Diversity & Inclusion (U)

<p>Michael Sam encourages you to boldly and courageously pursue your dreams and define your success with his impassioned personal story of resilience over life&#39;s challenges.</p><p>A University of Missouri football star primed for an early round pick in the 2014 NFL draft, Michael’s talents on the field were nearly sidelined when he came out as gay during an ESPN interview. While his revelation sent shockwaves through the sports world and resulted in a last round pick by the St.

<p>Dr. Joan Morgan is an award-winning journalist and author, and a provocative cultural critic. Morgan's passion and commitment to the accurate documentation of hip-hop culture combined with adept cultural criticism placed her at the forefront of music journalism.</p><p>She was one of the original staff writers at <i>Vibe</i> magazine and a contributing editor and columnist for<i> Spin</i>.

<p>With more than two decades of experience in groundbreaking storytelling, Emmy Award-winning journalist and bestselling author Lisa Ling shares stories of her dramatic career to educate and inspire audiences to live without limits.</p><p>Over a twenty-year career in media, journalist Lisa Ling has dedicated herself to shedding light on stories impacting the world in which we live. She joined CBS News in 2023 after 15 years with CNN, where she hosted This Is Life with Lisa Ling.

<p>Diversity speaker Helen Zia is an award-winning journalist and a contributing editor to <em>Ms.</em> magazine, where she was formerly executive editor. Her articles, essays, and reviews have appeared in many newspapers and magazines. She has contributed essays to several anthologies, and was executive editor of the book, "Notable Asian-Americans".

<p>Jamelle Bouie, a columnist for the <em>New York Times</em> and former political analyst for CBS News, covers U.S. politics, public policy, race, and elections—including the unprecedented upcoming 2024 U.S. elections. </p><p>Jamelle’s political instincts provide audiences with unique insight on the past, present, and future of our national politics, policy, and the state of race relations.

<p>Jeff Henderson inspires with his emotional journey of redemption from the streets to the stove, sharing real-life strategies to help you achieve your dreams, no matter your stage of life.</p>

<p>Vandana Shiva is one of the world's most respected environmental activists and feminists. A trained physicist, she received her Ph.D. at the University of Western Ontario, and since the 1970s, has been a vocal figure in the conservation movement.</p><p>A leader in the International Forum on Globalization (IFG) along with Ralph Nader and Jeremy Rifkin, Vandana Shiva fights actively for changing practices in agriculture and the way humans view food.

<p>Dr. Julianne Malveaux has long been recognized for her progressive and insightful observations. She is a labor economist, noted author and colorful commentator. Described by Cornel West as “the most iconoclastic public intellectual in the country”. Her contributions to the public dialogue on issues such as race, culture, gender and their economic impacts are shaping public opinion in 21st Century America.</p><p>Dr. Malveaux’s popular writing has appeared in <i>USA Today</i>, <i>Black Issues in Higher Education</i>, <i>Ms.

<p>An award-winning journalist, <em>New York Times</em> bestselling author, and one of the most recognized voices in radio, Michele Norris engages audiences in candid discussion about current events, social issues, and bridging the divide in America. </p><p>From the radio airwaves of NPR to <em>The Washington Post </em>to her current role as MSNBC Senior Contributor, Michele Norris is one of the most trusted voices in American journalism. </p><p>For a decade, as host of National Public Radio’s longest-running program, “All Things Conside

<p>World-class athlete and best-selling author Kyle Maynard has never considered his physical differences to be a disability, but rather just another obstacle that cannot stop him from realizing his dreams.</p><p>On first sight, Maynard is obviously exceptional. He is a quadruple congenital amputee, which means that his arms end at the elbows, and his legs extend to just past his knees. His adamant refusal to accept the limitations of this condition, however, is what truly sets him apart.