Gallup Center on Black Voices: Data to Make a Difference

Camille Lloyd, executive director of Gallup Center on Black Voices, kicked off a compelling discussion about the importance of data to drive collective action in advancing racial and economic equity. Following her keynote address, Lloyd was joined on stage by the Chamber's Sandy K. Baruah, Bank of America's Matt Elliott, and The Skillman Foundation's Angelique Power for a panel that announced that the Center will be coming to Detroit through its partnership with many regional organizations focused on data, including the Chamber. Read the session recap.

Community College as a Path to a More Equitable Economy; Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Foundation Announces $20M Investment in New Education Collaborative

Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Foundation’s President and Chief Executive Director David Egner
announced a $20 million investment in the Chamber's Detroit Drives Degrees Community College Collaborative, a cross-sector collaborative designed to elevate the role of community colleges in Southeast Michigan. This announcement was part of a panel focused on the important role of community colleges in improving educational access and outcomes. Read the session recap.

Workforce Equity: A Three-Pronged Benefit for
Economy, Business, and People

To enhance Michigan’s competitive edge, a stronger effort toward equitable and diverse workplaces and communities is critical. Diversity and inclusion efforts should not be a separate initiative. They should be built into organizational strategy and feature hiring practices, trainings, and employee benefits. Read the session recap. 

The Future of Women in the Post-Pandemic Workplace

With thousands of women exiting the workforce during the pandemic, JMA Global's Jeanette M. Abraham, DTE Gas' Joi M. Harris, and Eko and BasBlue's Nancy Tellem joined NBC's Rhonda Walker at the 2022 Conference to discuss what it's like as women in the workplace post-pandemic and how women who have exited the workforce can return. Read the session recap.

Transparency and Humility: What Employees Are Looking for From Their Senior Leadership Team Post-COVID and Amid Social Change 

Society has experienced a shift in priorities, focusing on more social issues following the introduction of COVID-19 and the death of George Floyd. To discuss how these changes have altered the workplace, and more specifically, the role of chief executive officers, ITC Holding Corps.’ Linda Apsey, Henry Ford Health’s Wright L. Lassiter III, Strategic Staffing Solutions’ Cindy Pasky, and CMS and Consumers Energy’s Garrick Rochow joined WOOD-TV 8’s Rick Albin during the session, “How COVID-19 and Social Change Altered the Role of CEOs.” Read the session recap.

Advancing Equity Panel: The ‘Great Resignation’
Was a Cry for Workplace Change

During the height of the pandemic, the “Great Resignation” led to individuals across the nation exiting the workforce in droves. According to Outlier Media's Candice Fortman, people began reevaluating how work should and could fit into their lives, while many business leaders and executives began to dig deep and do the work to create more equitable and opportunistic workplaces. W.K. Kellogg Foundation’s La June Montgomery Tabron, Michigan Women’s Commission's Cheryl Berman, and Trinity Health’s Shana Lewis joined Fortman during the "Advancing Equitable Workplace Strategies for Michigan’s Success" session to explore these topics further. Read the session recap.