MLK Diversity Breakfast continues the legacy and impact of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. in today's society
Lacey Klotz |
“Human progress is neither automatic nor inevitable...Every step toward the goal of justice requires sacrifice, suffering and struggle, the tireless exertions and passionate concern of dedicated individuals.” – Martin Luther King Jr.
In honor of the legacy and work of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., the Lipscomb University Department of Communication and Journalism and College of Liberal Arts & Sciences, in partnership with the Council on Workforce Innovation and National Organization for Workforce Diversity, present its annual MLK Diversity Breakfast on Friday, Jan. 15, 2016, at 8 a.m. in Lipscomb University’s Ezell Center.
“The MLK Diversity Breakfast is an opportunity for area professionals to gain a greater understanding of how to communicate about diversity and inclusion as a priority within their organizations and have access to a network of colleagues who collectively celebrate the cultural progression of the Nashville community,” explained Aerial Ellis, instructor for public relations at Lipscomb. “Our keynote speaker is a C-suite or civic leader connected to the practice of cross-cultural communication with a passion for the ways in which diversity and inclusion impacts business and community.”
This year’s MLK Diversity breakfast will feature Rose Jackson Flenorl, manager of social responsibility for FedEx Global Citizenship, as its guest speaker.
With more than 30 years of experience in marketing, communications and social responsibility, Flenorl directs and implements the company’s community outreach strategy in the areas of disaster relief, safety, environment, education and diversity.
As a manager of social responsibility for the internationally-recognized FedEx Global Citizenship, Flenorl leads a team of professionals committed to representing the heart of the corporation by executing strategic programs and maintains relationships with national and international nonprofit organizations.
An active participant in many philanthropic organizations, Flenorl has worked at FedEx for 14 years and represents FedEx on the Conference Board Contributions Council and serves on the board of directors of the National Civil Rights Museum. She has also served on the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Business Civic Leadership Center (BCLC) Board and the American Red Cross Corporate Advisory Council.
During the breakfast, Flenorl will provide insight on the global corporation’s work in serving an evolving base of multicultural consumers, strengthening its pipeline to recruit, retaining and advancing diverse talent, and supporting minority business owners and community initiatives through citizenship engagement.
Aside from the breakfast, Flenorl will also have several opportunities to speak into the lives of current Lipscomb students.
Lipscomb’s Office of Intercultural Development, along with the Career Development Center, is hosting a luncheon for 30 students interested in learning more about internships and other networking opportunities at FedEx, at noon in Ezell 363. Students of all majors will be given the opportunity to hear from Flenorl and ask questions at this Lunch and Learn event.
Current Lipscomb communication and journalism majors will also have the chance to hear Flenorl speak at the department’s Media Masters event on Thursday, Jan. 14 at 6:30 p.m. in Lipscomb’s Ezell Center.
Sponsored by the Department of Communication and Journalism in Lipscomb’s College of Liberal Arts & Sciences, Lipscomb’s MediaMasters Speaker Series honors communications professionals whose body of work stands as a model and inspiration for the next generation.
“We are glad to have Rose Jackson Flenorl, an accomplished professional and community leader, spend time talking with our communication/journalism students about the path to success in the industry and the various issues of diversity we face as a community,” Ellis continued. “Discussions about diversity allow our students to better identify bias and stereotypes, discover advocacy with an objective lens, and communicate across global cultures as future journalists and public relations practitioners.
“Through her visit, we hope those in attendance will consider diversity as a social action that challenges those norms, values, styles and patterns of thinking that can inspire more inclusive conversations.”
Individual tickets for the MLK Diversity Breakfast are $25 and tables are $250. Tickets are available online through the morning of the event and can be purchased at lipscomb.edu/diversitybreakfast.
For questions and more information, email communication [at] lipscomb.edu.