Scottsdale event offers myriad insights to the 21st century workplace. (File Photos/DigitalFreePress.com)
Staff Reports | Digital Free Press
A critical exercise to help companies improve diversity, equity and inclusion efforts will be part of the 2022 United Diversity Business Summit on Sept. 14.
ThinkZilla Consulting Group will present its “DEI Scorecard” as one of the key elements of programming at the upcoming conference. The scorecard exercise, which will be guided by ThinkZilla CEO Dr. Velma Trayham, provides companies with key metrics to measure the success of the organization’s DEI initiatives, according to a press release.
“We have created a tool that will help companies identify what they are doing right and what areas they need to improve when it comes to DEI initiatives,” Dr. Trayham said in a prepared statement. “This exercise can be very helpful in shaping DEI programs and ensuring they are successful in improving and enhancing the overall work environment.”
The DEI Scorecard provides metrics on how DEI has been incorporated into strategic planning, corporate culture, budgeting, training and employee development and many other key areas, proponents of the event report.
The 2022 United Diversity Business Summit is from 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., Wednesday, Sept. 14, at the Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts Center — with a theme of “Enhancing the Entrepreneurial Ecosystem through Diversity, Community and Innovation.” It is free for attendees.
The event’s organizers have announced a new presenting sponsor, Fry’s Food Stores, to accompany previously announced sponsors Salt River Project, Blaylock Van, Country Financial, Arizona Commerce Authority and the Arizona State University Office of Economic Development. Community Partners Include Black Chamber of Arizona, Base Arizona, Maricopa Community Colleges, Greater Phoenix Urban League Young Professionals, and Associated Minority Contractors of Arizona.
The lineup of quality speakers continues to expand. Speakers for the 2022 summit include:
- David Ortega, mayor of Scottsdale,
- Dr. Velma Trayham, CEO of Thinkzilla,
- Jackie Johnson, diversity director for the City of Scottsdale,
- Rob Millar, economic development director for the City of Scottsdale,
- Art Hamilton, founder of the Art Hamilton Group,
- Danny Seiden, president and CEO of the Arizona Chamber of Commerce and Industry,
- Cloves Campbell, co-publisher of the Arizona Informant,
- Eric Standifer, president and CEO of Blaylock Van,
- Ashlee Atkins, president of Greater Phoenix Urban League Young Professionals (YP),
- Mark Stanton, president & CEO of the Scottsdale Area Chamber of Commerce,
- Keasha Beach, executive director of BASE Arizona,
- Jonovan Stephens, financial representative with COUNTRY Financial,
- Jervis B. Hough, Senior Vice President, COO/public finance for Blaylock Van, LLC.
Scottsdale diversity event filling fast
Registration for the event has been brisk and has increased in the past couple of weeks.
Register here to ensure a spot.
The United Diversity Business Summit offers corporations and governmental entities the opportunity to reach more than 500 business owners during the event and through pre- and post-event marketing. Each year as a part of Thinkzilla Consulting Group’s “Diversity Business Awareness” aimed at increasing patronage of inclusive organizations, the “Diversity Business Summit “ co-chair committee salutes and highlights the accomplishments of five diverse businesses in Scottsdale.
Attendees will learn from more than 25 speakers on innovative approaches and best practices to improve economic diversity outcomes for organizations and entrepreneurs. This year’s summit will host two tracks:
Track 1 is designed for public and private companies seeking to increase diversity outcomes.
Track 2 incorporates business development programs to attract and grow the minority small business community.
Workshop topics will include using disruption to advance business strategy, entrepreneurship 101, supplier diversity, inclusive decision-making, recognizing and overcoming financial challenges, and more.
