A global pandemic and increased awareness of structural racism and ethnic discrimination have highlighted historical disparities in accessing resources and opportunities.   Although we generally acknowledge diversity as an intrinsic part of a thriving society, equity remains among the most challenging issues to address.  How can we seize this moment to make structural changes, removing the barriers that have prevented change for generations?

A panel of distinguished leaders in business, education and government will discuss solutions and opportunities to overcome barriers to social justice.

Moderator:  Lisa Osborne Ross.  Lisa is the U.S. CEO of Edelman, the world’s largest public relations firm.  Lisa was recently featured in Essence Magazine as the first African American woman to break the glass ceiling as CEO of a billion dollar company PR company.  She was Director of the White House Women’s office under President Bill Clinton, co-authored the final report of the Federal Glass Ceiling Commission and co-founded the Washington Area Women’s Foundation.

Panelist:  Kerry Kennedy.  President of Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights Foundation, a lawyer and human rights activist, Kerry is the seventh of Ethel and Robert F. Kennedy’s eleven children.  She has devoted more than 40 years to the pursuit of equal justice, the promotion and protection of basic rights, and the preservation of the rule of law.

Panelist: Roberta Cordano.  Roberta is the eleventh president of Gallaudet University, the first deaf woman and the first openly LGBT person to be officially installed as its president.  She is a values-based leader focused on sign language equity in education, economic opportunity and innovation.

Panelist: Will Jawando, Councilmember, Montgomery County, MD, Will is an attorney, activist and community leader with a lifelong dedication to public services.  Prior to the council, he served in Barack Obama’s administration as Associate Director of the Office of Public Engagement focusing on quality education, opportunities for prosperity and guaranteed civil rights for all Americans.

4:00 pm – Enjoy a reception with program moderator and panelists
4:30 pm – In-person and virtual program begins

$30 for general admission; $175 for VIP tables for 4; $15 for virtual attendance; 20% discount for museum members for any pre-event ticket purchases; and $35 for general admission at the door.  Not a museum member?  Join today.