By McKenzie Jackson | California Black Media
Black professionals and business leaders will discuss challenges and share insights on how to spearhead positive change in their communities and workplaces at the National Black MBA Association’s MPowered Leadership Summit on Oct. 12 at the Capitol Event Center in Sacramento.
The National Black MBA Association San Francisco Bay Area Chapter President and CEO Myisha Robertson said the summit will be a place where Black professionals can learn and exchange ideas on leadership.
“We want to make sure our community — who is always underserved knows they have a space to develop critical skills they need to get to the next level of their career,” she explained.
“We want to continue Black excellence through learning because the world keeps telling us to stop learning. Leadership is always developing yourself and continuous learning, to develop who you are, to continue Black excellence when outside forces are trying to push us down.”
The keynote speaker of the 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. event is Sacramento State President Dr. J. Luke Wood.
The list of the summit’s panelists and speakers includes representatives from Bay Area and Sacramento businesses and government entities.
They are California Deputy Secretary of State LaKenya M. Jordan, California Deputy Treasurer Khaim Morton, Greater Sacramento Urban League Director of Development Stacey Towles, Contra Costa District Attorney’s Office Assistant District Attorney Alana Matthews, Sacramento Municipal Utility District Chief Diversity Officer Jose Bodipo-Memba, Improve Your Tomorrow CEO Michael Lynch, Sacramento Black Chamber of Commerce CEO Azziza Davis, and Primos Beverage Company Founder and CEO Melanie M. Shelby.
Other panelists include Adaptive Strategies Consulting Founder Dr. Nkiruka Ohaegbu, PRIDE Industries Senior Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Dr. Adrienne S. Lawson, San Francisco State University Director of DEI Leah Pimentel, Pacific Gas and Electric Company Director of DEI Dionne Adams, SAFE Credit Union Vice President of Communications and Government Relations Micah Grant, Gilead Sciences Vice President of Clinical Development Anu Osinusi and Dignity Health Mercy Medical Group Chief Administrative Officer William Jahmal Miller.
Some of the panel themes are policy and leadership, empowering leadership, higher education and leadership, and overcoming barriers in corporate America, said Robertson, who will also be a panelist.
The summit will allow attendees to network, she said, as well as brainstorm strategies for personal and professional development. It will also highlight the importance of Black leadership in creating systemic change.
“Of course, tidbits on leadership will abound,” Robertson noted, adding that components of leadership are continuous learning, being adaptable and knowing how to communicate effectively.
“Empowering others is the biggest one for me,” she said. “A lot of people get leadership and management mixed up. In leadership, you are really not trying to develop someone’s skills. They are coming to the table with the skills. You are empowering them to use those skills so they can further develop themselves and see where they can shine.”
Previous convenings of the MPowered Leadership Summit were held in the Bay Area. But, this year, Robertson said it is important to hold this fall’s event in Sacramento to show that the Bay Area Chapter of the National Black MBA Associates is available to aid and empower Black professionals throughout California.
“We recognize the importance of fostering regional opportunities for Black professionals to connect, grow, and lead,” she said. “With its rich political and civic landscape, Sacramento offers a unique platform for conversations on leadership, policy, and equity.”
