Accelerate Digital Program

TODAY’S SCHEDULE Welcome and Sponsor Remarks

PRESENTED BY

Leveling Our Language Ivan Canada Executive Director, North Carolina for Community and Justice (NCCJ) Jada Monica Drew CEO, Social Designs Niketa Greene Chief Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Officer, Cone Health Sharpen Your Inclusion Edge: The 8 Step Approach Jada Monica Drew CEO, Social Designs Networking Break

TITLE SPONSORS

FACTS: DEI Does Impact an Organization’s Bottom Line!

Moderator: Marvin J. Price, Executive Vice President, Economic Development, Greensboro Chamber Panelists: Lu-Ann Barry Executive Director, Women’s Business Center of Greensboro Wilson Lester Managing Partner and Co-Founder, Partners In Equity Call to Action

SILVER SPONSORS

Networking Break Welcome Remarks Lunch Service sponsored by Sponsor Remarks and Introduction of Featured Speaker

BRONZE SPONSORS City of Greensboro · Guilford County · Honda Aircraft Company · ITG Brands LLC · Lincoln Financial Group

Featured Speaker: Kevin J. Price President & CEO, National Institute of Minority Economic Development Closing Remarks

TODAY’S SPEAKERS Lu-Ann Barry

Executive Director, The Women’s Business Center of Greensboro

A native New Yorker with proud Caribbean roots stemming from the island of Grenada, Lu-Ann Barry is a champion of coaching, consulting, and teaching. She believes that project management and strategic thinking are critical for the success of not only major corporations, but also small businesses.

Lu-Ann has over a decade of entrepreneurial experience, leading SpiceLAB Enterprise, that serves small businesses. Notable clients and partners have included the Charlotte Museum of History, NASCAR Hall of Fame, and Radio One. Her 20+ years of corporate experience supporting companies such as McCann Erickson - Sony Movies Retail Group, Getty Images, Screenvision, and (formerly) UTC Aerospace make her the premier business coach.

As the Executive Director of the Women’s Business Center of Greensboro, she operates in a space that embraces her purpose, celebrates women in leadership, and provides the opportunity to help other women and minority-owned businesses build their capacities for success.

Her greatest achievement is her role of Mom to daughter, Phoenix and son, Elijah.

Follow her journey via social media @SpiceLAB and @WBCGreensboro.

Ivan Canada

Executive Director, North Carolina for Community & Justice Ivan Canada is currently serving as Executive Director of North Carolina for Community and Justice (NCCJ), and before his recent appointment, he served as Senior Director of Development, communications, and strategic partnerships. Prior to joining the NCCJ staff, he worked with The Guilford Green Foundation as interim Executive Director and Director of Special Projects.

Ivan is a leader in the Triad community and has been awarded the Triad Business Journal’s “Forty Leaders Under 40” Award, their inaugural “Leaders in Diversity Award,” the Greensboro Chamber of Commerce’s “Change Agent Award,” and most recently has been recognized by the Latino Community Coalition of Guilford County with a “Corazón Latino Award” (Latino Heart), which recognizes nonLatino community members, businesses, and nonprofit organizations that have consistently served as an ally to the Latinx community.

Jada Monica Drew CEO, Social Designs

Jada Monica Drew is the CEO of Social Designs, a leadership and diversity firm.

She connects, challenges, and supports individuals to realize their full potential for impact as a trainer and consultant. She is also the author of the book and online course, Sharpen Your Inclusion Edge: The 8 Step Approach, which lays the foundation to advance diversity and inclusion strategy for organizations. Jada is active in the community as a board member of the Greensboro Chamber of Commerce and member of the United Way Impact Team. She was recognized as a United Nations DPINGO speaker in 2015 and featured in Made in Greensboro in 2017. Jada has also been selected as Small Business Minority Person of the Year in 2019. She delivers keynotes and training about leadership and diversity for leaders in banking, education, non-profit, corporate, health, construction, philanthropic, arts, law and governmental industries; and finds joy in designing custom experiences for each client.

Niketa Greene

Chief Inclusion Officer, Cone Health

Throughout her career, Niketa Greene has been a compassionate change agent with an equity and inclusion lens. Her professional career and personal life have been centered on serving the community, and she enjoys helping individuals and organizations create transformation. She has worked and had past leadership roles in family selfsufficiency, human services, talent development, and diversity, equity, and inclusion.

Niketa is currently the Chief Inclusion Officer at Cone Health. She leads diversity, equity, and inclusion strategy and implementation to foster inclusion for over 13,000 employees and thousands of patients. She also recently worked as the Vice President of Leadership, Diversity, & Inclusion at the Greensboro Chamber of Commerce where she launched the Scale to Excel program and led a minority business accelerator, Leadership Greensboro, and diversity and inclusion policy for the Chamber. Niketa has been recognized for her work through the following awards: 2021 Triad Business Journal Outstanding Women in Business, 2022 Denise E. Maleska Leadership Impact Award, 2022 United Way of Greater Greensboro Centennial Volunteer Award.

Wilson Lester

Managing Partner, Partners in Equity

Wilson is accomplished leader in community finance and economic development whose efforts continue to forge access to capital and resources for BIPOC entrepreneurs. He built Piedmont Business Capital, a N.C.-based CDFI, or revolving small-business loan fund, that has delivered millions in impact capital to Black businesses across N.C. He is also a Co-Founder of the ACCESS Center for Equity and Success, which supports minority business enterprises with securing public and private contract opportunities. Wilson believes active philanthropy builds communities; therefore, he serves as Treasurer on the Investment Committee for Cone Health Foundation, as a Board Member of the Triad Advisory Council for Truist Bank, and a Trustee of Greensboro College, and various boards that support health and economic development; he previously worked with the African American Alliance of CDFI CEOs Advocacy Committee to help shape policy that directly scales Black businesses.

Kevin J. Price

President & CEO, National Institute of Minority Economic Development

Kevin is the third president and Chief Executive Officer of the National Institute of Minority Economic Development in Durham, NC. The Institute, a 36-year-old nonprofit management consulting and services firm, is focused on business diversity and inclusion. They are trusted advisors to businesses large and small, government agencies, policy makers and organizations that understand the key roles diversity and inclusion play in ensuring business and economic success. The Institute is an awardwinning organization and leading voice and constant advocate for public policies and business practices that promote marketplace diversity and inclusion. In June 2020, The Institute successfully merged with the North Carolina Community Development Initiative and rebranded it as Institute Capital (ICAP), one of the oldest minority- led community development financial institutions in the state. Both organizations are headquartered in Durham, NC on Parrish Street, which was once known as the “Black Wall Street” of the south

Marvin J. Price

Executive Vice President of Economic Development, Greensboro Chamber

Marvin’s decade-long career in economic development has led to prosperous growth across many communities, most recently including more than $2 billion in capital investment and nearly 4,500 jobs across Greensboro and Guilford County, including Toyota, Guerrilla RF, LT Apparel, and Boom Supersonic. He leads a team that services the local manufacturing industry and recruits new businesses to the area. Marvin volunteers on the Workforce Development Board for Guilford Works where he provides strategic frameworks for workforce development, fosters regional collaboration to boost local economies, and forges connections with workforce partners. Marvin was also previously involved with the Urban League of Central Carolinas Young Professionals Auxiliary where he served as vice president and president.

Marvin is the recipient of many industry and professional awards, including: 2022 Black Business Ink 40 Under 40 Most Influential African Americans in the Triad, 2021 & 2019 DCI 40 Under 40 in Economic Development, 2020 & 2018 Consultant Connect Top 50 Economic Developers Award, and the 2018 North Carolina Economic Development Association’s Emerging Executive Award.