November 2-3  2023 
Virtual Conference Keynote  Speakers
Melonie Parker and Atty. Sophia Hall
​All On The Zoom Platform

Innovation, Inspiration, & Action
Triumph over Tyranny:
​Advancing DEIBM In The Midst Of Adversity

DEIBM According To GOOGLE
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Thursday, November 2, 2023
10 am - 12 am Eastern

Melonie Parker
MELONIE D. PARKER | Corporate Pioneer Chief Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Officer, Google, Inc. 
Award-winning corporate leader Melonie D. Parker is the Global Chief Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Officer of Google, Inc. Ms. Parker's career has spanned more than three decades, during which she has delivered measurable impact and equitable outcomes for communities across the globe. 
Known for coining the mantra, "We exist to close gaps," Ms. Parker has pioneered legions of women in corporate environments with a deep commitment to advancing internal and external engagement strategies with a proven blueprint for more inclusive and accessible companies where everyone belongs. Ms. Parker is an innovative C-suite thought leader who is passionate about people and organizations who remain faithful to making a substantive impact. 


As the driver of Google's commitment to addressing the tech industry's lack of diversity in its workforce and amongst emerging entrepreneurs, Parker works with academic institutions and aspiring business leaders to help build pathways and expand the pipeline to tech. She also partners with institutions and organizations to spearhead trailblazing research. Her proudest achievement is the development and ongoing execution of Google's racial equity commitments, which are focused on building internally and externally sustainable equity. 


Before Google, Parker served as Vice President of Human Resources & Communications at Sandia National Laboratories, overseeing human resources, health benefits, and employee services. The first Black woman to serve in the role, she was also responsible for Sandia's communications efforts, which included strategic planning, executive communications, media relations, external branding, community affairs, and internal communications. 


Parker held various progressive leadership roles over 17 years at Lockheed Martin, and during her time there, she managed employee relations, staffing, diversity programs, compensation and benefits packages, and K-12 outreach initiatives. She is also a graduate of Lockheed Martin's Executive Assessment & Development Program—a rare accomplishment for women of color and Human Resources professionals. 


Parker received a B.A. in Mass Communications from Hampton University and an M.A. in Human Resources from Villanova University. Named to Savoy Magazine's 2023 Most Influential Executives in Diversity & Inclusion, recognized by the Hampton University Alumni Association, nominated as a Corporate Catalyst on AfroTech's Future 50 List for 2023, and presented with a Sisters with Superpowers award presented by Rolling Out UrbanStyle Weekly, Parker was named HR Professional of the Year in 2016 by the New Mexico Society of Human Resource Management and in 2014, she was recognized with a Special Recognition Award at the Women of Color STEM Awards. 

Civil Rights Advocacy

Outreach To Vulnerable Communities
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Friday, November 3, 2023
10 am - 12:00 pm Eastern

Attorney Sophia Hall

Sophia Hall is the Deputy Litigation Director at Lawyers for Civil Rights (LCR), a non-profit legal organization founded at the request of President John F. Kennedy in the 1960s at the height of the Civil Rights Movement. LCR is one of the largest and oldest organizations in New England, working on legal and policy issues at the intersection of racial justice, immigration, public health, and entrepreneurship. LCR provides legal services to communities of color and immigrants facing discrimination. 


As an experienced litigator, Sophia handles a broad range of civil rights matters, focusing on employment and police misconduct litigation. Sophia's legal work is regularly featured in media such as the New York Times, the Boston Globe, and NPR. In addition to her litigation, Sophia spearheads Election Protection, a non-partisan voter protection initiative that mobilizes thousands of volunteers statewide to ensure equal access to the ballot box. Sophia has been recognized as "Lawyer of the Year" by Massachusetts Lawyers Weekly, a "Top Lawyer" by the Boston Magazine, and as one of Boston's Most Impactful Black Women. 


Prior to joining LCR, Sophia was a Staff Attorney with the AIDS Action Committee of Massachusetts, New England's largest HIV/AIDS service organization. There, she represented low-income individuals living with HIV/AIDS on a wide range of legal issues and advised the organization on legal matters. Sophia also worked at the Boston College Law School Legal Assistance Bureau, supervising law students in various civil matters. 


Governor Maura Healey recently appointed Sophia to the Council for Black Empowerment, where she advises the Commonwealth on community matters. She also serves on the Board of Directors for Community Servings, a non-profit organization that provides medically-tailored meals to low-income people living with disabilities. She is the Chair of the Boston Bar Association's Civil Rights and Civil Liberties Section. Sophia actively mentors other women of color attorneys and law students through the Women's Bar Association and the Boston College Law School Black Alumni Network. 


Sophia is a graduate of Boston College Law School, where she served on the National Frederick Douglass Moot Court Team. She holds a bachelor's degree from Emory University. She is also a recent graduate of Harvard Business School's Executive Leadership Program for Women of Color. Sophia lives in Boston with her fiancé, Jemel Robinson, and their daughter, Rosaria Robinson.