Diversity and Inclusion

Let’s face it: most diversity and inclusion initiatives are just satisfying a mandatory requirement, and involve a lot of uncomfortable conversations. This panel discussion will help you navigate those tricky conversations. Panelists will discuss: 

• How to work with leadership to ensure diverse programming
• Growing your engagement with diverse local communities
• How to ensure that you have a diverse volunteer base, and how to navigate tough conversations about diversity 
• Attendee-submitted anonymous questions

Participants will include:
Bill Kent, President and CEO, Youth Learning Center
Renee Franklin, Director of Community Partnerships, Saint Louis Art Museum
Purvi Patel , Assistant Director, Washington University Center for Diversity and Inclusion
Moderator: Felicia Pulliam, Director, Policy & Community Engagement, FOCUS St. Louis

Event Details
11:30 am: Registration and Networking
12:00 - 1:30 pm: Luncheon and Program
Cost: $30 for AFP Members; $45 for non-AFP members

Location:
Spazios Westport, Garden Room
12031 Lackland Road
Maryland Heights, MO 63146

Cancellation policy: If an attendee needs to withdraw from an AFP program, they must inform us via email 5 business days before the scheduled event to receive a refund. Registration is transferable to another individual should you choose to withdraw. You may contact us at info@afpstl.org.

Register Now! 

Felicia Pulliam, J.D., Director, Policy and Civic Engagement, Focus St. Louis
Felicia directs the FOCUS Impact Fellows program, the most advanced leadership training in the FOCUS portfolio.  She joined the FOCUS St. Louis team in January 2012 as development director and transitioned into her current role in March 2016.  The fellowship applies leadership competencies and innovative thinking to move an issue of regional relevance forward.  She brings 15 years of demonstrated success to this position.  Before joining FOCUS, Felicia worked as director of development to and independent development consultant for many area nonprofit organizations and local governments.

Felicia earned her Juris Doctor from Tulane Law School where she was honored with a National Jurisprudence Award and national CASA – Court Appointed Special Advocate service award.  She graduated from Xavier University with a BA in political science and sociology. She is a graduate of the FOCUS St. Louis 2004-2005 Leadership St. Louis® class and received a What’s Right with the Region! award in 2010 for her work with Interfaith Partnership/Faith Beyond Walls and 2016 for the Ferguson Commission. 

Felicia was appointed to the Ferguson Commission by Governor Jay Nixon and Co-chaired the Economic Inequity and Opportunity working group charged with creating a strategy to advance economic mobility.  This body of work developed the Opportunity to Thrive section of the Forward Through Ferguson report.    She is a founder of ONE Ferguson, the citizen based organization committed to creating a community that respects and serves all of its residents.  She serves as Trustee of the Come Together Ferguson fund at Greater St. Louis Community Foundation and Incarnate Word Academy, and board member of Prosperity Connection.  She is a member of AFP, AADO, the national organization for African American Development Officers, a Mosaic Ambassador and is an active member of the Phyllis Wheatley Committee on Administration (COA) where she chaired the YWCA Metro St. Louis fashion luncheon.  She accepted the 2015 Citizens for Modern Transit award for the advancement of a public transit agenda for the region.  Felicia regularly presents on topics related to community transformation including citizen engagement, capacity building, racial equity and economic mobility at national conferences, workshops and community events.  She served two consecutive terms as Trustee for MICDS-Mary Institute St. Louis Country Day School, and two terms on the board of the Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP) as Chair of the Mentoring Committee.  Felicia spent 7 years as an adjunct professor in the criminal justice program at St. Louis Community College teaching Criminal Law, Law and Procedure, Criminal Investigations, and Juvenile Justice.  She is a St. Louis native and proud mom of two wonderful young ladies.

Bill Kent Jr., President and CEO, Youth Learning Center (YLC)
Bill has led YLC since its inception. Recognizing that so many of the boys he grew up with did not have the family support he enjoyed and that many of those boys ended up in prison, Mr. Kent was moved to leave his business career and dedicate his professional life to improving academic and life outcomes of youth from under-resourced backgrounds.  He applied his background in business management to directing the original YLC building project in 2010 and the 2015 renovation. He has also overseen the development of programming from an all-volunteer organization to the current organization providing STEAM education through outreach programs and eventually the founding of The Biome School in 2015.  The Biome is a new kind of K-8 school for the next generation – one that offers customized, project based and student-centered learning opportunities with an emphasis on growth mindset and STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Mathematics) education. The Biome charter school creates a balanced learning ecosystem in which teachers work together with students to cultivate a growth mindset as they discover their unique gifts, talents and interests. Mr. Kent earned his Bachelor of Science from Lindenwood University and joined Youth Learning Center after serving as a manager and career insurance underwriter with Reliable Insurance Company for 13 years.

Renee Franklin, Director of Audience Development, St. Louis Art Museum

Renee has led the Museum’s efforts for over fifteen years to initiate and cultivate sustainable relationships with diverse audiences to encourage participation in the arts.  Renee volunteers on several boards and committees including the Metro Arts in Transit, African Heritage Association and Hope House Transitional Housing.  She is a founding member and currently serves as President of the National Alliance of African American Art Support Groups.   She has received numerous awards and commendations including the 2010 Grand Center Visionary Award for Outstanding Arts Professional and was the recipient of the Bill and Melinda Gates African Urban Poverty Alleviation Program grant for her work with Sister Cities International.  Prior to joining the non-profit sector, Renee worked for several fortune 100 companies.  She holds a Master’s degree in education from Webster University and an undergraduate degree in marketing and business administration from Towson University in Baltimore, MD.

Brittany Harris, Diversity Training Specialist, Washington University in St. Louis

Brittany Harris is the newest addition to the Center for Diversity & Inclusion team, serving as the Diversity Training Specialist. Brittany is a proud St. Louis native and is excited to bring her background in social justice education and advocacy to the Washington University community. 

Brittany received her B.S. in Corporate Communication with a minor in Africana Studies from the University of Central Missouri and her M.Ed. in Adult and Higher Education, Student Affairs Administration from the University of Oklahoma. Notably, Brittany co-authored Chapter 9, Moving from Social Justice to Social Agency: Keeping it messy with University of Oklahoma Associate Professor, Dr. Penny Pasque for the publication "Reflection in Action: A handbook for student affairs faculty and staff".
Before joining the CDI family, Brittany supported the University of Pennsylvania community as Associate Director for the Penn Women's Center. In addition to her role as Associate Director, Brittany served as Education & Outreach Coordinator for the Penn Women's Center, and Counselor for the Penn Upward Bound Math & Science program. Her experiences also include supporting victims and survivors of interpersonal violence, curriculum development, facilitation, assessment, and creating inclusive communities of support for marginalized and underrepresented students.