November 6-7, 2025
Distinguished Speaker-Panelists
UNSHAKEN VOICES
Charting A New Multicultural Future
Thursday, Nov 6, 2025
Friday, Nov 7, 2025
SU JOUN
|
Su Joun (she/her/hers)
Principal, Diversity@Workplace Consulting Group LLC Su Joun is the Principal of Diversity@Workplace Consulting Group LLC, which works with organizations to diversify their workforce and create inclusive, equitable work environments through consultation and training. Previously, she served as the Vice President of Talent, Diversity, and Inclusion at Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts (BCBSMA), where she led the enterprise diversity and inclusion, talent acquisition and recruiting, performance management, and leadership development teams, as well as the associate engagement team. In addition to her expertise in diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) and talent management, Su has held leadership roles in IT & operations, marketing, sales, and call centers across multiple companies and industries. She is also a robust entrepreneur, having started and owned her own magazine publishing company. Su has taught Global Human Resources, Organizational Behavior, and CareerLaunch at Suffolk University. She has presented to numerous audiences, including the Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce, CFO Roundtable, UMass Center for Collaborative Leadership, NEHRA, HubWeek, General Assembly, Skillsoft Conference, NAAAP, ALPFA, Association of Independent Colleges & Universities, and the Boston Bar Association. Su is relentlessly passionate and driven about creating equity and access to education and career opportunities. |
ROBIN THOMPSON
|
Robin Thompson is a professional fundraising coach, trainer, and speaker. In her business, she leverages the power of AI tools to enhance business efficiency and drive growth. Using GPT, Magai's text manipulation and imaging, and Canva's design interface, Robin unlocks the potential of these AI tools to revolutionize traditional business operations. She uses these technologies in her everyday business practices. She believes in transforming complexity into simplicity, making AI an accessible and essential part of every professional's toolkit.
Robin managed over $17 million in assets as Executive Director. As Vice President, Robin and her staff were responsible for raising over $10 million annually. She successfully designed and implemented a $3.9 million Comprehensive Campaign. Robin closed two debt reduction campaigns, each raising several million dollars in under a year. She has built endowments from less than $100,000 to over $2 million in less than two years. Currently, she is 97% toward the goal of $38 million for the construction of the Eagle Valley Trail. Robin has a fundraising certificate from Indiana University School of Philanthropy. Her BS degree is from West Virginia University, and she has a master's degree from the University of Utah. Her recently published book is Putting the Fun in FUNdraising: The Secrets to Raising More Money, Faster and Easier. Robin and her husband, Tim, live outside Vail, Colorado. |
DR. EVELYN D. LEE
|
A versatile and skilled educator with 40 years of experience, Dr. Evelyn D. Lee holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Music Education, with a concentration in voice and piano, from Alabama A&M University, and a Master of Education degree from Simmons College, with a concentration in Teaching and Leadership. She also studied extensively at The Boston Conservatory of Music (Opera and Performance), the University of Massachusetts, with a concentration in Leadership in Urban School Doctoral program, and Harvard University, earning a certificate in the Leaders of Learners program. As a recent graduate of the School of the Great Commission Bible College and Seminary, Dr. Lee continues to bridge the conceptual frameworks of strategic leadership in ministry, education, and community development.
Dr. Lee has prepared choruses for three performances for President Bill Clinton (Timilty Supreme Chorus) and three performances for President Barack Obama (The Voices of Renaissance), which include four performances at the White House. She has performed with her choruses for Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, Boston Symphony Hall Gospel Night at the Pops, The Wang Center for the Performing Arts, Harvard University, the New England Conservatory of Music, Boston City Hall, the Massachusetts State House, and the John F. Kennedy Library. Dr. Lee, with her choirs, has also performed at the Schubert Theater, The Timberland Co., MFS Investment Management Co., and for the National Conference for Community and Justice (Boston Chapter). In addition, Dr. Lee has directed gospel choirs at The New England Conservatory, the University of Massachusetts Boston, and Brandeis University. Dr. Lee has also traveled with her choirs to Georgia and performed at Spelman College, Morehouse College, Fort Valley State University, Atlanta Public Schools, Ebenezer Baptist Church at the Martin Luther King, Jr. National Historic Site, Baltimore, and Washington, D.C., performing for area middle and high schools and organizations in the area. The choirs have also traveled to New Jersey, Delaware, and Philadelphia. Other performances for the Voices of Renaissance include the National Edison Client Conference (Colorado Springs, Colorado), The Reebok International Humanitarian Awards with Peter Gabriel, the Boston Public Library Foundation, The Microsoft Corporation, The American Cancer Society, Boston's Mayor Thomas Menino Inaugural, Mayor Mary Walsh's Inaugural, and the National Grant Makers Association. Ms. Lee, with her choirs, also toured Philadelphia, New York City, performing in area public and private schools as well as the famed Apollo Theater. The Voices of Renaissance also performed for Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor, Harvard University, for the Urban Law classes of the late Professor Charles Ogletree, and the late Archbishop Desmond Tutu at Wheelock College. Performances also include a guest artist for the Boston Pops Orchestra for Gospel Night, 2011. The Voices also performed for President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama at the White House in December of 2011, December 2012, and November 2016. The Voices of Renaissance produced a hit Single, "Today I Will Be Great" (iTunes). The Voices of Renaissance performed for the Boston Celtics Basketball Team, Disney World, Florida, Disneyland, California, and traveled to Beijing, China, to perform for the Beijing Royal School. Dr. Lee is also a professional singer, continuing to perform locally and nationally as both a classical soprano and a gospel artist. She has performed with Patti LaBelle, Whoopi Goldberg, and The New England Spiritual Ensemble. She sang in the movie "Blown Away", starring Tommy Lee-Jones and Forrest Whitaker. She has performed with Keith Lockhart and the Boston Pops Orchestra and has also shared the stage as a choral conductor with the late Seiji Osawa, former Conductor of the Boston Symphony Orchestra. During the Christmas season, Ms. Lee was a featured soloist for the Boston Pops Orchestra, performing songs arranged by Maestro Charles Floyd. Among her many awards, she is the recipient of the Boston Public Schools Golden Apple Award-Teacher of the Year. She was also nominated for the Massachusetts Teacher of the Year Award in the same year. Additionally, Dr. Lee has received the Women Amongst Us Award, African-Americans Making History Today Living Legend Award, Champions for Children Award, Dr. Ozzie Edwards Excellence in Education Award, Urban League Education Award, Omega Psi Phi Lifetime Achievement Award, Distinguished Music Educator Award, New England Conservatory Gospel Music Award, and the Senior Mentor Extraordinaire Award. Recently, Dr. Lee was inducted into the Berklee College of Music and the Gospel Music Hall of Fame. Dr. Lee has also served as the Music Director for the hit off-Broadway play, "Crowns" at the Lyric Theater in Boston. For 23 years at the Boston Renaissance Charter School, Dr. Lee served as Middle School Assistant Headmaster, Head of School, Executive Coach, Director of The Young Kings and First Ladies Mentoring Programs, The Dr. Roger F. Harris Oratorical Society, Professor Charles J. Ogletree Center for Debate and Discourse, and The Voices of Renaissance. Recently, Dr. Lee passed the baton as Director of Music at New Life Temple Church in Brockton, Massachusetts. After an illustrious 40-year career as an educator, school administrator, and 55 years of dedicated service in music ministry, Dr. Lee has retired, leaving a lasting legacy and inspiring the next generation of music educators throughout the Greater Boston area. Currently, Dr. Lee, in her new chapter, serves as an instructor for aspiring school principals seeking their Massachusetts Principal Certification, while also serving as a Certified Life and Success Coach. |
WYATT JACKSON
|
Wyatt Jackson is not just a storyteller — he is a story weaver, intertwining the rich threads of American folklore, from the pulsating rhythms of Hip-Hop and the intricate footwork of Body Percussion, Tap Dance, and Freestyle, to the expressive narratives of Musical Theater and Revue. As the Executive Director of the We Move in Color Collaborative, Inc., Wyatt uses his artistry to amplify the voices and stories of People of Color around the world. His work bridges movement, sound, and story, serving the creative economy of Greater Boston while inspiring audiences far beyond geographic boundaries.
Through his platform, WJStoryDesign, Wyatt champions the transformative power of stories. His mission is to design content that reflects the full tapestry of human experience, drawing inspiration from vernacular art, educational television, and the lineage of musical theater. Each project creates a space where the stories of people of color are not just told, but felt, understood, and celebrated. Under his leadership, storytelling becomes a tool for empathy, healing, and cultural understanding — transforming narrative into a force for community growth and social change. In addition to his work as an Emmy Award-winning artist and educator, Wyatt is the acclaimed author of Dancing with the Scars: My Choice, which debuted as the #1 New Release on Amazon.com and ranked #2 behind Bruce Springsteen's memoir, Born to Run. His book — part memoir, part meditation — embodies his lifelong pursuit of using creativity as a form of healing and empowerment. Whether on stage, in classrooms, or through the written word, Wyatt Jackson continues to model how storytelling can move us, shape us, and unite us across generations. He is married to Marcia Kimm-Jackson, also a speaker at the November 6th-7th Multicultural Conference. |
MARCIA KIMM-JACKSON
|
Marcia Kimm Jackson, Executive Coach, Curator, and Narrative Builder
Marcia Kimm-Jackson is the founder and creator of the Living Histories of Color Exhibit, an artistically inspired, pictorial, and narrative-based installation. She strongly believes in preserving history and identity through living, positive, truth-based participatory dialogue. She is a Boston-based professional whose work as an executive coach, racial equity advocate, leadership and community development practitioner, and visionary curator bridges community storytelling and accessible curation. With over 30 years of experience in HR, adult education, and nonprofit leadership, she has built a legacy of supporting and shaping communities through centering multicultural engagement, equity focus, and narrative, and collective advocacy action. A doctoral candidate in Leadership Psychology, Marcia holds certifications in emotional intelligence coaching, appreciative inquiry, and nonprofit leadership. As founder and president of the West Fairmount Hill Community Group and Together Hyde Park, which includes the Forum for Racial Equity via Educational Experiences (FREEE), Marcia creates spaces where belonging, advocacy, and imagination meet. Her work—spanning the Juneteenth Joy Celebration, the Healthy and Well Hyde Park Initiative, The Dignity Collaborative/The REJ Book Club, and community leadership forums—amplifies untold stories of dignity, creativity, and resilience. In 2023, she launched the Living Histories of Color (LHOC) Exhibit. This groundbreaking work celebrates the achievements and cultural legacies of Black and Brown residents, reframing how Boston's communities of color are seen and remembered. The Exhibit is a pictorial, narrative, and video-based exhibit that centers the stories of Boston's trailblazers, leaders, advocates, and champions of Color. It is a traveling exhibit that gives the public access to learn about and engage with the honorees featured within it. As she reflects on her curatorial vision, Marcia affirms: "The Living Histories of Color Exhibit is more than an installation—it is a declaration. Our communities are places of dignity, resilience, and creativity… Boston's legacy is alive in the stories and leadership of today's communities of Color." Marcia is married to Wyatt Jackson, one of the Distinguished Speakers at the November 6th-7th Multicultural Conference. |
ROBERT PRINCIPE
|
For over 30 years, Robert Principe's leadership has focused on supporting organizations in addressing the challenges associated with implementing effective diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) strategy. Robert has held multiple positions in the public and private sectors, most recently serving as Senior Manager for Diversity in the Executive Office of the Massachusetts Trial Court from June 2019 to July 2021.
As a D&I consultant and coach he has worked with a broad range of companies and organizations across multiple sectors including Aflac, Alzheimer's Association, American Airlines, American Institutes for Research, Amherst Regional Public Schools, Assured Partners Insurance, Big Sister Boston, Carbonite, Inc., Colgate University, College of the Holy Cross, EMC Corporation, Farm & Wilderness Foundation, Ferris State University, Flint Michigan Community School Board, Lowell Community Public Charter School, Metropolitan Area Planning Council, Massachusetts Teachers Association, Planned Parenthood League of MA, Providence College, Rivier University, University of Denver, University of Missouri, and Xerox Corporation. Robert's innovative coaching model, 10 Principles of Value-Based Decision-Making, has helped many leaders recognize the unconscious biases that can negatively influence their decision-making. Robert "Walks the Talk," and intentionally "Thinks Globally, and Acts Locally." He is currently working in his hometown of Holliston, MA, as a member of Diverse Holliston's Strategic Planning Team, and Chair of Holliston's Policy Advisory Committee (PAC), charged with reviewing "town policies and procedures through a diversity, equity, and inclusion lens." His newly published book, Excuse Me While I Skip a Beat: Working to Reinvent My Life and Leadership as a White Guy, is a timely narrative that takes on the crisis of America's divide. It is a straightforward chronicle of a White guy questioning his day-to-day acceptance of inequity and what to do about it. |
AYANA TAYLOR
|
Ayana Taylor is a multicultural mother, community leader, culture carrier, and advocate dedicated to advancing equity, inclusion, and access across every space she occupies.
A proud graduate of Central Connecticut State University, Ayana also holds Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Certifications from both Cornell University and the University of South Florida. She currently serves as Vice President of the Windsor Board of Education, where she has been a committed member since 2018. In 2024, she earned the Certificated Board of Education Member designation from the Connecticut Association of Boards of Education (CABE), recognizing her leadership and ongoing commitment to public education. Professionally, Ayana serves as Manager of Culture and Engagement at Eversource Energy, where she champions workplace culture, engagement, and belonging across a multi-state utility organization. Her work focuses on empowering Business (Employee) Resource Groups, enhancing cultural intelligence, and fostering spaces where all employees can thrive. A proud member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated for over 20 years, Ayana has long embodied the spirit of civic engagement and social responsibility. Her advocacy centers on creating equitable access to education, healthcare, housing, and workforce opportunities. When her son was diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder over a decade ago, her advocacy deepened, driving her to speak boldly on behalf of children with different abilities and the families who support them. Ayana's community impact has been recognized through numerous awards, including the Woman Within You Community Service Award, Community Leader Award, the Town of Windsor Human Relations Commission Bridge Builder Award, and the 100 Women of Color Award (2019), where she was honored alongside U.S. Congresswoman Jahana Hayes. Whether serving on local boards, leading DEI strategy in the corporate sector, or mentoring others, Ayana consistently brings a fresh perspective, authenticity, and courage to the tables where change happens—and when there isn't a seat, she brings her own. In addition to her civic and professional roles, Ayana is a Licensed Realtor and self-proclaimed charcuterie guru. She resides in Windsor, Connecticut, and is the proud mother of two teenage children, Chloe and Steven. |
KATHY MARTINDALE
|
Kathy Martindale is a results-driven professional with over 20 years of experience in financial services, talent strategy, and inclusive leadership. She currently serves as a financial services professional and registered representative with NYLIFE Securities LLC and an Agent with New York Life Insurance Company, where she helps individuals and families build financial security and long-term wealth.
Prior to joining New York Life, Kathy spent more than two decades at Fidelity Investments, where she served as the firm’s inaugural Head of Diversity Recruiting and Recruiter Readiness, leading enterprise-wide efforts to advance equity and inclusion in hiring. In that role, she led the design and execution of strategies that increased diverse hiring by 78% and applicant engagement by 290%. As a Consultant with Support to Succeed, Kathy partnered with community organizations to identify and prepare underrepresented talent for wealth-building, sustainable careers in the finance industry—while collaborating with employers to expand inclusive hiring pipelines. Kathy is the Immediate Past President of the Boston Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., where she now serves as Tri-Chair of the Scholarship Committee and was recently selected to be a member of The Delta PEARL program—a distinguished initiative of the sorority that celebrates and engages seasoned members through continued leadership, mentorship, and service within the sisterhood. She also serves on the Family Nurturing Center and Support to Succeed Boards, continuing her lifelong commitment to equity and empowerment. A trusted professional and consensus builder, Kathy brings a holistic approach to leadership—grounded in service, empowerment, and sustainable growth. She holds an MBA from Simmons College School of Management, along with FINRA Series 6 and 26 registrations, Life and Health Insurance licenses, and a Leading Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Certification from Northwestern University. Kathy is passionate about helping individuals and organizations thrive through intentional action, inclusion, and purpose-driven results. |
GLENN McGIBBON
|
Glenn McGibbon's background includes over two
decades of marketing communications and agency work across various industries, including Travel & Hospitality, Arts & Entertainment, Education, Publishing, Retail, and Consumer Expositions & Festivals. Committed to helping shape the global perception of the Greater Boston region, Glenn has worked at Meet Boston for the past 8 years as the Director of Web & Digital Marketing, while also serving on Meet Boston's Multicultural Committee. He oversaw the redesign of MeetBoston.com in 2023 and the development of AllinclusiveBos.com, a microsite of a culturally inclusive tourism campaign initiated by the City of Boston in partnership with CPC Communications, Proverb Agency, and Meet Boston. |
CAROLE COPELAND THOMAS
|
Carole Copeland Thomas has been impacting the world in a significant way for over thirty-eight years. Captivating audiences around the world since starting her business in 1987, Carole creates community as an internationally recognized keynote speaker, thought leader, and cultural collaborator.
She has spoken in nearly every state in the U.S. and nine other countries, including England, Canada, Kenya, India, Guyana, Japan, El Salvador, South Africa, and Australia. Carole presented her signature message on “Facing Fear” at the TEDx Waltham event in Massachusetts—available for viewing on the TEDx Channel on YouTube. In addition to her business activities, Carole served for 18 months as Interim Vice President and Chief Diversity Officer at Curry College in Milton, Massachusetts. She has visited more than 32 countries across six continents. She currently serves as an at-large Executive Board Member at Meet Boston, where she also chairs the Multicultural Committee. Born in DetroitDetroit, Michigan, is Carole’s birthplace. She was born into a loving family: Gwendolyn Charleston Copeland, a lifelong educator who spoke multiple languages, and Wilson A. Copeland, an international businessman and Tuskegee Airman during World War II. Carole and her brother, Attorney Wilson A. Copeland II, were both born at Burton Mercy Hospital—one of the few Black hospitals operating in Detroit when Black physicians were barred from practicing in white hospitals. Outreach to Worldwide IssuesCarole served as an adjunct faculty member at Bentley University for a decade. She co-founded a nonprofit international organization with nine other women following a 2005 trip to Kenya. The group returned in November 2007 to host their first International Conference in Mombasa, Kenya, and lead humanitarian projects. Her current humanitarian efforts focus on Southern India, aiding women and children in need throughout the region. Multicultural Symposium SeriesCarole is the founder of the Multicultural Symposium Series, a multi-year events initiative and online campaign designed to advance multicultural issues. An active blogger and social media strategist, she uses technology to expand her message and business development outreach. During the global pandemic, she hosted the Worldwide Multicultural Conference (2020) featuring 62 speakers from 12 countries across 6 continents. Subsequent virtual conferences (2021–2024) continued this global reach, with the November 2025 Conference set to engage an even broader international audience. It is the 19th Conference to date. US–UK Summit on RaceIn 2021, Carole co-founded the US–UK Summit on Race with three colleagues from the United States and the United Kingdom. The Summit explores strategies to address racism, hatred, and violence on both sides of the Atlantic. To date, 15 virtual events have been held, including the June 2025 Summit, which honored both Juneteenth and the legacy of George Floyd. Active in Community and Civic AffairsCarole is the former Tri-State Social Action Eastern Region Coordinator for Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. She continues to serve as an Executive Board Member and Chair of the Multicultural Committee at Meet Boston (formerly The Greater Boston Convention and Visitors Bureau). A lifetime member of the National Black MBA Association, she is a Past President of the Boston Chapter and Past National Vice Chair of the organization. Carole also chaired the Diversity and Inclusion Forum for the Northeast Human Resources Association (NEHRA). A 30-year member of the National Speakers Association (NSA), she has served in multiple leadership roles, including Past President of NSA New England. Education and Continued LearningCarole graduated with honors from Emory University in 1975. In 1983, she began graduate studies on a Martin Luther King, Jr. Academic Fellowship and earned her MBA from Northeastern University in Boston. She earned her Certified Diversity Meeting Professional (CDMP) designation from the International Association of Hispanic Meeting Professionals in 2011, and in 2015, became a Certified International Tour Manager (CITM) through the International Guide Academy, tying as the top student in her class. Mother and GrandmotherCarole is the proud mother of three children:
|