Diversity, equity and inclusion programs are being targeted for elimination by both the federal and Ohio state governments.
Join the Akron Press Club for a closer look at the battle over DEI and alternatives at a noon luncheon on Monday, March 31, at the East End Akron Goodyear Building, 1201 East Market Street, Akron. A panel of three DEI experts will explore the origins of the battle and the alternatives that are being developed.
An Ohio Senate bill (SB1) forbids public schools from employing people to encourage admissions, hiring or promotions based on race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion or gender expression. Efforts at colleges and state and federal agencies have come under similar attacks.
And some private industries have stepped back from DEI efforts as well.
But others have stepped into such efforts, arguing that they are key to drawing on the strengths of a broader community to create stronger communities and the best workforce.
Event Information:
Fast and easy online registration
Or contact Emily Henthorn, Press Club administrator, at akronpressclub@gmail.com.
Date: Monday, March 31, 2025
Time: Doors open at 11 a.m. for buffet luncheon. Program begins at noon
Place: NEW LOCATION - Goodyear Hall, 1201 East Market Street, Akron
Parking: Available in the lot at the corner of Goodyear Boulevard and East Market Street
Cost: $35 per individual. $210 for table of 6.
Check only accepted day of event.
Reservation deadline: Noon, Wednesday, March 26, 2025
Cancellations: Cancellation requests must be received no later than 48 hours before the event. After that time, there will be no refunds and an invoice will be issued for payment.
Meet the panelists:
Amanda Cole has been Executive Director of Plexus LGBT+ Allied Chamber of Commerce for nearly six years. Plexus is a network designed to help LGBT businesses grow. Cole’s background includes extensive work in the non-profit sector, including as director of individual and major gifts for MOCA Cleveland. She holds a master’s degree in public administration from Wright State University and a bachelor’s degree in cultural interdisciplinary studies from Antioch College.
Robert DeJournett is a self-described Diversity, Equity & Inclusion champion and founder and president of DeJournett Consulting. He also heads the Black Chamber of Commerce Summit County. DeJournett spent more than a dozen years at Summa Health, where his positions included system director of community relations and diversity. He holds his bachelor’s degree in mass media communications from the University of Akron.
Esther Thomas is her native City of Akron’s director of diversity, equity and inclusion and chaired the Akron Civil Rights Commission. Before joining the city government, she held posts including director of DEI with the Summit County Sheriff’s Office and was a magistrate with Summit County Juvenile Court and human resources director with Community Action Akron Summit. She holds her bachelor’s degree from Amherst College and earned her law degree from the University of Cincinnati College of Law.
Proceeds from Akron Press Club events fund scholarships for journalism and public relations students. Between the Press Club and the John S. Knight Memorial Scholarship Fund, scholarships of $5,000 were awarded to 10 students in 2024. The Press Club sincerely thanks Summit County, Dr. Aileen Thong and Elizabeth Bartz for their donations to the scholarship fund.
The Akron Press Club was founded in 1971 to promote a free press and serve local journalists and public relations professionals. The group has a rich heritage of offering newsmakers a forum to discuss issues of the day at Press Club luncheons and speaking events that are open to the public. The club also funds scholarships for journalists and public relations students. Visit www.akronpressclub.org for information.