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Return on Inclusion Summit

Creating a Sense of Belonging in the Workplace

October 5, 2023

Tulsa Technology Center, Client Service Center 

3638 S Memorial Drive Tulsa, OK 74145

Registration is now closed.

Oklahoma’s largest professional diversity and inclusion conference returns, convening business, nonprofit and community leaders and professionals to educate and empower on the powerful return made when we invest in people. Return on Inclusion (ROI) reinforces the business case for diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) across all lines of difference.

For more details on the event, our speakers, and what to expect from the day, explore below.

Jump to: 

Conference Overview 

Keynote Presentations 

Program Highlights 

Fulton Streets Books & Coffee Curated Syllabus

Executive Breakfast

Attendee Downloads 

Our Supporters

Special Accommodations 

Return on Inclusion: Creating a Sense of Belonging in the Workplace presents an opportunity for organizations and individuals to learn from experts in creating a sense of belonging in the workplace. Whether you're an HR professional, a team leader, or an employee, you'll leave this event with valuable insights on how to build trust, foster psychological safety, and promote a sense of belonging in your workplace, gaining a deeper understanding of diversity, equity, and inclusion and inspire positive change in your organization. 

Key takeaways from our keynote addresses and breakout sessions are: 

  • Understanding the importance of fostering a sense of belonging in the workplace.
  • Building trust and psychological safety as essential to belonging. 
  • Developing actionable strategies to implement DEI initiatives.
  • The cost of exclusion and the value of mental wellness in the workplace.
  • Gaining insights on creating inclusive workplace cultures and unlocking employees’ full potential. 
KEYNOTE PRESENTATIONS

          

 

Rhodes Perry, MPA

Morning Keynote: Imagine the Power of Belonging at Work

Rhodes Perry is an award-winning social entrepreneur, best-selling author, sought-after keynoter. Nationally recognized as a diversity, equity, and inclusion thought leader, he has over 20 years of leadership experience, having worked at the White House, the Department of Justice, and PFLAG National. Media outlets like Forbes, The Wall Street Journal, and the Associated Press have featured his powerful work. He serves as the CEO of Rhodes Perry Consulting, a global leadership and management consulting firm helping executives build enduring cultures of belonging. He earned a BA from the University of Notre Dame, and a MPA from New York University. He serves on the National LGBTQ+ Chamber of Commerce’s Transgender Inclusion Task Force, and the Cascade AIDS Project’s Board of Directors.

>> Learn more about Rhodes and his keynote address here.

 

 

Natasha Bowman

Lunch Keynote: From Stigma to Support: A Call to Action for Workplace Mental Health

Recognized as a LinkedIn Top Voice for Workplace Mental Health, a Top 30 Global Guru for Management, and Top 200 Voices in Leadership, Natasha Bowman, JD, SPHR has labored to transform the American workplace from the inside out for nearly 20 years. As a champion for employees, she’s worked with a broad range of organizations as a c-suite HR executive to create an engaging environment where employees are respected, genuine leaders are cultivated, and top performance is achieved. Natasha is an award-winning, modern-day pioneer of workplace equality, inspiring organizations to not just pay lip service to workplace rights but craft highly-engaged cultures where every employee is truly dignified and valued for their contribution. Because of her ability to diagnose workplace issues and provide proven solutions to organizations, she is often referred to as The Workplace Doctor.

>> Learn more about Natasha and her keynote address here.

 

 

Elisa Glick

Afternoon Keynote Workshop: Creating a Culture Where People Want to Stay

Dr. Elisa Glick (she/her) is a diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) consultant, researcher, and award-winning educator with over 20 years of experience in higher education. As the Founder and President of Elisa Glick Consulting, she works with leaders to create empowering, collaborative, and inclusive environments so all employees can thrive. Elisa is Associate Professor Emerita of English and Women’s and Gender Studies at the University of Missouri, where she founded the Faculty Institute for Inclusive Teaching. She has received awards for her teaching, DEI initiatives, and exemplary leadership throughout her career. She is among the first openly gay faculty members to be tenured at the University of Missouri. As someone who has experienced both the advantages of privilege and the challenges of bias, she is passionate about building cultures that fully welcome and value diverse talent. Dr. Glick holds a PhD in English from Brown University. 

>> Learn more about Elisa and her afternoon workshop here

PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS

Morning Keynote 

  • Rhodes Perry, MPA | Imagine the Power of Belonging at Work

Morning Breakout Sessions 

  • Jazzy Bivar-Tobie | Assimilation is a Swear Word 

  • Derrick Sier | Curiosity + Connections = Outcomes

  • Rachel Savage | Practical Ways to Reduce Bias in Hiring Processes

Lunch Keynote 

  • Natasha Bowman | From Stigma to Support: A Call to Action for Workplace Mental Health

Afternoon Breakout Sessions

  • Mikeale Campbell | Employee Resource Groups 101 - From Vision to Implementation

  • Carrie McClain + Tracy Scott | Unbound: Overcoming Adversity & Empowering Impact Leaders 

  • Alexandra Towler-Bliss | Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging in Workplace Policies

Afternoon Workshop 

  • Elisa Glick | Creating a Culture Where People Want to Stay

Closing & Networking Happy Hour (Optional)

FULTON STREET BOOKS & COFFEE CURATED SYLLABUS

Elevate your ROI Summit experience with the Fulton Street Books & Coffee program! We're excited to partner again with our local bookstore to offer a specially curated syllabus featuring thought-provoking books and additional learning resources on the summit's key topics. Knowledge is power, and we believe in empowering you with these valuable materials, all available for free. Dive deeper into the conversations, broaden your horizons, and continue the learning journey long after the summit.

Explore the syllabus now >> ROI Syllabus 2023

  
         TAHRA is recognized by SHRM to offer Professional Development Credits (PDCs) for the SHRM-CP® or SHRM-SCP®. This program is valid for 6.00 PDCs for the SHRM-CP or SHRM-SCP. For more information about certification or recertification, please visit shrmcertification.org.  
  
      

This Program has been approved for 6.0 HR (General) recertification credit hours toward aPHR™, aPHRi™, PHR®, PHRca®, SPHR®, GPHR®, PHRi™ and SPHRi™ recertification through HR Certification Institute® (HRCI®).

The use of this official seal confirms that this Activity has met HR Certification Institute's criteria for recertification credit pre-approval.

EXECUTIVE BREAKFAST
October 5, 2023 
Tulsa Technology Center, Client Service Center 
3638 S Memorial Drive Tulsa, OK 74145

Registration & Breakfast 7:30 a.m., Program Begins 8:00 a.m. 

We invite you to join our executive session at the eighth biennial Return on Inclusion (ROI) Summit, preceding the full conference program. This high-level executive event is an exclusive opportunity for CEOs and senior leaders to explore and learn about diversity, equity, and inclusion strategies shared by this year’s presenter, Shalynne Jackson.

The event is free to attend but does require advance registration. Registration for our executive session is separate from the ROI Summit registration. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.

Please note that approval for participation is required and will only be extended to executive-level leaders.

For more information about this year's executive session, please contact executive breakfast chair Ashley Thomas 

       

 

 

Shalynne Jackson

Executive Breakfast Keynote 

Shalynne Jackson serves as Principal Consultant of Shalynne Jackson Consulting, a diversity, and inclusion (D&I) firm that supports organizations in cultivating workplaces where all thrive. Committed to equity, she has experience implementing D&I strategies for businesses of all sizes and industries, ranging from Fortune 500 companies to public safety professionals. She has served on various boards and is the Diversity Chair for the Oklahoma Human Resources State Council (OKHR). A graduate of The University of Oklahoma, Shalynne holds a Master of Human Relations degree. Additionally, she is a qualified administrator for the Intercultural Development Inventory (IDI), a cross-cultural assessment of intercultural competence.

A special thanks to our sponsors

ROI Summit is made possible by our community's generous support. We couldn't do it without you! 

Equity Leaders:
Host Sponsor: 

Inclusion Partners:
         
     
Reception Sponsor:

GableGotwals

Diversity Allies:

AAON
Barracuda Staffing
Fulton Street Books
OSU – Division of Institutional Diversity
Public Service Company of Oklahoma
T.D. Williamson
Tulsa Community College
University of Tulsa
Webco Industries
Williams

Nonprofit & Small Business Partners: 

DR Consulting LLC
OCCJ
The People Perspective
The Persimmon Group
Who's Your HR

In-kind support provided by TAHRA

SPONSOR THIS YEAR'S ROI SUMMIT

ROI Summit is seeking sponsors to help make it a success. By supporting this event, your organization will have the opportunity to gain visibility and demonstrate your commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion. We offer a range of sponsorship levels with various benefits, including logo placement, speaking opportunities, and more. As a nonprofit fund of the Tulsa Community Foundation, sponsorships are tax-deductible. Join us in making a positive impact on the workplace and society as a whole.

Quick links:

Questions? For more information or to secure your sponsorship, contact sponsorship chair Denise Reid

The Return on Inclusion Summit is committed to including all individuals in our event and ensuring meaningful participation in activities. Please contact eat2@eau2eav2eaw2 to request disability accommodations. Advance notice is appreciated to arrange for some accessibility needs.