Black Voices

Being a ‘Part of the Solution’

Visit Baltimore President and CEO Al Hutchinson is grateful for the opportunities he has had in the travel and tourism business. At the same time, he’s seeking ways to make CVBs — and the communities they serve — more equitable, diverse, and inclusive.

BY Michelle Russell November 1, 2021

Allyship and Inclusion Shouldn’t Be ‘Heavy’

The second edition of Uplifting Impact’s inclusion and allyship summit will be held virtually Oct. 4-6, with an emphasis on sparking joy.

BY Michelle Russell September 30, 2021

Telling the Stories of Underrepresented Communities

Melissa Cherry has made a career out of telling destinations’ often overlooked stories of diverse communities. In her new role with Miles Partnership, she’s using her 25 years of tourism experience to help organizations make DEI part of every conversation.

BY Casey Gale September 27, 2021

Michelle Mason Comes Full Circle

After stumbling into association management, Mason turned barriers into opportunities and used her platform to elevate others who are underrepresented. She now leads ASAE as president and CEO.

BY Curt Wagner September 20, 2021

In a Brand-New Role, Sonya Bradley Looks to ‘Make a Bit of a Mark’

As Visit Sacramento’s chief of diversity, equity, and inclusion, Sonya Bradley is applying her marketing and communications background at the bureau she has served for 19 years to social justice issues — locally and more broadly.

BY Michelle Russell September 15, 2021

Dzidra Junior: ‘The Hybrid Workforce Helps With Work-life Integration’

Earlier this year, Dzidra Junior left her long-term and high-level position at MGM Resorts International for a new role at the charitable nonprofit YMCA of the Rockies. She spoke with Convene about her time in the industry and her big career move.

BY Casey Gale August 18, 2021

‘Be Yourself, and Everybody Else Can Adjust to You’

PCMA Groundbreaker Ashlee Ammons, president and co-founder of event tech company Mixtroz, on how she and her mother found funding — and their way — in a white, male-dominated industry.

BY Casey Gale July 26, 2021

Who’s in Charge of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion?

An HR services company found that diversity, equity, and inclusion is not anyone’s responsibility at 17 percent of nearly 400 companies it recently surveyed. PCMA EduCon Main Stage speaker Janet Stovall says it’s everyone’s responsibility — and business has the power to solve racial inequity.

BY Michelle Russell July 22, 2021

Becoming a JEDI Warrior: The Four Bs of Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion at Events

Justice is key everywhere, but is especially important in the event industry, Tanya Gibson of Big Brothers Big Sisters of America told the EduCon 2021 audience.

BY Casey Gale July 14, 2021

Celebrating Juneteenth at Emancipation Park

President Joe Biden signed a bill Thursday designating Juneteenth, a day commemorating the end of slavery in the United States, a federal holiday. It marks the day when — as

BY Barbara Palmer June 17, 2021

Remembering George Floyd

What comes next for Meet Minneapolis, says CEO Melvin Tennant, is being built on a foundation of equity.

BY Barbara Palmer May 24, 2021

Janet Stovall on Getting Serious About Diversity and Inclusion

The PCMA EduCon Main Stage speaker says challenging companies to commit to diversity, inclusion, and equity should come with specific goals — and consequences.

BY Michelle Russell May 19, 2021

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