Why CEO Karen Hester Will Focus On Millennials For The 12th Annual Legal Inclusiveness & Diversity Conference

“You wouldn’t ask why the rose that grew from the concrete had damaged petals / On the contrary, we would all celebrate its tenacity / We would all love its will to reach the sun / Well, we are the roses — this is the concrete — and these are my damaged petals / Don’t ask me why, thank God, ask me how!” — Tupac

This week, the Center for Legal Inclusiveness (CLI) announced its 12th Annual Legal Inclusiveness and Diversity Conference in Denver, Colorado, for May 7-8, 2018.

On May 7, the Legal Inclusiveness and Diversity Conference will feature national experts discussing cutting-edge diversity and inclusiveness topics — consisting of three tracks comprised of 12 concurrent sessions, and a reception.

On May 8, guests can attend the Inclusiveness Institute, a one-day intensive training on the fundamentals of diversity and inclusion. This year’s Institute features Crossroads Antiracism Organizing & Training. This Chicago-based organization organizes, trains, and consults institutions striving to dismantle racism.

The morning roster is stacked with wonderful speakers, including: Dr. Edward Hubbard and Dr. Myra Hubbard, Jeanetta Darno, Naomi Baez-Amos, Jay Kamlet, Meranda Vieyra, Ben Wick, Kelly McNamara Corley, Thomas Sager, Teresa Wynn Roseborough, Jeffrey Robinson, and Stephanie Wachman.

And the list of afternoon speakers is equally impressive, which includes: Eloiza Domingo-Snyder and James Page, German Gomez, Ida Abbott, Kori Carew, Leila Hock, Dr. Brenda Allen and Patrick O’Rourke, Judge Terry Fox, Liz Krupa, Qusair Mohamedbhai, Karen Hester, and Ryann Peyton.

Attendees will have the chance to hear from Lauren Stiller Rikleen during the Afternoon Plenary, which focuses on working with millennials as she demystifies generational differences and identify strategies for developing successful multi-generational relationships.

Yours truly will have the opportunity to open the conference — where I will talk about the changing economic landscape of the New Economy (Post-Great Recession) and how Millennials can best adapt to this new reality.

Yesterday, I had the privilege of speaking with CLI’s CEO Karen Hester to discuss the importance of the 12th Annual Legal Inclusiveness and Diversity Conference. Without further ado, here is a (lightly edited and condensed) write-up of our conversation:

Renwei Chung (RC): You’ve served as the CEO for the Center for Legal Inclusiveness for almost 5 years. What originally drew you to this role and what have you learned since you began it?

Karen Hester (KH): CLI’s mission is to advance diversity and inclusiveness in the legal profession. As a black female attorney, this captured my attention.

But the mission was just the beginning — CLI has evolved to address diversity and inclusion across the spectrum. From pipeline initiatives like our summer law camp, to recruiting efforts which include our career fair, and retention and advancement programming such as our Legal Inclusiveness & Diversity Summit, we now not only educate but engage with our constituents.

This is evident by the number of volunteers who help plan our events, speak at our CLEs, and work in our organization.

RC: What inspired this year’s Legal Inclusiveness and Diversity Conference programming to focus on millennials?

KH: Millennials are currently the largest generation in the workforce, and their presence is having an impact. Companies have adjusted their business model to take this into account. But the transition, the adjustment, has been rocky for some.

We have two fantastic plenary speakers who will share information, and even provide some takeaways, for our audience to help make this adjustment a little smoother for all generations. When employers can create a more inclusive workplace, great things will happen.

RC: You’ve organized, trained, presented, and facilitated at countless diversity and inclusion events. What makes the May 7 and 8 Conference so unique?

KH: I like our versatility. We have national experts discussing cutting-edge diversity and inclusiveness topics.

Many of them focus on how diversity and inclusion affect the legal profession — one session focuses on race and jury selection, while another focuses on what legal employers are doing to create diverse workplaces. We also have speakers who focus on the workforce, generally, such as the sessions on inclusive leadership and feedback.

The Summit, on May 7, is comprised of concurrent sessions. This is great for those looking to gain an understanding of multiple topics.

For those who desire a deeper dive, in a small group setting, they can attend the Institute on May 8. Here, we will focus on systemic racism in organizations and ain to dismantle the framework of those oppressive systems.

You can attend either day, or both — whatever suits your needs, and your schedule.

RC: It was great chatting with you. Is there anything else you would like to share with our audience?

KH: Just like it takes a village to raise a child, it takes a village to combat the “isms” our society is facing.

Not only can the “isms” have fatal consequences, it denies each of us from being our best selves. Education is key and our conference is a resource for those looking for ideas, data, resources to talk back with them.

But in addition to all of that, the networking opportunity is an added benefit. Come take advantage of the knowledge and experience of both our speakers and attendees. The synergy gained from this conference is worthwhile.

If you happen to be in Denver on May 7 or 8, we’d love to see you.

Tickets are still available for a limited time for the May 7 Legal Inclusiveness & Diversity Summit and May 8 Inclusiveness Institute. If you happen to be in Denver on May 7 or 8, I highly recommend you join us for these wonderful events.

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Renwei Chung is the Diversity Columnist at Above the Law. You can contact Renwei by email at [email protected], follow him on Twitter (@renweichung), or connect with him on LinkedIn.