In its third annual installment, the Michigan Diversity Council will host the National Black Men in Leadership Summit in at Huntington Place in Detroit from 8 a.m. – 4 p.m. on Aug. 17-18. This year’s event, hosted in partnership with the National Diversity Council, is themed “The Legacy of Black Leadership and Excellence” and will center on the legacy and contributions of historic Black leaders and their roles as trailblazers and visionaries.
“Our focus and our goal is to really shed a light on when we think about Black leaders in this country, they represent 3.2 percent — that’s from a C-Suite perspective, from a senior leadership perspective — but when we think about CEOs that represent the Black community in this country as a whole, the Fortune 500 companies, (Black men) represent less than 1 percent,” said Darlene King-Turner, Executive Director of the Michigan Diversity Council.
“Our goal is really to educate corporations and communities, whether you’re a nonprofit or for-profit, on the importance of Black leadership, on the importance of diversity, equity, and inclusion, and the importance of belonging, and the contributions our community makes and has made…in this country.”
The summit serves as an opportunity for Black leaders from around the country in the areas of entrepreneurship, corporate business, politics, technology, healthcare, education, and beyond to come together and discuss topics as it relates to diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging.
“So often, Black males have not been uplifted and (neither has) the conversation about their contributions as philanthropists, and fathers, and coaches, and leaders in this country,” King-Turner said.
Additionally, experts, attendees, and influential guests will discuss Black entrepreneurship, racism and mental health, fatherhood in the Black community, policing in America, the legacy of Black Greek letter organizations and historically Black colleges and universities, Black philanthropy, and more.
The Michigan Diversity Council annually awards businesses and individuals at the event. Here is a list of this year’s recipients, who will be given the awards at the summit:
2023 Black Men in Leadership Summit Awardees
Business Impact Award
MACC Development
Racial Justice and DE&I Advocacy Award
New Detroit
Community Leader Award
Dwan Dandridge, CEO
Black Leaders Detroit
Outstanding Entrepreneur Award
Maurice Evans, CEO
Elite School Management
Outstanding Educator Award
Glenn McIntosh, Senior Vice President for Student Affairs and Chief Diversity Officer
Oakland University
Business Leader Award
Kenneth Mathies, Vice President and Chief Diversity Officer
AAA
Emerging Leader Award
Dominic Mathis – Nelson
Undergrad at Michigan State University
In addition to the individual and company awards, scholarships will be awarded to Black male college-bound students. The selected scholarship recipients are individuals who demonstrate strong leadership traits, community involvement, and academic achievement.
For more information about the event or sponsorship opportunities, contact Ivy Hunter at ivy.hunter@nationaldiversitycouncil.org.
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