November Luncheon: Lift Every Voice - A Panel on Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

Online registration for this event is now closed.

To inquire if space is still available, contact Sara Hunt, chapter administrator, at (804) 994-1120 or e-mail admin@prsarichmond.org.

About the Program

Communicators know that diversity, equity and inclusion (DE&I) make good business sense because they can help with everything from connecting with a wider range of customers to retaining employees who feel embraced within a company. Yet still, there are countless examples of organizations missing the mark when it comes to DE&I. During the chapter's annual Past Presidents luncheon, hear from leading DE&I experts on how they work to celebrate diversity to their company, the community and the Commonwealth. Hear their experiences overcoming obstacles, how they’re changing behaviors and how they recommend communicators make the case for DE&I at their own organizations.

About the Panel

Dr. Janice Underwood, director of diversity, equity and inclusion for the Commonwealth of Virginia

Dr. Janice Underwood serves as Governor Northam's director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. As the Commonwealth’s first Chief Diversity Officer, she is committed to addressing racial, ethnic, disability, gender-based, and other cultural inequities in formal and informal policies and practices in Virginia state government. Prior to her appointment, Dr. Underwood served as Old Dominion University’s Director of Diversity Initiatives and as the chair of the President’s Task Force on Inclusive Excellence. Dr. Underwood also served for a number of years as a national board certified teacher for students with exceptionalities in Hampton City Schools. She earned her Bachelor’s (1998) and Master’s (2002) degrees from Hampton University in Psychology and Behavior/Learning Disorders, respectively. In 2015, she earned her Ph.D. in Curriculum and Instruction from Old Dominion University, where her research focused on culturally relevant pedagogy.

Ted Lewis, executive director at Side by Side

Ted Lewis serves as the Executive Director for Side by Side, which is dedicated to creating supportive communities where Virginia’s LGBTQ+ youth can define themselves, belong, and flourish. Ted has over a decade of experience advocating for LGBTQ+ youth in high education at UNC Charlotte and the University of Richmond. Ted was recognized for their work by Style Weekly as one of Richmond’s 40 under 40 in 2018 and received Virginia Pride’s Firework Award in 2019.

Moderated by Patrice Lewis, senior adviser at SIR and PRSA Richmond DE&I chair

Menu

Chicken marsala, chef’s choice of sides and veggies, warm rolls with red velvet cake for dessert. A choice of salad, with or without meat, is also available. Make your selection when registering, and be sure to pick up your salad ticket upon checking in for the luncheon if you choose that option.

RSVP Policy

All RSVPs for lunch meetings must be made by 5 p.m. on MONDAY of the week of a meeting. After that time, members and guests will need to call Sara Hunt at (804) 994-1120 to see if space is still available or to be put on a waiting list if needed. Please RSVP early in order to ensure that you are included in the headcount for lunch! If you register as a guest and later determine that you cannot attend, please contact Sara Hunt, chapter administrator, at admin@prsarichmond.org. You must cancel prior to three business days in advance of the meeting to be eligible for a refund. If you cancel after that deadline, you will still be responsible for the lunch payment and will be billed if you didn't already pay online. No-shows will be billed for the lunch.

Event Contact

Sara Hunt, chapter administrator
(804) 994-1120
admin@prsarichmond.org