam Farmer, M. Div, Chief Operating Officer, Larry’s Barber College and Larry’s Barber Maximus

Adam is Chief Operating Officer of Larry’s Barber College and Larry’s Barber Maximus. His daily responsibilities include overall growth of the business in general and strategic relationships specifically. The mission of Larry’s Barber College is to educated future licensed barber professionals. Through our partnership with Walmart, Larry’s Barber Maximus provides the graduates ofLarry’s Barber College with employment to help them build clientele for their careers.

Adam is also the host of Clipper Talk TV, a video podcast that interviews staff and alumni from the barber college. It’s purpose is to recruit others and show that choosing a career in the hair are industry can be both lucrative and fulfilling.

Adam’s personal mission is the promotion of Spiritual, Physical and Financial well-being. He has a bachelors degree in AppliedComputer Science and a Master of Divinity. He lives in Chicago is single and co-parents a teenage boy.

Chrishon Lampley, WSET, Founder & CEO, Love Cork Screw

LCS Entertainment, LLC is a licensed wholesaler, importer, and a certified Minority Business Enterprise that features Love Cork Screw wines. Love Cork Screw is a lifestyle brand that launched six varietals December 2013 in Chicago. Lampley expanded the brand by touching all senses and adding five wine-scented candles to the portfolio in 2014.

After spending nearly 15 years pursuing her passion, Chrishon Lampley developed a keen awareness of what the traditional wine novice and enthusiast enjoys. She has traveled all around the world to produce quality wine and this year she has made it a priority to make sure that the LCS brand adds nutritional value to each and every label. Transforming the industry as the first black woman-owned wine to launch whimsical labels, Lampley has grown to become a force whose ambition will leave a lasting imprint for years to come.

Lampley, a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., has a well-known commitment to giving back to youth in Chicago. Her passion for philanthropy and youth development led her to mentoring young women and budding entrepreneurs. She gives her time and resources greatly to nonprofit organizations through sponsorship and speaking engagements. Lampley has mentored youth through Urban Broadcast Media, Chicago Sky and Polished Pebbles, to name a few.

Chrishon Lampley has laid an unbreakable foundation and remained optimistic about her purpose. She looks forward to what the future brings and is encouraged by the opportunity to continue to build LCS, Entertainment, LLC.

LCS Entertainment, LLC is a licensed wholesaler and importer, and a certified Minority Business Enterprise.

Kenya Merritt, Chief Small Business Officer, City of Chicago

Kenya Merritt is a highly skilled public servant with a wide range of experience and talents. With more than 20 years of public service, she has exemplified a consistent drive and results-oriented approach to the work, allowing her to excel in various leadership roles in the City. During her tenure, Kenya has worked to improve communities by forging partnerships to develop and implement initiatives and policies that range in the areas of financial management, arts administration, community, and economic development, each with the goal of making Chicago better.

Ms. Merritt currently serves as the Chief Small Business Officer for the City of Chicago. She leads the Small Business Advocacy team, to set Chicago’s small business agenda and strengthen programs that support business growth and invigorate communities in every corner of Chicago. This work has been evermore critical during the COVID19 pandemic as many businesses have been devastated. She’s been at the forefront rolling out the Mayor’s $100M fiscal business support programs, assisting entrepreneurs through the re-opening and recovery, and has worked with nearly 100 business support organizations setting equitable standards and supporting essential workers through this crisis.

Kenya holds an MS from DePaul University and a BA from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. She is a resident of the Austin community and the proud mother of Caleb.

 

Cameka Smith, Founder of The BOSS Network

Speaker, trainer and award-winning entrepreneur – these are just a few words that describe Cameka Smith, Founder of The BOSS Network, a community of professional and entrepreneurial women who support each other through conversation, online engagement and event-based networking. Working towards one simple goal, BOSS® is “Bringing Out Successful Sisters” to promote and encourage the small business spirit and professional development of women.

Under Cameka’s leadership, The BOSS Network has become one of the fastest-growing women business communities, garnering several accolades such as a Top 50 Website for Entrepreneurs (Inc. Magazine), 10 Best Career Sites for Women (Forbes.com) and one of 9 Twitter Accounts to Enhance Your College Experience (BlackEnterprise.com). In recognition of her achievements, Cameka was listed in Jet Magazine as a 40 under 40 Entrepreneur, named one of the Top 40 Chicago Game Changers by Ariel Investments, The Network Journal listed her one of their 2016, 40 under 40 Business Leaders, and she was presented with a Rising Brand Star award by the Adweek in 2017.

With a Master’s degree in Education, Cameka developed student academic programs for more than ten years. After being displaced from her job in 2009, she established The BOSS Network to support women in their journey to become independent and successful utilizing the power of networking and technology. Since then, The BOSS Network has evolved into a go-to resource for companies seeking female influencers as their target market. A one-stop-shop for career and entrepreneurial minded women, The BOSS Network provides its members and partners with professional connections, resources, and marketing and promotional opportunities.

As the author of 7 Steps to Grow Your Professional Network: A Guide for College Graduates and Professionals in a Tough Economy, Cameka frequently travels to college campuses with her nonprofit, BOSS On Campus and speaks on career development and leadership topics. Cameka currently resides in Chicago where she is actively involved in charity work and mentoring youth. In 2019, Cameka celebrated 10 years, empowering women and girls with The BOSS Network.

Tyrone Stoudemire, Global DEI Thought Leader

I am passionate about helping companies carry out their mission, realize their vision, and define their purpose. I bring vast experience implementing culture, developing talent, and scaling marketplace strategies to leverage inclusion and diversity for global growth.

Transformation Champion

One of my strengths is championing a transformation in the enterprises and organizations where I work. Whether working with board members, executive, or middle-management teams, I discern and account for others’ world views with care and empathy.

I believe that seeking creative solutions helps in outperforming and moving ahead of the competition. I welcome the chance to seize opportunities, contribute to the decision-making process, and tap into cultural differences to resolve conflicts. All of these factors contribute to building a strong organization that can withstand the tests of today.

My transformational work helps to address complicated socio-economic issues that assist in leveling the playing field for everyone. As an established author, public speaker, and trusted consultant, I capitalize on my influencer status by being a pacesetter in the industries and organizations I serve.

Visionary Thought Leader

As a visionary thought leader, I spearhead bias removal in existing systems using various approaches, including data interpretation for complex problems.

I’ve collaborated with leadership teams in previous roles to develop marketplace strategies that leverage diversity, talent, and culture to establish global growth and enterprise.

These initiatives include launching mentoring programs and resource groups and PR to drive internal engagement with under-represented and emerging demographics.

Currently, I’m open to serving on boards that wish to integrate more diversity and inclusion into their corporate or organizational structure for broader reach and affinity.

Keith R. Wyche, VP of Community Engagement and Support for Walmart, Inc.

Keith is a change management leader with an exceptional record of turning around underperforming operations and managing in industries undergoing rapid technological or competitive change. He excels at talent development and has a consistent record of growing revenue and expanding margins across a broad range of industries, including technology, manufacturing, outsourced services, and grocery retail.

Currently, Keith is the Vice President, Community Engagement and Support. In this role, Keith is responsible for creating Walmart’s Strategy as it pertains to partnering with Community Leaders, Elected Officials, and local Businesses in the major metropolitan areas in which we do business. Prior to this role, Keith was the Regional Vice-President for Region 18 in Upstate New York.

Keith holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Business Administration from Cleveland State University and an MBA from Baldwin-Wallace College. He is a frequent public speaker and author of, “Good Is Not Enough: And Other Unwritten Rules for Minority Professionals”, “Corner Office Rules: The 10 Realities of Executive Life and “Diversity Is Not Enough”.

Andrea Zopp, Managing Partner- Cast US Initiatives, Cleveland Avenue, LLC

Andrea Zopp joins Cleveland Avenue as Managing Partner leading the CAST US initiative investing in and developing minority and women led entrepreneurs and their companies. She has significant experience in a broad range of areas including banking, consumer products, retail, regulated industries, human capital, crisis and risk management and government and community relations.

Zopp is currently a member of the board of Directors of Relativity, and of Empowerment & Inclusion Capital I Corp. She is also Chair of the Board of Trustees at Chicago State University and is a member of the Board of Directors of the Henry Ford Health System. She has previously served on the boards of Andrew Corporation (ANDW, NASDAQ) and Urban Partnership Bank.

Zopp has worked in and with numerous global companies and has managed teams located overseas. In her role as the President and Chief Executive Officer of World Business Chicago, the city’s economic development organization, she worked closely with the Chicago Consular Corps, international chambers of commerce and multinational companies to attract foreign direct investment and facilitate company relocation and expansion. She was also responsible for organizing and implementing mayoral international trade delegations.

She is also a successful businesswoman and has held executive leadership positions at several Fortune 500 companies, including Sara Lee, Sears Holdings, and Exelon. As the former president and CEO of the Chicago Urban League, she led the nationally recognized organization’s focus on expanding economic opportunity in underserved communities.

Previously, she served as Deputy Mayor, Chief Neighborhood Development Officer for the City of Chicago. Zopp served in the United States Attorney’s Office and was the first woman and African American to serve as the first assistant in the Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office. She has also served on the Chicago Board of Education the Cook County Health and Hospital System Board, and numerous nonprofits boards.

Zopp received her Bachelor of Arts in History & Science from Harvard University and is a graduate of Harvard Law School.