Prevailing through Change

WMY46 Conference

Change is happening all around us. Electric vehicles, artificial intelligence, big data, another presidential election, even the threat of an impending recession...the list is never-ending. As we have seen before, we know it is not enough to simply be aware of change.

We must adapt to change, so that we are able to prevail as a people and a culture.

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2019 Featured Keynotes

WMY46 Conference

Lisa Skeete Tatum

FOUNDER & CEO

LANDIT

David Gross

FOUNDER & CEO

THE CONFLUENT GROUP

Melissa James

VICE CHAIRMAN, GLOBAL CAPITAL MARKETS

MORGAN STANLEY

Arnold Donald

PRESIDENT & CEO

CARNIVAL CORPORATION & PLC

Glenda McNeal WG'86

HEAD OF STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIPS

AMERICAN EXPRESS

ALUMNI HONOREE

The 46th annual Whitney M. Young Conference explored best practices from experts in the public, private and social sectors that match the unique needs of Black America. At last year's conference, the aim was to leave participants with the tools and strategies to further the prosperity of Black America as a member or an ally.

Breakout sessions

The Finance Panel focused on discussing the burgeoning interest in investing with diverse private equity managers. Several studies have highlighted how diverse teams lead to stronger performance at corporations. This narrative extends to investing, as the industry has seen diverse managers generate attractive risk-adjusted and out-sized alpha for investors. This panel explored best practices on sourcing, pipeline development, allocation of capital to emerging managers as well as highlighted how diverse managers have successfully positioned themselves in capital raising efforts.

Doing the Math:

Capital + Diverse Managers = Unlocked Value

Carra L. Wallace

FMR. CHIEF DIVERSITY OFFICER

NEW YORK OFFICE OF THE

COMPTROLLER

Stephen Cammock

PRINCIPAL

PRIVATE EQUITY INVESTMENTS

GCM GROSVENOR

Sheldon Howell

PRINCIPAL

ICV PARTNERS

Jerry L. Johnson

PARTNER

RLJ EQUITY PARTNERS

Patricia Miller Zollar

MANAGING DIRECTOR

PRIVATE INVESTMENTS

NEUBERGER BERMAN

Alfred Zollar

EXECUTIVE PARTNER

SIRIS GROUP

MODERATOR

FINANCE

The Social Impact Panel discussed the importance of investing in black communities in three key areas: education, housing, and healthcare. Several studies have highlighted that impact investing can make a meaningful and measurable difference in the lives of individuals, families, and communities. This panel explored why impact investing makes sense for everyone, from private equity firms and investment banks to foundations and individuals. Through impacting investing, we can be agents of social change, while also achieving our goals as investors.

Closing the Racial Gap:

Investing in Education, Housing & Healthcare

Desiree Thomas WG '99

DEPUTY DIRECTOR

NYC HOUSING PRESERVATION

AND DEVELOPMENT

Buwa Binitie

MANAGING PRINCIPAL

DANTES PARTNERS

Sekou Kaalund

HEAD OF ADVANCING

BLACK PATHWAYS

JPMORGAN CHASE & CO.

Dia Martin WG'02

MANAGING DIRECTOR

SOCIAL ENTERPRISE

FINANCE

OPIC

Michael Smith

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

MY BROTHER'S KEEPER ALLIANCE

OBAMA FOUNDATION

MODERATOR

SOCIAL IMPACT

The Technology panel highlighted various perspectives on diversity & inclusion (D&I) within the technology industry and how these attitudes have shifted over time. The panel explored the changing narrative of D&I from the vantage point of key D&I leaders in technology. Reflecting upon years of experience implementing D&I initiatives, the panelists discussed some of the prevailing D&I strategies that have moved the needle and offered advice on what we can do to become stronger advocates of D&I ourselves.

Quota or Nah:

The Changing Narrative of D&I in Tech

Stephanie Creary

ASSISTANT PROFESSOR

OF MANAGEMENT

THE WHARTON SCHOOL

Ntiedo Etuk

FOUNDER & CEO

PRIVATE EQUITY INVESTMENTS

FITGRID

Antoinette Hamilton

DIVERSITY, EQUITY, AND

INCLUSION CHAMPION

Monica Hooks WG'98

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

CITY OF ATLANTA WOMEN'S

ENTREPRENEURSHIP

INITIATIVE

Chike Ukaegbu WG'14

FOUNDER & LEAD EXECUTIVE

STARTUP52

MODERATOR

TECHNOLOGY

The Media and Entertainment panel was designed to question the true impact on users and audiences from the recent surge in minority representation in the post #OscarsSoWhite world. The panel explored the evolving roles of traditional media companies, from content owners to content creators, and more recently, technology firms to drive the mission of a more diverse and inclusive world. This narrative extends to the opportunities and threats that arise from the intensifying streaming wars and the changing consumer and producer landscape, as we witness an increasing demand from China, along with heavier reliance on the Chinese for film financing.