Vernā is a DEI pioneer. She is a highly sought-after DEI Keynote Speaker and DEI Consultant. She’s well-known for captivating audiences with her high-energy keynotes, profound insights, and ability to foster authentic connections and meaningful dialogue. With nearly three decades of experience, her work as an inclusion strategist, cultural innovator, thought leader, and social commentator has guided myriad organizations across the world in dismantling barriers to inclusion and equity across race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, socioeconomic class, religion, and other differences. Her expertise and experience - personal and professional - have been instrumental in guiding workplaces toward embracing and integrating diversity, inclusion, equity, and belonging in all facets of workplace operations.

Hailing from Baltimore’s working class, Vernā’s journey saw her rise to prominence as a distinguished alumna of Barnard College, Columbia University, and Harvard Law School, founder of The Vernā Myers Company, and the inaugural head of Inclusion Strategy at Netflix, where she led a global team in curating and implementing strategies to integrate cultural diversity, inclusion, and equity into all aspects of the company’s operations.

An accomplished author, Vernā’s two best-selling books, “Moving Diversity Forward: Going from Well-Meaning to Well-Doing” and “What If I Say The Wrong Thing? 25 Habits for Culturally Effective People” have garnered widespread acclaim. Her inspiring TED talk, “How to Overcome Our Biases? Walk Boldly Towards Them,” has amassed over 5 million views and has been translated into 27 languages. Collaborating with Ariana Huffington and Thrive Global, Vernā’s micro-course, “Confronting Biases,” has been taken by nearly a million learners worldwide and is consistently recognized as one of the top ten LinkedIn Learning courses. Vernā is also the host and producer of the podcast Sundays with Verna, which is available on Apple iTunes and Spotify.

Vernā’s trademarked quote: “Diversity is being invited to the party. Inclusion is being asked to dance” ® encapsulates her enduring commitment to fostering inclusive environments. The statement has been quoted countless times by DEI professionals and everyday individuals from various industries and all over the world.

Vernā’s company, TVMC, provides its own brand of DEI online training courses through www.tvmcu.com. The courses, featuring Verna herself, include the energy and no shame, blame, or attack approach she brings when delivering her keynotes and workshops.

Among her many accolades, Vernā’s impact has been recognized by numerous institutions, including the California Association of Black Lawyers, the Black Women Lawyers Association of Los Angeles Foundation, CODE Crew recognized her DEI Person of the Year (2021), and Diversity Woman named her one of the Top 100 Black Women Executives. Vernā was elected as a Fellow of the College of Law Practice Management, serves as a Board Member of UC Hastings College of Law’s Work Life Law program, and received the Diversity Champion award from Pepper Hamilton LLP. She has been honored as one of the “25 Influential Black Women in Business” by The Network Journal and celebrated as a “Diversity Hero” by The Massachusetts Lawyer’s Weekly. Earlier in her career, Vernā held pivotal roles, such as the first Executive Director of The Boston Law Firm Group and Deputy Chief of Staff for the Attorney General of Massachusetts. She also practiced corporate and real estate law for six years at Testa, Hurwitz & Thibeault LLP and Fitch, Wiley, Richlin & Tourse LLP.

Launching his career as assistant to the Jonas Brothers, Benoni Tagoe quickly became a part of the band’s day-to-day management team and through that experience developed a keen sense of entrepreneurship. Since then, Tagoe has produced content for both TV and New Media on platforms that have collectively garnered over 20 million views. In a dual role, Tagoe was the Head of Business Development for Issa Rae Productions, which became HOORAE (The Mis-Adventures of Awkward Black Girl and HBO’s ‘Insecure’)and President of Raedio (Issa Rae’s music initiative).

Throughout his career Benoni has closed multiple joint venture record deals (Atlantic Records & Def Jam), podcast overall deals (Audible and Stitcher) and acted as a liaison between talent and securing funding for the next step of their careers.

Additionally, Benoni has been profiled as a “Modern Man” in Black Enterprise magazine for his work with his management & consulting company, The Bizz Plan, which has worked with various media brands, including Uninterrupted (LeBron James’ sports platform).

Shabazz Larkin is a figurative artist, poet, sculptor, book-maker and an ambassador for mindfulness meditation.

Larkin, from Norfolk Virginia, works from his studio in Nashville, TN, creating figures, portraits, and monuments that celebrate Black culture. His overwhelming use of color and bold typography thinly veils his true intention to explore issues of justice, history, spirituality, and the power of Black joy.

Larkin is the founder of The Museum of Presence, an institution without walls, taking the form of a newspaper and podcast led by a cohort of BIPoC artists, curators, and mindfulness professionals, working to spotlight the creative community of Nashville and the greater American South, with mindfulness and creativity at the heart.

Shabazz has a long list of private collaborators, from his former 20-year career in the commercial creative industry from organizations like the Obama Foundation, Google, and Sony to moguls like Bill Gates, Maya Angelou, and a long list of other kings, presidents, and global brands. Shabazz has won every award in the business from the One Show Pencil to the Cannes Lion.

In 2020 however, Shabazz left the commercial ad industry to follow a passion to make meditation and mindfulness teachings accessible to BIPoC communities. Shabazz now serves as the head of content for a Mindfulness app, called True Voice, designed from the ground up with Black and brown people in mind. (truevoiceapp.com)

He is also the author of several books that grapple with food or mindfulness, his latest is “The Thing About Bees: A Love Letter to My Sons” a book about fear, love, and the fragility of our food system. He is the founder of Larkin Art & Company, an art gallery, and proprietor of artifacts, experiences, and books rooted in African American culture and identity. (www.larkinart.co)

Kiser Barnes is a visionary creative leader and experience maven who operates at the intersection of design, culture, and innovation. As Chief Creative Officer and Partner at Red Antler, he is known for designing fantastic futures for brands by seamlessly connecting emerging ideas with transformative experiences.
From disruptive startups to Fortune 100 giants, Kiser has been instrumental in shaping some of the world’s most iconic companies across a wide range of industries. He brings a holistic, forward-thinking approach to brand building, with a portfolio that spans brand design, advertising, apps, e-commerce, retail, experiential activations, gaming design, and packaging.
Recently, Kiser spearheaded Walmart’s groundbreaking entry into the metaverse with Walmart Land and led the acclaimed Delta Wonder Window experience at CES. His innovative work has earned him a Cannes Lions Grand Prix, and he was recognized as a 2023 Web3 Marketing Trailblazer by Ad Age, celebrating his role as a creative pioneer in emerging technology.
Before joining Red Antler, Kiser served as Head of Design and Innovation at Digitas/Publicis Groupe, where he guided a diverse array of clients, including LVMH, Google, Delta Air Lines, Crocs, Visa, Four Seasons, Calvin Klein, Lincoln Motor Co., and many more.

Kettelie Dubuisson is an accomplished experiential creative director with a passion for crafting immersive brand experiences. With 13 years of experience in the creative + design industry, she specializes in translating brand narratives into captivating live events, interactive installations, and multi-sensory campaigns.
Known for her innovative approach and strategic mindset, Kettelie has successfully executed and led cross-functional teams in delivering impactful designs + experiences for a diverse range of clients spanning industries such as tech, music, media and entertainment.

Robert Williams has 18 years of experience in retail, with a passion for people leadership at the heart of everything he does. Currently, he serves as a District Manager for Starbucks Coffee Company, where he was promoted to District Manager Trainer within his first year. Throughout his career, Robert has co-created the Happy to Help theme for Sam’s Club and Walmart and pioneered the HBCU Retail Leadership Challenge for Target. He’s also known for opening new stores and launching company pilots for major retailers, including Sam’s Club, Target, BJ’s Wholesale Club, and Starbucks.One of his proudest accomplishments is helping over 30 friends, family members, and mentees get promoted, using his ability to authentically connect with the leaders he serves and provide tangible value quickly.On a personal note, Robert made the best decision of his life on August 21, 2021, when he got down on one knee and asked Tiesha to marry him. Now, over two years into marriage, they’re building a beautiful life together. They love traveling, especially to Grand Paraiso near Cancun, and enjoy working out at Orange Theory. While both are great in the kitchen, Tiesha holds the title of kitchen master.Robert is also passionate about memorializing his ideas through his collection of books under the title Raw Guidance. His first book, TITO: Turning Interviews to Offers, is expected to be wrapped up by the end of the year and serves as a comprehensive guide to acing interviews. His second book, Keeping Her Excited, focuses on nurturing and strengthening relationships through acts of service.A fan of being read to, Robert’s top recommendations include The Gap and The Gain, Black Privilege, and The Power of Vulnerability. At the end of the day, Robert’s legacy is about helping others succeed, making his nieces and nephews proud to call him “Unc,” and hearing his wife Tiesha say, “I’m so proud of you” with her beautiful smile.

Jeffrey L. Bowman is the CEO and founder of Reframe AI Technologies and Reframe Consulting Services. He is an inventor, pioneer of a change operating system and inclusive experience design approach that helps leaders accelerate and operationalize inclusive change and growth at scale.

Bowman is a two-time award-winning Wiley published author and Campaign US 40 Over 40. A former senior partner and managing director at Ogilvy & Mather in New York City, one of the world’s largest advertising and communications agencies. It was there Bowman pioneered the industry’s first cultural practice that modernized the marketing and communications industry.

His work has been featured in The New York Times, Campaign, The Economist, Fast Company, NBC (Today Show), Fortune to name a few and he speaks frequently at industry and trade events across the United States, Europe, and South America.

"Omar Cherie, I'm a conceptual copywriter based in Brooklyn with a desire to travel the world. I recently got laid off and decided to lean into what I know best: my creativity. So, I started the "Hire Me Experiment," an exercise of extreme transparency. I am attempting to get hired in the AD industry with 0 connections. This is a real-time journey to working with big brands and AD agencies or becoming one of my own."