The conference lineup included a mix of speakers, panel discussions, and networking opportunities around how best to drive one’s career journey. “The power to shape that journey lies in our hands, and today is about equipping ourselves with the tools, insights, and connections we need to keep moving forward,” said René Hallock 20EvMBA, president of Executive Women of Goizueta and the director of integrated marketing for international markets at Intuit Mailchimp. “This is an opportunity to grow both personally and professionally and to deepen the relationships that strengthen our collective success.”

Unlocking Potential Through Purposeful Relationships

In her keynote address, “Potential—Have you ever wondered about your potential?” Grace Chadwick 14EMBA, chief operating officer of Crumbl Cookies, talked about growing up in Mexico City and the influence her family, especially her mother, had on her. “As I studied my mother, I discovered that there are three key elements for us to really, really hone in on if we want to maximize our ability for our potential. And those three elements are purpose, power, and vision,” Chadwick told the audience. “Potential is about existing in possibility, which means all of us have the capability to reach our potential. It is available right now to each one of you.”

During her session, “Building your Personal Board of Directors,” Marina Cooley 14MBA, assistant professor in the practice of marketing, asked the audience to be intentional about building a personal board of directors, one that includes mentors, sponsors, sounding boards, and challengers—all very different types of board members. “This is a group of people who can help you in a variety of ways,” Cooley explained. She challenged audience members “to come up with two to three names of people who fit into these chairs that would help you meet the goals that you’ve said you have.”

Breakouts: Managing Upward and Storytelling

The first of two breakout sessions, “Managing Upward: Controlling Your Narrative,” examined how to master the art of managing relationships with supervisors and higher-ups. The session was moderated by Danielle McGivney 16EvMBA, vice president of organizational change management and strategic communications at KWI. The panelists included Regenia Sanders, Atlanta office managing partner at EY, Luci Rainey, Executive Coach, career and business Coach at DAY ONE Consulting and Coaching, and Jenny Mitchell, senior vice president of customer success at Advisr.

The “Storytelling: Communicating and Advocating for Yourself” breakout explored how to craft and share one’s story in a way that authentically communicates value and advocates for one’s career goals. Moderator Tyler Ewing 05BBA, co-founder of Switch Consulting Group, was joined by Lauren McGlory 16MBA, media productions global lead for strategy and accounts at LinkedIn, Liz Stanton 10MBA, vice president of financial planning and analysis at Delta Air Lines, and Jackie Martin 02MBA, executive people & culture leader.

Leveraging AI and New Ways of Working

In the fireside chat: “Leveraging AI,” Rubina Ohanian, managing director at Accenture, spoke with Executive Women of Goizueta board member Hope Cowan 88MBA, principal consultant at Hope Cowan Consulting, about artificial intelligence (AI)—including how daunting it can be for women to enter the male-dominated field. Ohanian, who leads LLM, AI, and AI education efforts for Accenture in North America, explained that not everyone is “a geeky type of person like me,” but then added that it’s urgent to learn AI. “You can learn anything. But you’ve got to take that step forward,” she said.

The final topic of the day, “New Ways of Working: Growing in a Distributed Environment,” was tackled by moderator Ty Heath 12MBA, director and co-founder at The B2B Institute at LinkedIn, and panelists Rachel Nelms, principal and founder of formations consulting (and former director of Goizueta’s Executive MBA program), Nicole Mejias 21EvMBA, client account lead for retail media at Microsoft Accounting, and Jackie Blankenship, director of performance development at Protiviti. The session explored how to excel in the modern work landscape by leveraging technology, fostering strong communication, and building relationships across virtual and in-office platforms.

Scholarships and Awards

Each year, Executive Women of Goizueta supports the advancement of women in business by providing financial assistance to exceptional candidates pursuing their MBA at Goizueta. The $5000 scholarship aims to demonstrate a commitment to excellence, diversity, and making a positive impact in their careers and communities. This year’s recipients were pediatric surgeon Alexis Smith MD 03C 26EMBA and Victoria Johnson 25MBV, commercial operations site lead at Johnson & Johnson.

The Guiding Star Award recognizes an up-and-coming business professional who has made progressive achievements in their career, demonstrates potential for the future, and guides others through their professional example and leadership in their community. This year’s recipient was Ariel Lomax, senior program manager at Medallia.

The Bridge Award recognizes a senior business leader with a demonstrated track record of creating opportunities for others, championing diversity, and producing results for the betterment of their community and/or workplace, which was awarded to Sarah Stansberry, senior vice president of Marketing at Fiserv.

About Executive Women of Goizueta

Started 22 years ago by Sarah O’Brien 03EMBA, Executive Women of Goizueta’s mission is to create a community that advances personal and professional leadership for Goizueta women and allies.  Executive Women of Goizueta’s Advancing Women in Leadership Annual Conference is open to the entire Emory University community and to friends of the organization. Current board members include: Hope Cown 88MBA, Abby England, Julie Friedberg 87C 23EMBA, Kuki Gandhi 15EvMBA, Tara Sconzo Halfon 14EvMBA, Rene Hallock 20EvMBA, Kristy Hoffman 17EvMBA, Tara Hornsby 24EMBA, Jen Kostyrna 04C 18EvMBA, Caren Lusk 13MBA, Lorry Perkins 15EMBA 17L, Setu Shah 15MBA, Missy Taylor 22EMBA, and Liz Wolfe 16MBA 16PH.

Learn more about Goizueta Business School’s Executive MBA and Evening MBA programs.

Enjoy more scenes from the 2025 Advancing Women in Leadership Conference below.

The post Executive Women of Goizueta Takes the Wheel at Annual Conference appeared first on EmoryBusiness.com.

At Emory Business, we spotlight the remarkable women of Goizueta Business School all year long. As we celebrate Women’s History Month, we’re taking time this week to reflect on the many incredible contributions of women in the Goizueta community. We invite you to join us in finding inspiration in their stories.

The Schwarzman Scholar

Eboni Freeman 18BBA, an Emory University alumna, White House Presidential Innovation Fellow, and co-founder of the advocacy organization Ability Enabled, has been selected as a Schwarzman Scholar for graduate study in China next year. Freeman, who earned her Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) in Strategy and Management Consulting from Goizueta Business School in 2018, is Emory’s eleventh Schwarzman recipient since the program began a decade ago. The program is one of the world’s most prestigious graduate fellowships, preparing future global leaders. Freeman joins an elite cohort who will study in Beijing, deepening her knowledge in global affairs and leadership.

Meet Eboni Freeman.

The Changemaker: Building Hotels with Purpose

Marnie Harris 11MBA is redefining hospitality with a focus on sustainability and community impact. As a visionary in the industry, she is dedicated to creating spaces that are both environmentally responsible and socially conscious.

Meet Marnie Harris.

The Veteran: Leadership in Service

As a veteran and business leader, Bren Lemoine 25MBV brings a unique perspective to leadership. Her commitment to service and strategic thinking exemplifies the values that drive Goizueta alumni to excel across industries.

Meet Bren Lemoine.

Executive Women of Goizueta: Leading the Way

The Executive Women of Goizueta (EWG) continue to empower and connect women leaders through their impactful initiatives and leadership programs. Their latest board members bring fresh perspectives to the organization’s mission of fostering professional growth and mentorship.

Meet the Board.

The COO, Consultant, and Podcaster: Riding the Big Wheel

Michelle Seger 95MBA is a powerhouse in business transformation, guiding organizations through high-stakes strategic shifts. Her expertise and leadership have made her a trusted advisor in an ever-evolving business landscape.

Meet Michelle Seger.

Empowering Future Financial Leaders

Students from Goizueta’s Master of Analytical Finance program are making a difference by equipping Atlanta Girl Scouts with essential financial literacy skills. Through hands-on training, they’re helping young girls build confidence in managing money, fostering the next generation of financially empowered leaders.

Read more.

Show your support for these Goizueta stories—and the stories of the future—with a gift to the 2O36 campaign.

Are you ready to take your career to the next level? Learn how one of Goizueta Business School’s many programs can help you transform the world of business and beyond.

The post Goizueta Women Leading the Way: Celebrating Women’s History Month appeared first on EmoryBusiness.com.

The purpose of these awards is to recognize individuals and groups from across Emory University and the greater Atlanta area who have “led with love and peace, while advocating for justice for all.”

This year’s theme is “Uplifting Humanity: Creating a Future of Justice and Equity Through Compassion and Service.”

The awards are centered around a quote from King: “The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands [in] times of challenge and controversy.”

Meet Goizueta’s Nominees

Vernon Smith: Senior Associate Director of Student Life and Engagement

This year, Goizueta has two nominees for the Community Service Awards: Vernon Smith and Start:ME.

Smith is the senior associate director of student life and engagement at Goizueta. He was nominated due to his leadership skills and impact on the Keystone experience.

When Smith joined Goizueta’s MBA program office, he assumed responsibility of Keystone, an annual event for the MBA students that features a community service day. During his time of leading this particular event, he’s focused on partnering with Atlanta metro-area organizations that address the needs of people affected by institutional racism and social injustice, explains Smith’s nomination.

“Under Vernon’s leadership, the past two years have been remarkable in terms of Goizueta’s engagement and impact on these important communities. By channeling the efforts of our students in this direction, Vernon has truly uplifted the people in our community who have been underserved and often forgotten.”

Smith says his nomination has left him with pride and gratitude. “It means a lot to me that people notice the work I try to do each day. Dr. King’s example shines bright, showing us that true change comes when we stand up for fairness, equality, and helping others—even when it’s tough.”

This recognition tells me that it matters to create welcoming spaces, lift up those who need to be heard, and make sure our spaces are places where everyone feels like they belong, are appreciated, and can make a difference.

Vernon Smith, Senior Associate Director of Student Life and Engagement

Start:ME

Start:ME, an initiative of Goizueta’s Business & Society Institute and Goizueta’s group nomination, began in 2013. The program provides entrepreneurs in under-resourced areas of Atlanta with 14-weeks of free business skills, training, mentorship, and grant capital.

Since its inception, Start:ME has trained 500 microbusiness owners in the Atlanta area, including 83% led by people of color, 74% female-led, 22% immigrant-led, and 62% led by individuals from low-to-moderate income households. The program welcomed its largest cohort to date earlier this year.

“Entrepreneurship is a pathway to economic empowerment—creating opportunities for income and wealth generation, local jobs, and serving local needs. This program provides crucial training and funding for individuals who have historically been denied or overlooked for investment support,” reads the nomination.

“Start:ME’s economic impact on our community is significant. Start:ME alumni employ more than 800 people, operate 84 brick-and-mortar locations, and generate annual revenues of $24 million. Start:ME’s seed investment pool has provided $420,000 in peer-selected start-up capital, which has positively impacted the business opportunities of those historically marginalized. Start: ME has meaningfully improved the lives of participants and strengthened the economic vitality of our community.”

This year’s event will be held on February 26 in the School of Public Health.

Learn more about Goizueta Business School’s Business & Society Institute and its programs supporting entrepreneurs and inclusive economic development.

The post Goizueta Nominations for the 2025 Martin Luther King Jr. Community Service Awards appeared first on EmoryBusiness.com.

Throughout February, Emory is observing Black History Month with a rich variety of programs, discussions and activities that offer moments of celebration and reflection across the university.

Events began Monday, Feb. 3, with a campus-wide kickoff in the Emory Student Center that included food, music and activities.

The next few weeks offer more chances to participate — especially through the Emory Black Student Union (EBSU), which is hosting and co-hosting events. Dionica Bell, EBSU director, says the entire Emory community is invited to join together.

“We are excited for so many opportunities for the Emory community to engage and learn about the ways Black history has shaped our shared history,” Bell says. “The EBSU is very grateful for the many campus partners and recognized student organizations that have contributed to the strength of this year’s calendar.”

The Office of Religious and Spiritual Life is hosting its annual Beloved Community Black History Month worship service on Sunday, Feb. 9, at 11 a.m. in Cannon Chapel. The Rev. Dr. Robert M. Franklin Jr. will deliver this year’s sermon. Franklin is now in his second term at Emory as the James T. and Berta R. Laney Professor in Moral Leadership at the Candler School of Theology and is former president of Morehouse College.

During his first stint at Emory — before his time at Morehouse — Franklin was a presidential distinguished professor of social ethics and a senior fellow at the Center for the Study of Law and Religion. He was also the founding director of Candler’s Black Church Studies program. His current work is focused on exploring what moral leadership looks like in the 21st century across different cultures and contexts.

The Rev. Dr. Gregory W. McGonigle, university chaplain and dean of spiritual and religious life, says Franklin’s clearsighted perspective will be especially worth hearing.

“People often turn to Dr. Franklin for his thoughts, opinions, insights and wisdom,” McGonigle says. “He has a way of understanding where we are and also finding something unifying and hopeful to say. It is a great honor to have him as our Black History Month preacher this year.”

Atlanta Campus Events

Thursday, Feb. 6, 13, 20 and 27 

Black Buddhist Teacher Series

6 p.m., Cannon Chapel 

The Emory University Chaplaincy and the EBSU are hosting a series of guided meditations led by Black Buddhist teachers Jan Willis, Lama Rod Owens and Larry Ward. The program will explore diverse perspectives within the Buddhist tradition and how Black communities have engaged with Buddhist teachings. Contact religiouslife@emory.edu with questions.

Sunday, Feb. 9

Beloved Community Black History Month Service

11 a.m., Cannon Chapel

The Rev. Dr. Robert M. Franklin Jr., professor at the Candler School of Theology and former president of Morehouse College, will deliver the sermon at this year’s Beloved Community Black History Month worship service. The service is free and followed by lunch.

Monday, Feb. 10

Karaoke Night, Black Love Week

6:30 p.m., Emory Black Student Union

The Black Student Alliance and the EBSU will co-host a karaoke event in the EBSU center in celebration of Black Love Week. Open to all students.

Wednesday, Feb. 12

‘A Forgotten Migration’: Crystal Sanders Book Talk

2 p.m., Convocation Hall, Room 210

The Emory Department of African American Studies will host a special conversation with Crystal Sanders, Emory associate professor of African American studies, about her new book, “A Forgotten Migration: Black Southerners, Segregation Scholarships and the Debt Owed to Public HBCUs.” Registration is required.

Saturday, Feb. 15

Connecting Civil Sites and Civil Rights at Home and Abroad

9 a.m., Meeting location to be determined

Explore the civil rights history of Atlanta with an all-day field trip that includes a bus tour through the historic Sweet Auburn neighborhood and other important sites in the city. Attendees will also visit the King Center and receive a free copy of the book “Civil Sights” by Gene Kansas, who will give a presentation. Lunch will be provided. Hosted by Emory Global Engagement, International Student and Scholar Services and the Truth, Racial Healing and Transformation Initiative. To receive an application link, RSVP to the Emory calendar listing.

Sunday, Feb. 16

Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater

2 p.m., Fox Theatre

EBSU, the Emory Center for Women and Gateway to Atlanta — a Student Involvement, Leadership and Transitions program — will take students to see the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater performance at the Fox. Before the performance, the sponsors will host a brunch catered by a Black-owned restaurant in the Belonging and Community Justice kitchen. Advance registration is required. Open to all students.

Soul Food Gospel Fest 2025

3 p.m., Emory Student Center multipurpose rooms

The annual concert is hosted by Emory’s Voices of Inner Strength Gospel Choir and brings together choirs and performance groups from across the state. There will also be prayers, reflections and spoken word performances. Soul food and refreshments will be served. Co-sponsors include the Emory University Chaplaincy, Emory Belonging and Community Justice, the Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion and the Office of the Provost. Registration is required.

Monday, Feb. 17

Black History Month Music Bingo

6 p.m., Emory Black Student Union

The EBSU will host a music bingo night celebrating the artists who shaped the sounds of Black history. Open to all students. 

Tuesday, Feb. 18

Black History Book Club

5:30 p.m., Emory Black Student Union

In partnership with the Barkley Forum, the EBSU will discuss the book, “We Are the Leaders We Have Been Looking For” by Eddie S. Glaude Jr., an African American studies professor at Princeton University. Open to students. Registration is required, and those participating will receive information on how to pick up the book.

Wednesday, Feb. 19

Present Your Hustle

6 p.m., Emory McDonough Plaza

The NAACP at Emory and Wonderful Wednesday, a campus organization that programs weekly social activities, will host “Present Your Hustle,” a talent showcase with conversations on how to pitch creative ideas. Registration is required. Open to all students.

Wednesday, Feb. 26

Rescheduled MLK Community Service Awards

4 p.m., Rollins School of Public Health, Claudia Nance Rollins Building, Klamon Room

Originally scheduled for King Week and now taking place on Wednesday, Feb. 26, Goizueta Business School will honor six individuals and organizations whose work reflects the theme “uplifting humanity: creating a future of justice and equity through compassion and service.” Registration is required. If previously registered, please reconfirm through the registration link.

Friday, Feb. 28

Black History Quiz Bowl

7 p.m., Harland Cinema

The EBSU’s Black Male Initiative program will host a “Quiz Bowl” where student groups of four can participate in a trivia-night style competition focused on Black history. There will be cash-prize rewards. Competition is open to students, and teams must register in advance. All in the Emory community are invited to attend and cheer on the teams.

Oxford Campus Events

Monday, Feb. 10

Gather & Sip

1 p.m., Oxford Student Center lobby

Gather & Sip is a group that meets bimonthly and features rotating cultural drinks and a space for community connection. In recognition of Black History Month, the Feb. 10 gathering will feature coffee from Ethiopia, where the drink originated. Sponsored by Oxford’s SILT and Campus Culture, Belonging and Engagement (CCBE) departments. Open to the Emory community.

Friday, Feb. 14

Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater

5:30 p.m., Fox Theatre

Oxford will take its own contingency to the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater performance on Friday, Feb. 14. Dinner and transportation will be provided. Register by Monday, Feb. 10. Sponsored by the Oxford Black Girl Processing Space and Residential Education and Services. Open to all students.

Wednesday, Feb. 19

Rescheduled MLK Celebration featuring Bishop Robin Dease

7:30 p.m., Old Church

Originally part of Emory’s King Week schedule in January, Oxford’s MLK Celebration was postponed due to inclement weather. The event will now take place the evening of Feb. 19 and feature a keynote address from Robin Dease, resident bishop of the Georgia Episcopal Area of the United Methodist Church and the North Georgia and South Georgia Conferences. Sponsored by the Oxford Office of Religious and Spiritual Life and CCBE. The ceremony is free and open to the public. 

“This celebration promises to be a joyous opportunity for Oxford College and the larger Oxford community to remember the life of Dr. King,” says the Rev. Brent Huckaby, Oxford interim chaplain. “I’m looking forward to hearing the inspiring music and the words of our distinguished guest, Bishop Robin Dease, as we honor Dr. King’s legacy and renew our commitment to working for justice.”

Virtual Events

Monday, Feb. 24

What Is Human Being and Being Human: Cultivating a Community of Cultural Care

12 p.m., Zoom

The Truth, Racial Healing and Transformation Initiative is beginning a new monthly series of “living room conversations” called “What Is Human Being and Being Human: Cultivating a Community of Cultural Care.” Its first gathering will take place on Feb. 24 during Black History Month, and it will continue through Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month in May. Each month, participants will gather to engage in meaningful dialogue, share personal narratives and reflect on how to create spaces to nurture relationships that honor the dignity, experiences and contributions of diverse communities while strengthening the bonds that unite us all. Registration is required. Open to the Emory community.

Be sure to check Emory News Center throughout the month as more events are added. Want to share an event that’s open to the campus community? Send an email to emoryreport@emory.edu.

The post Celebrate Black History Month by Engaging in Community Events appeared first on EmoryBusiness.com.

This page will be updated as additional information becomes available. Be sure to check in with the Emory University Office of Religious Life throughout the month for new events and final times and locations. For more information, please contact religiouslife@emory.edu.

Middle School and High School Debate Tournament Volunteer Judging

Atlanta Urban Debate League

Saturday, January 18, Sutton Middle School Sixth Grade Campus

The Atlanta Urban Debate League (AUDL) of the Center for Civic and Community Engagement will be hosting middle school and high school debate tournaments during King Week and volunteer judges are needed. The 2024–2025 debate topic focuses on whether artificial intelligence needs more governmental restrictions to protect intellectual property rights. No debate experience is necessary—training will take place the morning of the debate tournaments. Volunteers will be working with minors and will need to complete an online orientation process and a background check prior to volunteering. Please contact Christy Bradley, director of the Atlanta Urban Debate League and K-12 Engagement, for additional information.

To volunteer for these and other AUDL events and to access the online orientation process, visit the AUDL page on Emory OPEN. Volunteers will get information about how to access the tournament after signing up.

Special Emory King Week Installation

Carlos Museum

Tuesday, January 14–Sunday, January 26, 2025, Carlos Museum Rotunda Entrance

In honor of King Week, the Carlos Museum is providing a special installation of two photographs by Student Non-Violent Coordinating Committee (SNCC) staff photographer Danny Lyon in the museum rotunda. The photographs depict Martin Luther King Jr. and Ralph David Abernathy leaving the Augusta jail, and a SNCC Toddle House sit-in featuring John Lewis. More information to  is available here:

Learn more about the installation

Emory Libraries Events

King Materials Blog Post

Subject librarians in the Research and Engagement Services and Scholarly Communications (RESC) division authored a blog post that points the community to materials by and about Martin Luther King. More here: https://scholarblogs.emory.edu/woodruff/news/kingweek2025. 

Pop-Up Library

Wednesday, January 22, Noon–2:00 p.m., Wonderful Wednesday, Emory Student Center Promenade and McDonough Field

The Research and Engagement Services and Scholarly Communications instruction team will also host a pop-up library at Wonderful Wednesday and provide Martin Luther King–related books to check out featured in the blog post or available at Woodruff Library.

For questions, please contact lisa.fenn@emory.edu. 

Film Screening: ‘Our Friend Martin’

Friday, January 17, 11:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m., Location: 130 Alumni Memorial University Center

The Barkley Forum invites you to a special screening of the 1999 animated film Our Friend Martin. This powerful movie tells the story of two friends who journey through time to learn about Martin Luther King Jr.’s life and legacy, offering an inspiring lens through which to reflect on the significance of his work. The screening will serve as an opportunity to pause and consider this moment in history and our collective responsibility to shape a brighter future. During the film, participants can engage in an arts and crafts activity, envisioning and depicting their dream futures and exploring the role they might play in bringing those dreams to life. Come for an evening of reflection, creativity, and community as we honor Dr. King’s vision and commit ourselves to carrying it forward. Refreshments and light lunch provided. RSVP: R. W. Poole II

Martin Luther King Jr. Scholars Breakfast Reception

Sunday, January 19, 9:30–10:30 a.m., Community Room, Convocation Hall 

By invitation only. The Martin Luther King Jr. Scholars Breakfast Reception is a gathering for recipients of the Emory University MLK, Jr. Scholarship and celebrates MLK Jr. Scholars both past and present prior to the Beloved Community Worship Service. Open to current and alumni MLK Jr. Scholars. For more information, please contact the Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion.

Beloved Community Worship Service and Lunch

Sharon Stroye, Director, Truth, Racial Healing, and Transformation Initiative

Sunday, January 19, 11:00 a.m., Service | Noon, Lunch 
Cannon Chapel, Brooks Commons, and via Zoom

Emory Beloved Community is a weekly ecumenical Protestant worship service for the Emory community that gathers Sundays at 11:00 a.m. in Cannon Chapel during the academic year followed by lunch in Brooks Commons. All Emory community members are welcome. For more information, please contact religiouslife@emory.edu.

Register for in-person worship

Register for Zoom 

Newton County MLK Jr. Celebration (Oxford)

Sunday, January 19, 2025, 3:00–5:00 p.m.

Open to all community members. Transportation will be arranged for students, faculty, and staff to attend. Oxford professor Emorja Roberson performs with the local Newton County MLK Chorale. For more information, contact claudia.s.zanjanchian@emory.edu. 

Emory Day’s On

Monday, January 20, 8:30 a.m., Emory Student Center

Emory Day’s On offers Emory students a one-day volunteering opportunity to support the needs of Atlanta communities in honor of Martin Luther King Jr. Day. This year, our service project will be in partnership with the city of Decatur. Join us at 8:30 a.m. in front of Emory Student Center for T-shirt distribution, a group picture, gift raffle, and more. At 8:50 a.m., students will depart to our service partner site within the city of Decatur. Sponsored by Volunteer Emory. For questions, please contact Byron Jones.  

NOTE: Please only sign up for one shift. Thank you. Register here 

Oxford College MLK Day of Service

Monday, January 20, 9:30 a.m.–Noon

Service projects from 10:00 a.m. to Noon, followed by lunch and post-event reflection. For questions, please contact claudia.s.zanjanchian@emory.edu.

Sign up here 

MLK Observance (Pending)

Monday, January 20, 11:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m. 

Emory Black Student Union is collaborating with Emory National Pan-Hellenic Council and Emory NAACP to attend the MLK observance organized by the King Center. All Emory community members are welcome to participate. For more information, please contact Dionica Bell. More information to come. 

Candler School of Theology Events

Candler welcomes you in person or via livestream in observance of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and contemporary freedom struggles. Hope to see you there.

Service of Word and Table with Rev. Dr. Luther E. Smith, Jr.
Professor Emeritus of Church and Community
Tuesday, January 21, 11:05 a.m., Cannon Chapel or online

Service of Word with Rev. Dr. Teresa L. Fry Brown
Associate Dean of Academic Affairs and Bandy Professor of Preaching 
Thursday, January 23, 11:05 a.m., Cannon Chapel or online

View the livestream 

‘Cultivating a Healing Mindset—Bridging Divides and Building Community’

January 21-23, 2025

Join the Truth, Racial Healing, and Transformation (TRHT) Initiative at Emory for the ninth Annual National Day of Racial Healing. Events begin with opening remarks by Gail Christopher, executive director of the National Collaborative for Health Equity and architect of the TRHT framework, followed by a panel exploring healing-centered approaches to bridging divides and building inclusive communities. The Emory Black Employee Network will host an in-person racial healing circle to foster connection and promote social, personal, and professional growth. The week concludes with a dinner, dialogue, and theater experience on the Oxford College campus in partnership with Thriving Together Atlanta’s Equitable Dinner. For questions, please contact trht@emory.edu or text 404.435.4836.

Bridging Divides and Building Community Lunch and Learn Panel Discussion

Tuesday, January 21, 11:30 a.m.–2:00 p.m., Jones Room, Robert Woodruff Library, Atlanta campus/hybrid. Lunch provided.

Virtual Racial Healing Circle of Building Community

Wednesday, January 22, 1:00–2:30 p.m. Zoom. Register here. 

Emory Black Employee Network and Emory Latinx Employee Resource Network Racial Healing Circle

Wednesday, January 22, 4:30–6:30 p.m., 360 Rita Anne Rollins Building, Candler School of Theology. Refreshments provided.

Thriving Together Atlanta Equitable Dinner

Thursday, January 23, 4:00–6:00 p.m., Phi Gamma Hall, Oxford College. Dinner provided. For questions, please contact claudia.s.zanjanchian@emory.edu or sharon.stroye@emory.edu.

Register for In-Person Events 

Distinguished King Week Speaker

Mary Frances Berry
Wednesday, January 22, 4:00–6:00 p.m., Convocation Hall

Mary Frances Berry is the Geraldine R. Segal Professor of American Social Thought and Professor of History at the University of Pennsylvania. She is the author of 12 books. Berry has had a distinguished career in public service. She was a member and chair of the US Commission on Civil Rights and served as the Assistant Secretary for Education in the US Department of Health, Education, and Welfare (HEW). She has also served as provost of the University of Maryland and chancellor of the University of Colorado at Boulder. Open to the Emory community and the public. For questions, please contact Chandra Ford at chandra.l.ford@emory.edu. Hosted by the Department of African American Studies.

Oxford Campus MLK Celebration

Bishop Robin Dease, Keynote Speaker
Wednesday, January 22, 7:30 pm, Old Church, Oxford, Georgia

Robin Dease was elected bishop in 2022 and now leads the North Georgia and South Georgia Conferences. Before her election, she served as a pastor and district superintendent in the South Carolina Conference of the United Methodist Church. The observance also will feature a variety of collegiate singing groups, the Soul Collective ensemble, and the Newton County King Choir. For questions, please contact claudia.s.zanjanchian@emory.edu or ansley.holder@emory.edu. 

Martin Luther King, Jr. Community Service Awards Celebration

‘Uplifting Humanity: Creating a Future of Justice and Equity through Compassion and Service’

Thursday, January 23, 4:00–5:30 p.m.
Margaret H. Rollins Ballroom, R. Randall Rollins Building, Rollins School of Public Health, 1518 Clifton Road

Please join the Woodruff Health Sciences Center, Emory School of Medicine, Rollins School of Public Health, Goizueta Business School, Emory School of Nursing, Emory Healthcare, and the Emory Office of Diversity and Inclusion by honoring the excellent service of individuals and organizations in Atlanta whose work exemplifies the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. RSVP here.

A Look Back at 2024 King Week Events

Watch videos of some of last year’s events on the 2024 Emory King Week page and enjoy some photos in the gallery below.

The post Emory King Week appeared first on EmoryBusiness.com.

With dreams of building a more accessible world, Harris helped found The Excel Program at Georgia Tech, a certificate program for students with intellectual disabilities. She and a student advisory board researched comparative programs, drafted a curriculum, and solicited buy-in from the University. In addition, the program focuses on finding internships that prepare students for their careers. When Harris graduated, she stayed on to welcome the first cohort of Excel students to Georgia Tech.

Discovering the Power of Business

But Harris soon came to believe that creating meaningful employment for this demographic must begin inside business, where the jobs are. Harris wanted to make that happen, so at the encouragement of one of her mentors, she started applying to business schools.

I realized business was really the way that change would happen. It will be the business community harnessing the value these individuals bring. 

Marnie Harris 20MBA

In choosing Goizueta Business School, where she earned an MBA in 2020, Harris found a flexible program that allowed her to pursue her natural impulse to innovate.

She spent a semester honing financial modeling skills working with coffee growers in Guatemala and another creating a marketing strategy for a wheelchair manufacturing entrepreneur in Uganda.

Harris received the Woodruff Scholarship, Emory’s most prestigious named scholarship, awarded to Emory applicants who want to make a positive social impact and leave a lasting imprint on the University through their leadership, academic performance, and lifelong relationships.

Launching the Shepherd Hotel

Though Harris is no longer an engineer, in many ways she still thinks like one, seeing opportunities to solve complex challenges. After graduation, a Goizueta classmate and fellow Woodruff scholar introduced her to Rich Davies, president of Pavilion Development Company, who together with Rick Hayduk, a long-time hospitality executive, was building a hotel in Clemson that prioritized employing staff with intellectual disabilities in collaboration with ClemsonLIFE, similar to the Excel program Harris had started at Georgia Tech.  

As part of the development team for the flagship Shepherd Hotel, Harris built the core of the brand and its marketing strategy, and structured a collaboration with Clemson University and ClemsonLIFE. Harris is now developing the Shepherd Hotels brand through franchising. She works with experienced developers and operators looking to bring a Shepherd Hotel to their university home. Harris supports these franchisees to build collaborations with universities and their Inclusive Postsecondary Certificate Programs, driving best practices toward processes, strategies and technology to employ a collective number of adults with intellectual disabilities in hospitality.

“One of the things that we decided very early on was that … local buy-in and ownership was really important,” Harris says.

I love getting to work with our partners and to see the concept become theirs. I know we’re successful when our partners talk about our Shepherd Hotel rather than your Shepherd Hotel.

Marnie Harris 20MBA

Eighty percent of people with intellectual disabilities are underemployed, Harris says.

“If you looked at that statistic across most other populations, it would be staggering. I think as we become staggered by that number, we see a massive population of people that have incredible potential that we’re leaving on the sideline.”

A Humanitarian Vision

The franchise effort has the energy of a startup in the humanitarian space—a priority for Harris.

It’s so fun. I like that it’s creative, and I like that it’s purposeful. We’re creating boutique hotel experiences where we target building teams that include 30 percent individuals with intellectual disabilities. I love the purpose-driven aspect of it.

Marnie Harris 20MBA

All the jobs are mission critical, and many involve customer interaction.

“People want purpose-driven experiences where they feel genuinely appreciated and valued when they stay somewhere,” she says. “I also think employees are just looking for better workplaces. We have tried to create a workplace with a grace-filled atmosphere where people with disabilities can be successful. Everyone benefits, including our non-disabled employees who work in an environment where they feel valued and purposeful in their work.”

Building Inclusive Workplaces

Harris says her background taught her how to “take these massive problems and turn them into solvable parts.” She envisions building a workplace at Shepherd that acknowledges the very full and busy lives employees have, so people can build their careers, their families, and their interests at the same time.

“We’re all people outside of work too, and there is a work-life integration that has to happen in order to make a more diverse and equitable work environment,” Harris says. “I am really hopeful that we can maintain the principles of integrity that we’ve been able to launch the Shepherd brand with, and carry that into growth, knowing some of the challenges that takes.”

Your support of scholarships helps us attract and retain top students and improve the diversity and talent of our student body. Our goal is to create equal access and opportunity for all students with the talent and abilities to drive business forward, regardless of their ability to pay. Support scholarships today!

The post Meet Marnie Harris: Building Hotels with Purpose appeared first on EmoryBusiness.com.

Those eggrolls were distributed to a remarkably diverse clientele. Situated near Detroit’s red-light district and new Chinatown, it was literally and figuratively a cultural crossroads.

The restaurant remained steadfast through decades of frothing political and social tumult, Detroit being a textbook case of urban boom and bust and a prominent figure in the national conversation surrounding Civil Rights and race relations. It was also the landscape in which Chin—activist, filmmaker and author of his memoir, “Everything I Learned I Learned in a Chinese Restaurant“—grew up, formed his identity and learned to embrace his sexuality as a gay man.

For Hannah Chiou 26MBA, participant in this year’s “Read Watch Listen Experience Learn” program, all the big, important and political layers of the book hit in a more personal way.

“This book was so special to me. As a 30-something Taiwanese-American raised in the Southeastern United States, I grew up in an environment with almost no exposure to the stories and history of the Asian American community. I felt seen by the internal conflicts he had forming his identity while living amongst different communities—Black, Asian, conservative, and liberal. It was a representation of what it has meant for me to live in Atlanta for the last 10 years. Beautiful, in a pain-staking way of finding confidence in your identity when you don’t quite ‘fit’ into one box.”

A Welcoming Space for Difficult Conversation

Formerly known as “Common Read,” the “Read Watch Listen Experience Learn” program provides a forum for self-education and a welcoming space for honest dialogue for those seeking to be allies of marginalized communities. Through books, podcasts, videos and more, Emory faculty, staff, alumni, and students explore a range of topics, seeking to understand stereotypes and unconscious bias, become effective allies, and develop anti-racist mindsets.

“Read Watch Listen Experience Learn” began four years ago after the murder of George Floyd rocked the nation. In the wake of the news, Associate Dean of Full-Time MBA Programs Brian Mitchell spearheaded a campaign with the help of several Emory faculty and staff members to bring the issues of racism, prejudice and privilege to the forefront of conversation. When the Goizueta DEI council was formed a year later, the council took ownership of the program and elected to invite students to that conversation as well.

“I introduced the Common Read concept in 2016 with ‘Whistling Vivaldi’ by Claude Steele as a book that explored the concepts of stereotype threat and unconscious bias,” says Mitchell. “The discussions that emerged from that shared experience were deeply meaningful, and an example of the opportunities we have to make our community more than simply the place we come to work every day. Today, through the work of the DEI Council, the series has become more accessible and therefore more valuable because of the increased perspectives in the debrief discussions.”

Each year, a small group of faculty and staff within the “Read Watch Listen Experience Learn” community gather to brainstorm ideas for next year’s topic and media, which are then brought back to the DEI council for feedback.

In 2021, the cohort read “The Sum of Us: What Racism Costs Everyone and How We Can Prosper Together” by Heather McGhee, which explores the communal, global benefits of coming together across race to build an equitable future. The group dissected Pamela Newkirk’s Diversity Inc.: The Fight for Racial Equality in the Workplace in 2022, which delves beyond well-meaning corporate buzzwords to illuminate what strategies are actually effective in improving access and opportunity for all. In 2023, the school unpacked the topic of poverty through Stephanie Land’s memoir Maid.

Building Community by Going Off Script

The “Read Watch Listen Experience Learn” program has two primary aims: The first is to further people’s understanding of DEI issues in society. The second is to build a sense of community across the school.

In small groups, students, faculty and staff get a chance to show up as more than just their job titles. The discussions around Curtis Chin’s memoir unpacked profound questions regarding childhood, identity, and the places we call home.

If you’ve ever wondered what your faculty and professors are really like, sit with them in these slightly existential musings about life. You’ll get to hear so many stories and build relationships with folks.

Hannah Chiou

“One of the most impactful parts of our program is the opportunity for members of the Goizueta community—staff, faculty, students from various degree programs—to share our experiences and learn from each other,” says Allison Gilmore, director of admissions and student services of Goizueta’s PhD Program and co-chair of the DEI committee.

“Too often, students, faculty and staff default to their respective silos,” says Assistant Professor in the Practice of Accounting Allison Kays, and co-chair of the DEI committee along with Gilmore. “Our discussion groups allow members of the Goizueta community to come together and bond over their passion to make the world a better place. I think it can be really powerful for members of our community to come together and interact in new ways. The panel also allows us to collaborate meaningfully with other departments at Emory.”

“I thought it was challenging at times to talk about some of the topics such as coming out and feelings related to family, but it was a safe space that allowed us to learn,” says Zoe Grotjan 26BBA, another participant. “The program allows for those with different backgrounds to participate in discussions together that foster community and allow for better understanding of each other’s standpoints. I especially love how my group had such different experiences that we were able to communicate about, culminating in discussions about how to improve Goizueta.”

Unraveling Injustice, One Thread at a Time

Narrative has the unique capability to build empathy in a way that almost no other form of communication can. While participants are connecting in a new way with each other, they’re also learning to connect with the stories of protagonists who look different from themselves—at least on paper.

“In reading Chin’s memoir, I thoroughly enjoyed learning about experiences and identities that do not match my own on the surface,” says Mitchell.

The great thing about reading books—or consuming any long-form media—is that you can get past the surface level differences and realize many aspects of our shared humanity. That is how I felt after reading Chin’s book. We had far more in common in our views of the world than I thought we would. And as we discussed it during our RWLEL debrief, that sentiment was shared by everyone.

Brian Mitchell

Although these discussions happen in small and intimate groups, the potential for impact reaches much farther.

“Goizueta faculty and staff know that what happens in the ‘ivory tower’ of academia is not insular from what’s going on in the rest of the world,” says Kays. “The conversations we have or don’t have around topics like equity and access shape the experiences of the students who walk our halls and their mindsets as they move into the real world. At Goizueta, we’re helping to prepare the next generation of movers and shakers; we want them to be aware of the lived experiences of others, and to be committed to building a better and more equitable society wherever their careers land.”

Many participants discover that unraveling injustice can begin on an even smaller scale by examining themselves and their internal dialogue.

“Chin had confidence in his heritage and pride in being the son of a restaurant owner,” says Chiou. “For me, there have been many times when I wished that I had the privilege of growing up in a wealthy home and afforded the privileges of my classmates. Having confidence in my racial identity came in my adulthood but I am grateful I found it! I hope that everyone who feels their identity is pulled apart by phrases like, ‘You’re not that (Chinese).’ or ‘You act like a (fill in the blank)’ can know that the version of your cultural identity is your own.

You will always be the fullest version of yourself that you can be.

Hannah Chiou

Learn more about Goizueta’s ongoing commitment to Diversity, Equity & Inclusion.

The post Goizueta’s ‘Read Watch Listen Experience Learn’ Program Unpacks Identity through the Power of Narrative appeared first on EmoryBusiness.com.

National Coming Out Day serves many purposes. It honors the courage and stories of LGBTQ+ individuals; it demonstrates that this community includes our family members, neighbors, friends, peers, and coworkers; it serves as a reminder that while we’ve come a long way, we have a long way to go. Many people in our nation and around the world still live in environments where coming out is a risk to their safety and success.  

Coming out is a deeply personal journey, one that may evoke a mixture of powerful feelings. In celebration of National Coming Out Day, we invited a handful of students at Goizueta to share the ways this day is meaningful to them. Read on to draw inspiration from the stories these students have to share. 

Breaking Barriers, Building Inclusion 

Maddie McMurray 26MBA: Member of Goizueta Pride Alliance and ROMBA Fellow 

How do you identify? I am a cisgender, bisexual woman. My preferred pronouns are she/they; both sets of pronouns are equally affirming.  

Why do you think it’s important to celebrate National Coming Out Day?  National Coming Out Day should be a celebration of community and identity. While I’m thankful it’s not the case for myself, many LGBTQIA+ folks face fear, discrimination, or abandonment by their loved ones when they come out.

I see National Coming Out Day as an opportunity for the LGBTQIA+ community to embrace its newer members and show them the love and acceptance we all deserved to have been shown during such a vulnerable and brave moment in our lives.  

Maddie McMurray

How has belonging to the LGBTQ+ community influenced your career goals?  Growing up, I never had any ‘out’ LGBTQIA+ women in my life. I spent some of my childhood in a conservative area and internalized from friend’s families and media that being ‘gay’ was wrong. As I started to explore my sexuality and gender expression in college, I realized that not only were there few women in business publicly doing the work I wanted to do—the representation of queer women was even smaller.

Prior to my MBA, my work focused on identifying and strategically removing barriers to equity in the workplace. I’m pursing my MBA to strengthen my quantitative skills and better understand how organizational structure and policies can be enhanced to ensure employees receive equitable treatment, pay, and opportunities for advancing their careers, regardless of their intersecting identities.  

What are some accomplishments you and your peers have made toward the cause of LGBTQ+ advancement?  I’m really impressed with the leadership that exists in my second year MBA cohort. Hunter Scanlon 25MBA has done fabulous and hard work advocating for us to receive partial reimbursements to attend Reaching Out MBA (ROMBA), which has made it possible for at least two additional members to attend the conference where they would not have been able to originally. 

What changes would you like to see happen for the LGBTQ+ community next? Personally, I want to begin working with the DEIB office to update and provide training for faculty, staff, and students on syntax. Gender does not equate to sex, and many people erroneously use the terms “woman” and “female” interchangeably. This alienates and excludes trans women, intersex, nonbinary folks and others who are not assigned female at birth and is a microaggression. My hope is that through driving awareness that language matters. We can begin creating a space where all LGBTQIA+ identities feel welcome at Goizueta. 

Hunter Scanlon 25MBA: Member of Goizueta Pride Alliance 

How do you identify? I am a gay man. 

What does National Coming Out Day mean to you personally? National Coming Out Day for me is a time to celebrate the journey of coming out and reflect on the years I spent hiding my true self. It’s an exciting opportunity to recognize the progress I’ve made and the importance of creating a supportive environment for others who are still in the process of coming out. For me, having strong queer role models and witnessing the diversity within the LGBTQ+ community played a crucial role in helping me embrace my identity and feel confident in being openly gay across my personal and professional life. While at Emory and as a Reaching Out MBA Fellow for the class of 2025, I not only saw the importance of coming out, as I’ve always felt, but now I see the value of my differences in professional environments. 

Can you share your own coming out story, or a significant moment in your journey? For me, like most, coming out took years. From building up confidence with close friends that I knew would respond well, to telling family, and being comfortable disclosing my identity professionally.

I remember each step feeling lighter but simultaneously nerve-racking until one day, I was just “out,” to everyone I could think in my life that mattered. I finally felt confident in the way I was able to fully identify as a member of the queer community. Now, I don’t even think much of coming out; I get to just be out. 

Hunter Scanlon

Why do you think it’s important to celebrate National Coming Out Day? It’s incredibly important to celebrate National Coming Out Day. It not only celebrates the courage and resilience of the queer community, but also raises awareness for the wider population. It’s a great reminder that people around us—friends, family, and colleagues—may be struggling to come out. And it emphasizes the importance of being allies every day. When allies actively show up and create a safe, welcoming space, it makes it much easier for closeted LGBTQ+ members to express their true selves.  

How has belonging to the LGBTQ+ community influenced your career goals? Being an out gay man and getting to see how far other members of the LGBTQ+ have come in the accomplishments within our community encourages me to do the same. Further, it emphasizes the “charisma, uniqueness, nerve and talent” in each of us, in the words of the great Ru Paul. 

Joshua Lozier 25MBA/JD: Member of Goizueta Pride Alliance and OUTLaw (LGBTQ+ law student alliance at Emory University School of Law) 

How do you identify?  I am a gay man, pronouns he/him. 

Can you share your own coming out story, or a significant moment in your journey? I have a rather unfortunate coming out story. I grew up in rural Ohio in a very traditional, religious family. Then, I moved to LA for college, and after I was out of reach of home, I came out. My family learned of my LGBTQ+ identity and ostracized me. I was mandatorily granted premature financial independence, and at 18 years old I had to financially support myself through college. I held a work-study position on campus, paid internships each semester, and I bartended nights and weekends. Despite the setback, I graduated magna cum laude from the University of Southern California in 3 years.

It was a frightening and daunting time in my life, but it gave me resilience, perseverance, determination, and the ability to succeed against the odds.

Joshua Lozier

There’s a silver lining behind the rejection of my family. It became an opportunity to form my chosen family of LGBTQ+ individuals who had similar experiences and build a supportive, compassionate community where we accept each other exactly for who we are. 

Why do you think it’s important to celebrate National Coming Out Day? It is imperative to celebrate National Coming Out Day to create visibility for future queer generations. My own story baffles me: I do not understand how a parent could condition their love on something as insignificant as their child’s sexuality in this modern day and age.

Across the country there are countless youth terrified to face the terms of their sexuality because of the violent intolerance that plagues this nation, and the only way to reach these isolated youth is with visibility. To show them a queer life is possible. That you can be gay and happy.

Joshua Lozier

National Coming Out Day is necessary to inspire the future generations of queer people to live their authentic lives. Visibility is the greatest power we have against those wishing to suppress our right to love. 

What do you wish the greater community understood about this day or about life in the LGBTQ+ community at Emory? This day isn’t just about being out and proud. It’s about inspiring the future generations of queer youth to live authentically. And it serves as a reminder to allies that queer people are here, have been here, and will be here. 

How has belonging to the LGBTQ+ community influenced your career goals? Because of my own history, it has been important to me to champion LGBTQ+ advocacy in my career. I was lucky enough to clerk for the Honorable Judge Mike Jacobs of the Dekalb County State Court of Georgia. Judge Jacobs is the first, openly-bisexual judge to be elected to any bench in the United States. Likewise, I worked part-time through my law degree at a boutique employment law firm, Buckley Bala Wilson Mew LLP. This is the team that brought Bostock v. Clayton County to the U.S. Supreme Court, the case that achieved Equal Protection for LGBTQ+ people in the workplace under Title IX. My track record of LGBTQ+ supporting organizations is fierce. I look forward to continuing to work alongside teams that champion the LGBTQ+ community. 

How to be a Better Ally 

As Scanlon is quick to emphasize, allyship is critical to the LGBTQ+ movement. “This is a completely intersectional community with diversity that spans gender, race, income, professional background, and religion,” he says. “I think it’s massively important to stress that National Coming Out Day works best when other communities show up to be allies.” 

What are some possible ways to show support if someone elects to reveal this important information to you? 

According to McMurray, “These moments of vulnerability should always center on the person who has shared a piece of their identity. Honor and acknowledge the trust that they’ve placed in you without over emphasizing your thoughts or feelings.” 

‘Coming out’ doesn’t happen once; it’s a repeated experience – I come out every time I make new friends and each time I’ve come out, feeling supported in the ways I mentioned above gives me the courage to keep doing so. 

Maddie McMurray

And if you’re seeking more clarity, there are ways to lighten the teaching load of the people within the LGBTQ+ community by doing some homework on your own. 

“If you’re unfamiliar with a term, experience, or want to learn more, don’t worry. There are tons of resources by LGBTQIA+ advocates and organizations you can use to educate yourself,” says McMurray. 

Scanlon offers some affirming sentiments that might be helpful to hear in the moment. 

“If someone chooses to come out to you as an ally, listen and thank them for sharing the news. Celebrate the courage and reflection they needed to take to get to this point. Encourage them that this doesn’t change who you see them as. Instead, it gives you the chance to see and love even more of them.” 

Growth at Goizueta: How to Get Involved 

Goizueta promotes LGBTQ+ leadership through workshops, events, and student organizations like the Goizueta Pride Alliance.  

A key event is the partnership with Reaching Out MBA (ROMBA), which connects LGBTQ+ MBA students nationwide and hosts workshops and forums where students exchange information on programs, marketing strategies, roadblocks, and community projects. Goizueta had the honor of hosting ROMBA this past April.  

Another way to become involved is to participate in this year’s “Read Watch Listen Experience Learn” program. Formerly known as “Common Read,” this program provides a forum for self-education and a welcoming space for honest dialogue for those seeking to be allies of marginalized communities. This year centers on Curtis Chin’s memoir, “Everything I Learned I Learned in a Chinese Restaurant.” The book recounts the author’s experiences growing up as a gay Chinese American in 1980s Detroit. Interested participants who may be unable to commit time to read the book are welcome to engage by viewing or listening to any of their selected accompanying podcasts and videos related to the book’s themes. 

The wider Emory community offers a plethora ways to get involved, including the Emory Pride Employee Network (EPEN). Click here to see a list of ways to celebrate LGBT History Month across Emory. 

In the meantime, let us continue to build an ecosystem where everyone feels empowered to be authentic. When people bring their whole selves to the table, it grants those around them permission to do the same. 

At Goizueta, diversity is a commitment to nurture and challenge the unique perspectives that will shape the future of business. It’s a commitment to innovate in traditional fields and embrace emerging insights. It is the foundation of our intentions and actions. It is one of the core values by which we lead. Learn more. 

The post National Coming Out Day: Stories of Bravery and Belonging from Goizueta’s LGBTQ+ Community appeared first on EmoryBusiness.com.

LGBT History Month begins Tuesday, Oct. 1, and runs through the end of the month. Check out the following events across Emory to celebrate the history of the LGBT community and build connections for the future.

From celebrating at the downtown Atlanta Pride Parade to lectures and workshops on campus — and everything in between — there are plenty of ways to show your pride this month.

First Gen Friday: Brunch and Brushes

Friday, Oct. 4, 11:30 a.m., Emory First Office, Cox Hall, Room 322

Show your LGBTQ and First-Gen Pride at the Office of LGBT Life and Emory First’s First Gen Friday! Attendees will enjoy brunch and paint with their favorite Pride colors.

LGBTQ+ History Month Open House

Tuesday, Oct. 8, 1 p.m., Rose Library, 10th floor of Woodruff Library

Join Stuart A. Rose Manuscript, Archives and Rare Book Library outreach archivist Gaby Hale, who will discuss items on display from the library’s LGBTQ+ collections, which include the papers of activists and organizations who fought (and continue to fight) for LGBTQ rights and equality. This will be the second of Rose’s newly launched Miscellaneous Monthly open house series. Members of the Emory community and the public are welcome to attend.

Find out more about the LGBTQ+ Collections on the Rose Library website.

Pride and Latine Heritage Month Wonderful Wednesday

Wednesday, Oct. 9, 12 p.m., McDonough Plaza and Emory Student Center Promenade

During Wonderful Wednesday, join the Office of LGBT Life and Centro Latinx to celebrate LGBT History Month and the end of Latine Heritage Month by learning about prominent queer Latine figures. Rainbow flag loteria card stickers, rainbow popcorn and Pride buttons will be available. 

Fall Student Night

Wednesday, Oct. 9, 5 p.m., Michael C. Carlos Museum

The Carlos Museum is open late for Emory students! Venture into the galleries to connect with peers and works of art centered on themes like identity, gender and sexuality, from ancient to contemporary. Bring gently used clothing to exchange in a clothing exchange, express yourself and design a hat to show off what makes you, you. Free food and swag while supplies last. After student night, head to the Rose Library Drag Show.

Pride Shirt Glam-Up

Wednesday, Oct. 9, 6 p.m., Cox Hall Tech Lab

Get your Pride shirt parade ready with the Office of LGBT Life. Join the DIY session to crop, chop and customize your Emory Pride shirt for the following weekend’s parade using all the maker’s tools in the Cox Hall Tech Lab. Participants must be registered for the Atlanta Pride Parade.

Rose Library Drag Show

Wednesday, Oct. 9, 7 p.m., Rose Library, 10th floor of Woodruff Library

Drag queens put on an entertaining show in the Stuart A. Rose Manuscript, Archives and Rare Book Library for the fourth annual Rose Library Drag Show. The show, which celebrates the library’s LGBTQ+ collections, is free and open to the public.

Rose Library Booth at the 2024 Atlanta Pride Festival

Saturday, Oct. 12, and Sunday, Oct. 13, Piedmont Park

Stop and visit the Rose Library booth at the Atlanta Pride Festival, located on Oak Hill between the 12th Street Gate and the Meadow from 11 a.m.-5 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 12, and 1-5 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 13. The booth is near the panels from the AIDS Memorial Quilt, which will be on display at Oak Hill on Saturday from 11 a.m.-4 p.m. 

At the Rose Library booth, write a special postcard to the past, present or future (Rose Library staff can mail the card for you, or you can place it in the LGBTQ+ collections), or access the finding aids for the collections of activists such as Jesse Peel, Bruce Garner and Rebecca Ranson. The booth is open to the public and the Emory community.

Atlanta Pride Parade and Pre-Pride Breakfast

Sunday, Oct. 13, 9:30 a.m., Goizueta Business School, Jenkins Courtyard

Join LGBT Life and the Emory community for a pre-parade breakfast and Emory’s annual spot in the Atlanta Pride Parade. Transportation to the parade starting point will be provided and participants will receive free shirts. Shuttles leave Goizueta at 10:30 a.m. for the noon parade. The entire Emory community is invited to participate, and registration is required.

This event is in collaboration with Emory Healthcare; Emory Pride Employee Network; Student Involvement, Leadership and Transitions; Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion; School of Medicine; and Goizueta Business School.

Participants will be responsible for arranging their own transportation back to campus after the parade has ended.

International Pronouns Day Button-making

Wednesday, Oct. 16, 11 a.m., Woodruff Library lobby

Make a button to declare your identity, support others as an ally or convey another positive message at this popular event, co-sponsored by the Emory Libraries Preservation Department. The event celebrating International Pronouns Day is free and open to Emory students, faculty and staff.

Beloved Community Worship: Pride Month Service

Sunday, Oct. 20, 11 a.m., Cannon Chapel

This year’s Pride Month Service preacher is The Rev. Duncan Teague 12T, pastor at Abundant Love Unitarian Universalist (UU) Congregation. This event is open to the entire Emory community.  The service will be followed by a noon lunch.

Beloved Community is Emory’s progressive, ecumenical Protestant worshipping community. Beloved Community’s membership includes currently registered Emory undergraduate students, but others are invited to join in worship and activities, including graduate and professional students, faculty, staff and members of the wider community.

For questions, contact The Rev. Maddie Herlong at mhend25@emory.edu.

William T. Branch Jr. Innovations in Primary Care Lecture: “The Hidden Cost of Social Inequities: Addressing the Toll of Transphobia on Health” with Tonia Poteat

Wednesday, Oct. 23, 6 p.m., School of Medicine, Room 110

Alum of the Emory Physicians Assistant program, Tonia Poteat will present this year’s Innovations in Primary Care lecture.

Poteat is a professor in the Duke University School of Nursing, co-director of the Duke Sexual and Gender Minority Wellness program and associate director of the Duke Center for Aids Research Developmental Core. Her research, teaching, and clinical practice focus on LGBTQ health and HIV with particular attention to the health of transgender and gender-diverse communities.

This event is open to the entire Emory community, but registration is required.

Atlanta’s 1990s LGBTQ+ and Arts Scene: A Talk with Artist Royce Soble and Curator Randy Gue

Saturday, Oct. 26, 1 p.m., Woodruff Library, Jones Room (third floor)

As part of Emory Homecoming Weekend events, photographer and multimedia artist Royce Soble, whose work documents Atlanta’s LGBTQ+ community and arts scene in the 1990s, will be in conversation with Rose Library’s curator of Political, Cultural, and Social Movements, Randy Gue. Soble’s photographs, journals and other digital materials are archived in the Rose Library’s collections.

No registration is required for this event, which is open to the public.

Be sure to check Emory News Center throughout the month as we add more events. Want to share an event that’s open to the campus community? Send an email to emoryreport@emory.edu.

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National Hispanic Heritage Month kicked off Sunday, Sept. 15, and there’s no shortage of great ways to celebrate across campus. Mark your calendar for these upcoming events on Emory’s Atlanta and Oxford College campuses, which you won’t want to miss.

Hispanic Authors Book Display

Head to the Oxford College Library throughout the month for a book display featuring Hispanic authors—you just might find your new favorite read!

Plus, be sure to check out the Emory Libraries post on celebrating National Hispanic Heritage Month, which highlights recent literature written by Hispanic American/Latinx authors that can be found in the Emory Libraries collections.

Latin Heritage Month Queer Book Club

Wednesday, Sept. 18, at 12 p.m.

Join the Office of LGBT Life and the Barkley Forum for this month’s Queer Book Club. Sign up for the book club, which meets in Cox Hall Room 324, and receive a free copy of “Borderlands: La Frontera” by Gloria Anzaldua.

Dine with the Chef at Oxford Café

Wednesday, Sept. 18

This exclusive dining experience for Oxford students will feature a special Latin American-inspired menu. To RSVP, ask a chef in the Oxford Café for details.

Can’t make it on Sept. 18? Stop by the Café any time now through Oct. 8, to enjoy a rotating schedule of dishes created by Oxford Latinx.

First Year Feria

Sunday, Sept. 22, at 5 p.m. 

Head to the First Year Quad on the Atlanta campus to learn more about Latinx and Hispanic clubs available at Emory and to enjoy food and games at the first-ever First Year Feria. This event is open to the entire Emory community.

Celebración de la Herencia Hispana

Thursday, Oct. 3, at 7 p.m. 

Participate in the Celebración de la Herencia Hispana, a Spanish-language celebration and discussion of Latinx identity hosted by residents of the Casa Émory theme house (746 Peavine Creek Dr.) and the Department of Spanish and Portuguese. This event is aimed at Emory undergraduates, but grad students, staff and faculty are also welcome. Refreshments will be served.

Be sure to check Emory News Center throughout the month as more events are added. Want to share an event that’s open to the campus community? Send an email to emoryreport@emory.edu.

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YALI aims to empower young African leaders through academic coursework, leadership training, mentorship, networking, and follow-up support. The initiative was created through a partnership between Nelson Mandela and President Barack Obama in 2010. Currently, approximately 700 YALI fellows selected from more than 50,000 applicants spend six weeks in the U.S. each year. During the visit, the fellows study one of three academic tracks: business and entrepreneurship, civic leadership, or public management. The 25 YALI fellows who visited Goizueta operate in a number of industries, including sustainability, media, technology, agriculture, and cosmetics.

During their time in Atlanta, the fellows are hosted by Clark Atlanta University, and as part of their time in the city spend a day at Goizueta. Benn Konsynski, George S. Craft Professor of Information Systems & Operations Management, coordinates the fellows’ time at Goizueta. Their visit included a full slate of academic sessions with a combination of Goizueta faculty, alumni, and industry experts. After comments from Kristy Towry, John M. & Lucy Cook Chaired Professor of Accounting and Vice Dean of Faculty and Research, and Alicia Sierra, director, Human Resources and Diversity, the sessions began.

Engaging with Experts: Exploring AI, Entrepreneurship, and Innovation

First up was a discussion about artificial intelligence (AI) and the future of work, featuring a team from Microsoft. Bo Beaudion, director, transformation strategy, Microsoft, and Azim Manjee, senior account technology strategist, Microsoft, discussed the fundamental priorities shaping the AI transformation and introduced the fellows to Copilot, Microsoft’s workplace AI tool.

After the fellows spent lunch connecting with Towry, the guest speakers, and Konsynski, the fellows participated in multiple afternoon sessions. The first was “Revving Up Success: Entrepreneurship in the African Automotive Industry.” It featured Vinod Kadadi 12MBA, consulting partner, Automotive, Wipro Limited. Kadadi examined the role Africa plays in the automotive industry—as a consumer, supplier, and innovator. The session also touched on the evolution of propulsion systems and the opportunities such advances present to entrepreneurs in Africa.

Vinod Kadadi’s son,Tejas Kadadi, presented the following session on plastics and the environment. A high school senior at the Westminster Schools in Atlanta, Kadadi is also an entrepreneur. He is the founder of ReycloTech, an app that uses interactive AI to inform the public on how best to recycle and repurpose plastics. He also serves as the lead developer at Fund-A-Box, a company that aspires to connect farmers and plant-growers with donors. Kadadi focused on the transformative potential of generative AI in marketing, product innovation, technology strategy, and the labor market. “The YALI fellows engaged with and offered suggestions on Kadadi’s initiatives,” notes Konsynski.

The session that rounded out the day featured Rajiv Garg, associate professor of information systems and operations management. Garg shared insights on how generative AI is transforming industries. “The YALI fellows were engaged from the beginning and eager to expand the boundaries of learning by discussing the social and policy implications of AI innovation,” Garg says.

Learning from Industry Leaders Across Atlanta

The following week, Konsynski joined the fellows at Clark Atlanta University to discuss disruptive technologies. The fellows also spent time at Microsoft’s and IBM’s Atlanta headquarters during their time in Atlanta. While at IBM, Goizueta alum, Deepa Krishnan 06MBA, vice president of Worldwide Delivery Services, IBM Software, led a discussion on IBM’s cloud and AI initiatives.

Konsynski spent several days with the YALI fellows during their time in Atlanta. He describes them as “a bright, creative, energetic and fun group,” adding, “they return home with a great impression of Goizueta.”

To learn more about YALI, visit https://yali.state.gov/

Goizueta Business School is proud to be an active participant in a variety of organizations and initiatives that support and promote diversity in business and higher education. Learn more about Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion initiatives at Goizueta.

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Here are some guide highlights to get you started:

Books

Check out the libraries’ collection of books about Juneteenth such as Annette Gordon-Reed’s sweeping overview of the importance of the holiday in the past and the present, available at the library in print or as an ebook. You’ll also find books that highlight Juneteenth food traditions within our growing cookbook collection, as well as hallmarks of African American fiction ranging from the recently published Conjure Women by Afia Atakora to Jean Toomer’s Cane from 1923.

Videos and Podcasts

Traveling this month? Listen to a podcast that chronicles the history or significance of Juneteenth. For a culinary history of the holiday try Merry Juneteenth! from The Peas in the Podcast. Interested in learning more about Emancipation and the meaning of freedom in the United States today? Listen to The Daily’s The History and Meaning of Juneteenth.

Articles

In addition to books and podcasts, a good place to start learning about the significance of Juneteenth is Henry Louis Gates’ 2013 article “What is Juneteenth?” from The Root.

Want to learn more about Juneteenth in Atlanta? Visit our digital subscriptions to the Atlanta Daily World and the Atlanta Journal Constitution (login with a current Emory ID required).

Audio Recordings

Want some music for your celebrations? You can find hundreds of streaming audio titles within the Emory Libraries’ databases. Changed my Name, a collection of spirituals and other music related to Emancipation, is available via the Naxos Music Database. Check out additional selections ranging from Carlos Simon’s “rap opera” entitled “Requiem for the Enslaved” to an audio version of the poetry compilation, “I, Too, Sing America: Three Centuries of African American Poetry” in the Naxos Jazz and Spoken Word databases.

Resources for Kids

Did you know that the Emory Libraries has collections of children’s books related to Black history and culture? Find books like “Sojourner Truth’s Step-Stomp Stride,” which explores concepts like slavery, freedom, and emancipation through the lens of Sojourner Truth’s life. You’ll also find articles from the National Museum of African American History and Culture on how to talk to children about Juneteenth.

To view the complete guide, please visit Emory Libraries.

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