The Future of Work is Diverse, Inclusive, Just and Equitable

GlobalMindED closes the equity gap by creating a capable, diverse talent pipeline through connections to role models, mentors, internships for low-income students, returning adults, First Gen to college and inclusive leaders who teach them, work with them and hire them.
Empowering Students to Tap Into Their Authenticity: Meet Obinna Onyeali

Obinna Onyeali (Comm’09) is the past president of the University of Colorado Boulder’s Black Student Alliance and the current co-president of the Forever Buffs Black and African American Alumni Club. Since graduation he has worked at CU, the Daniels Fund, and the Denver Scholarship Foundation helping students and scholars to navigate higher education.

What is your personal Story?

Having grown up in Colorado as a First Generation Nigerian American, culture, heart and communication were pillars that formed the foundation of my personal narrative. I am passionate about serving my community, and for over the last decade, have helped guide, motivate and encourage others in curating their own story. I have yet to shy away from an opportunity to showcase my authentic self and love for creating spaces where creativity brings communities together.
 
What does leadership mean to you, and what advice would you give to inclusive leaders?

To me leadership is the opportunity to not just grow yourself personally and professionally but others as well who are seeking to understand their soul purpose in life.

Some advice that was helpful to me was to remember your authenticity and to not let others dim that light. Utilize the platform you are given to reach the masses & to empower humanity.
 
What inspired you to become an educator?

My late father Dr. Elazar Onyeali was my inspiration to reimagine what education could be. He believed that education has the possibility to empower and spark true creativity. It is all about how you approach it, with your head and heart working together. It brings me joy to work with students from all different backgrounds, empowering them to tap into their authenticity.
 
What is your greatest vision as a life learner? Where do you see your career in the years to come?

My great vision as a life learner is to continuously be a sponge for knowledge. In the years to come I hope that I have created a platform that speaks to my true life potential. I also want to continue to empower youth & young adults to curate their narrative.

How can GlobalMindED further support the efforts that you are a part of?

Continuously providing space where voices who are not sure what or how to say something have advocates in their corner.
Join us in Denver June 7-9 for GlobalMindED 2023
Early Bird Registration Open Now
Register here

To get a feel for the conference experience, please see this brief video by The PhD Project from the 2022 GlobalMindED Conference

  • GlobalMindED June 2022 DEI conference
  • Complete 2022 Program
  • Inclusive Leader Awards Program 2022
  • 800+ attendees
  • 140 students from 41 universities/colleges, 58 received scholarships
  • 300+ speakers from 65 universities/colleges and 47 businesses
  • 130 universities/colleges represented
  • Majority of panels featured at least one student
  • 74 % diverse speakers
Social Justice and Equity: A constant evolution but we still haven’t hit the mark!
Social Justice and Equity: A Constant Evolution but we Still Haven’t Hit the Mark!, a Get Comfortable Being Uncomfortable presentation
Dr. Ryan Ross; Assoc. V. Chancellor Student Affairs, Equity, & Inclusion, Colorado Community College System
Reiland Rabaka; Founder and Director, Center for African and African American Studies, University of Colorado Boulder,
Lana Hailemariam; Chief Executive Officer, StandUP, LLC,
Emily Shamsid-Deen; Principal, ESD Consulting,
Dr. Roberto Montoya; Chief Educational Equity Officer, Colorado Department of Higher Education,
Keith Station; Deputy Chief of Staff—Diversity, Equity & Inclusion, City of Omaha Mayor’s Office
The GlobalMindED Inclusive Success NetworkTM had another banner year of growth, impact, and outcomes for First Generation, poverty-affected and minoritized students. Here are some of the highlights: 
 
  • Return of in-person GlobalMindED conference with record attendance and the largest First Gen Leadership Class ever of 122 student leaders. See PhD Project brief video of the event. 
  • Our fourth annual Inclusive Leader Awards recognized 15 DEIB leaders across sectors.
  • Almost all our 100+ panels and sessions of 2022 featured a student. 
  • Of the 300+ speakers, 73% were diverse leaders sharing their thoughts. 
  • We held our first Industry Marketplace Career Exploration Arena at GlobalMindED 2022 with 40 companies, giving K-12, college students, educators, and leaders a way to learn about emerging fields and careers. Join us for the next one at GlobalMindED 2023. 
  • Our first satellite event at Georgia Institute of Tech was livestreamed via the Atlanta PBS affiliate. 
  • We became an official initiative of the Foundation for the Support the United Nations (FSUN) and will hold our first UN event on March 22, 2023. 
  • ·We served ten colleges with the GlobalMindED Success Collaborative connecting students at each HBCU, MSI, HIS and Tribal College with role models, mentors, internships, and jobs. 
  • We had partners/volunteers from Microsoft, Salesforce, Rubrik, HP, Stanford MBA and more. 
  • We spoke at the White House Initiative for HBCUs with sponsor Hewlett Packard. 
  • Our team, Board, Colorado Board and Executive Leadership Council are all majority diverse serving a majority diverse population of emerging leaders. 
  • We continued to publish our daily newsletter and conduct monthly virtual Equity events, led by people of color with majority diverse panelists and students. These are the role models for our students.
  • Our annual operating budget increased by 67% emerging COVID strong. 
  • We doubled our staff from four to eight as we grow to scale our impact. 
  • Our Young Professionals grew to 40 strong, with a ten-person leadership cabinet made up of, but not limited to, graduates of our programs who are now working professionals.  
  • Since 2015, we have successfully connected 1,200+ students to internships and jobs. 
  • Our founder, Carol Carter, was recognized as one of the Most Powerful Women in Denver by the Colorado Women’s Chamber of Commerce and one of the Most Admired CEOs by the Denver Business Journal. 
 
We are grateful for the support, inclusive leadership, and financial contributions of our community and sponsors who work tirelessly to open doors for the students we serve, the institutions who support them, and the businesses and non-profits who are committed to hiring a capable, diverse talent pipeline.  We look forward to seeing all of you June 7-9 at our best event yet, GlobalMindED 2023 - Transforming Boundaries: Creating Systemic Access and Equity. The Inclusive Leaders Awards Dinner is June 7, followed by the conference June 8- 9 at the Denver Downtown Sheraton.  
GlobalMindED | 303-327-5688 | contact@globalminded.org | www.globalminded.org
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