November 7-8, 2024 
Distinguished Speaker-Panelists
FREEDOM ON THE TABLE
Defending Democracy, Decency, & DEI

Thursday, Nov 7, 2023
1:00 pm to 4:00 pm Eastern

Afternoon Program
The Election Is Over.
​Now What???
​Thursday, Nov 2, 2023
​1:00 pm to 4:00 pm Eastern

Wilson A. Copeland, II ESQ

Wilson A Copeland, II is a native of Detroit, Michigan, where he attended Central High School, graduating in 1966, followed by graduation from Fisk University (70) and Vanderbilt University Law School (73). He has practiced in the Detroit area since completing his legal studies.

A partner in the law firm of Grier, Copeland & Williams, P. C., the primary focus of his practice has been as a trial attorney involved in the defense of physicians, dentists, nurses, and hospital systems who are parties to medical malpractice litigation.  Mr. Copeland also serves as an Arbitrator for the American Arbitration Association on mesothelioma cases and as a Facilitator and Mediator in private Alternative Dispute Resolution matters.

He is a member of the Michigan Association of Defense Trial Counsel. He has served on the State Bar of Michigan Judicial Qualifications Committee and as an Investigator for the Michigan Attorney Grievance Commission.
He is regularly listed in "Crain's Detroit Business" as one of the area's "Top Lawyers," and for over twenty years, he has been listed in "Best Lawyers in America." 

He also enjoys membership in two honorary legal societies:  The American Board of Trial Advocates (ABOTA), where he previously served on the Executive Board of the Michigan Chapter of that organization; in 2018, he was the Chapter President.
 
In 2021, he received the Michigan Chapter of ABOTA's Civility Award.  His other membership is in The International Academy of Trial Lawyers, and admission to both of these organizations, ABOTA and the International Academy of Trial Lawyers, is strictly through invitation.

Mr. Copeland also received the 2023 Outstanding Achievement Award from the Negligence Section of the State Bar of Michigan.
A Life Member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc., he is also a member of The Cabinet, The Association, Sigma Pi Phi Fraternity (The Boulé), and the National Association of Guardsmen.

He has previously served on the Board of Directors of the Detroit Institute of Arts and the Board of Directors of Hospice of Michigan.  
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A fourth-generation member of the African Methodist Episcopal Church (AME), he is on the Trustee Board of St. Paul AME Church in Detroit, service previously provided by both his mother and father.
 
December of 2021 marked 50 years of marriage to Deborah Fitzgerald Copeland; their daughter, Lauren Copeland N'Namdi, a graduate of Spelman College and Pratt Institute, lives in Miami, Florida, with her husband, Jumaane N'Namdi and their daughters, Nataki and Shola.

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Simma Lieberman
Simma Lieberman known as "The Inclusionist," has dedicated over three decades to creating inclusive cultures where people thrive. Her passion lies in building "Inclusive Leaders from the Inside Out," helping organizations unlock their full potential through diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI).
Simma's work has taken her across industries as a speaker, facilitator, and consultant. She's recognized as a thought leader in DEI, having authored three books on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion and one on Stress Management and Resilience.  She has contributed to major publications like The Wall Street Journal, NY Times, and Forbes. Her ideas have reached audiences through various media outlets, including CNN and NPR.
In 2019, Simma was honored with the Global Diversity and Inclusion Leadership Award from the World Human Resource Development Congress in Mumbai.


Her approach combines a sociological background (BA from Colegio Cesar Chavez) with a holistic perspective (MA in Holistic Health Education from Columbia Pacific University). Simma is known for her ability to bring people together across differences, using humor to make challenging conversations accessible and engaging.
For the past four years, she has hosted the award-winning podcast.  "Everyday Conversations on Race" www.raceconvo.com , a cross-race dialogue to eliminate fear of differences, stop hate, and spread love.


Originally a Bronx, New York native, Simma now calls Berkeley, California home. Whether she's speaking to a crowd or having a one-on-one conversation, her goal remains the same: to create inclusive environments where everyone can do their best work and feel valued.
Rev. Dr. Ray Hammond
Rev. Dr. Ray Hammond is a true visionary and leader, co-founding Bethel A.M.E. in Boston alongside his wife of 51 years, Gloria. The church recently celebrated its 35th anniversary. As the son of a Baptist preacher and a schoolteacher in Philadelphia, Rev. Hammond's early years instilled in him and his younger brother a deep sense of purpose and a passion for service.

After attending public schools in Philadelphia, Hammond, entered Harvard College as a sophomore at the age of 15 and earned his bachelor's degree at age 19 and his medical degree from Harvard Medical School at age 23. His educational journey continued when he earned a master's degree in religion from Harvard Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, where he focused on Christian and medical ethics.

Rev. Hammond is a man of many hats, with a heart for social justice and a deep commitment to his community. He is the co-founder and chairman of the Ten Point Coalition, an ecumenical group of Christian clergy and lay leaders mobilizing the Greater Boston community around issues affecting black and Latino youth. He is also an Executive Committee member of the Black Ministerial Alliance, chair of the Boston Opportunity Agenda, a Strategy Team member of the Greater Boston Interfaith Organization, and a member of the Boston Green Ribbon Commission.


He serves as a trustee of the Yawkey Foundation, the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum, the John F. Kennedy Library Foundation, BMC Health System, and the MATCH School. He previously served as chairman of The Boston Foundation. Rev. Hammond's contributions to the world of social justice and community building are significant, and his impact is felt far and wide. He is a Fellow of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences and has received numerous honors and honorary doctorates, a testament to his unwavering commitment to making the world a better place.


Rev. Hammond is a warm and compassionate man, with a heart full of love and a spirit full of grace. He is a true inspiration to all who know him, and his tireless work on behalf of his community is a testament to his unwavering dedication to justice, equity, and compassion.


The Hammonds are the proud parents of two daughters, Rev. Mariama White-Hammond (husband, Turahn Dorsey) and Adiya White-Hammond, and one grandchild, Rynn.
Leverett Wing
Leverett Wing is the Executive Director of the Commonwealth Seminar, a non-partisan organization seeking to "Open the Doors of Government to Everyone" by educating advocates and leaders who live in & work with underserved communities about the "ins & outs" and "essentials" of working with, and within, all levels of government.


Before the Seminar, Leverett led the Community Services Division at The MA Department of Housing & Community Development, overseeing a budget of over $200 million. Leverett was also the Executive Director of Asian & Pacific Islander American Vote (APIAVote), a national, D.C. based organization focusing on civic engagement in the Asian American community. Before that, Leverett helped spearhead an effort to create the Massachusetts Asian American Commission and was named the Commission's first permanent Executive Director.


Leverett also serves on the boards of several highly respected organizations. Among them, Leverett sits on the Board of Overseers at Joslin Diabetes Center, the Board of Advisors at Eastern Bank, the Board of Overseers of the Boston Children's Museum, and the Board of Overseers of 'GBH-TV/Radio.


He also serves on the Board of Directors of Boston's Higher Ground in Roxbury, Massachusetts. Leverett is also a Board member for Meet Boston and serves on the Bureau's Multicultural Committee.


In Boston, Leverett was recognized by Get Konnected as one of their "One Hundred Most Influential People of Color" and is a recipient of the prestigious "Good Guy Award" from the M.A. Women's Political Caucus, only the second Asian American to receive the award.


IN 2021, The Multicultural Symposium Series Empowerment Breakfast honored Leverett for his unwavering leadership and commitment to communities across the region.
Dr. William Nancarrow
Dr. William Nancarrow is a Professor of History at Curry College, where he teaches U.S. History, Constitutional Law, and General Education courses. Each election cycle since 2012, he has taught a class called "Electing the President," a real-time analysis of the national election where students research a battleground state, predict a winner on election day, and then monitor election returns that night on a live broadcast with Curry's WMLN radio station. We will be joined by this year's class to offer their thoughts on the election.

Curry College is a private liberal arts college in Milton, Massachusetts. It was founded as the School of Elocution and Expression by Anna Baright in 1879. In 1885, it was taken over and renamed by Samuel Silas Curry.