MBK | MSK 2023
Fellowship Summit
Black Excellence: An Affirming Action
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WHEN
Friday – Sunday
June 2 – 4, 2023
Summit 2023
Black Excellence: An Affirming Action.
The Theme of the 2023 Fellowship Summit was
“Black Excellence: An Affirming Action” and included panels that addressed topics such as relationship building, fellowship, wellness, Biglaw partnership, General Counsel insights, and more.
The My Brother’s Keeper (MBK) | My Sister’s Keeper (MSK) 2023 Fellowship Summit.
The Fellowship Summit provided opportunities for frank and open dialogue about our shared experiences as male and female attorneys of color, facilitated the development of new relationships built on existing connections, and provided attendees with strategies for professional and personal growth.
TOPICS IN THE 2023 EVENT
Black Excellence: An Affirming Action
01.
Professional Freedom
Secure and maintain control over your career.
02.
Mental Freedom
Make choices for yourself without being inhibited by detrimental thoughts and emotions.
03.
Financial Freedom
Accumulate sufficient financial resources to afford the kind of life you want for yourself and your family.
ENGAGEMENT OPPORTUNITIES
The 2023 Fellowship Summit provided a meaningful and interactive experience through engagement opportunities offered to registrants.
Ask and Offer - AVAILABLE YEAR ROUND!
We encouraged registrants to sign up for the “Ask and Offer.” The purpose of the Ask and Offer is to gain an understanding of how we can help one another by having the courage to ask for assistance and being generous enough to offer assistance.
LinkedIn Review
Complimentary resume reviews were offered through collaboration with Inclusive Legal Search, LLC, Crossdale Search and COGO Partners.
limited availability
Partner 1-on-1
Partner-ready and soon-to-be partner-ready attendees (“Partner Nexters”) were given the opportunity to have mentoring sessions with an experienced partner to review the Partner Nexters’ business plan.
limited availability
General Counsel 1-on-1
GC-ready and soon-to-be GC-ready attendees (“GC Nexters”) were given the opportunity to have mentoring sessions with experienced general counsels.
limited availability
Our 2023 Planning Committee
Our Planning Committee worked with the Board of Directors and Executive Committee
to deliver the maximum fellowship experience for the 6/2-6/4 Fellowship Summit
Kimberly Allman
Consultant,
The Allman Group LLC
Keilon Forest
Program Director,
ACC Foundation
Association of Corporate Counsel
Essence Liburd
Associate Compliance Counsel,
DailyPay
Shauki Smith
Principal Attorney,
The Key Practice, LLC
Yeve Sibanda
Director, Assistant General Counsel,
Brex
Morenike Williams
CEO,
Revision Coaching
Jeremy Garcia
Recent Penn State Dickinson Law Graduate, Admin to the Metropolitan Black Bar Association, and Volunteer with the Dominican Bar Association, HNBA, ABA, MBK/MSK, and Latino Judges Association
Thank You to Our 2023 Sponsors
RAINMAKER SPONSORS
RISING STAR SPONSOR
As one of the leading law firms serving the financial services industry, Schulte Roth & Zabel advises clients from strategically located offices in New York, London and Washington, DC. We are dedicated to fostering inclusion in all areas of the firm’s operations and work to provide legal services that meet the unique needs of our diverse communities.
RECRUIT SPONSORS
ALLY SPONSORS
2023 Event Agenda
Friday, June 2nd, 2023
10am- 10:15am
Welcome and Opening Remarks/Highlight Reel
Welcome MBK | MSK Family!
Speakers:
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Nate Saint Victor
General Counsel & Chief Compliance Officer, Engine No. 1 |
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Nicole L. Arrindell
Chief of Staff to Chief Legal Officer & Corporate Secretary and Counsel for Regulatory Affairs, Equitable |
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10:15am-11:15am
Excellence in Management: Law Firm Managing Partner Roundtable
Building our own ladder: How we reclaimed the partnership journey and made it our own.
Candid discussion with a group of law firm leaders to unpack how they mapped out their career trajectory, outlined their strategies for ascension, and strategically leveraged their relationships to create a internal support network that empowered them each individually and collectively.
Speakers:
 | Moderator Jeanine Conley Daves Office Managing Shareholder, Littler Mendelson |
 | Moderator Brian Idehen Senior Associate, BurgherGray LLP |
 | Yomi Dabiri Managing Partner, Polsinelli |
 | Mark Hatcher Managing Partner, BakerHostetler |
 | Karen Jordan Office Managing Partner, St. Louis, Dentons |
11:45am-12:50pm
Excellence in the C-Suite: General Counsel Roundtable
Lessons from the Mountaintop: A roundtable discussion with GCs on the approaches that got them there, the tools that keep them there, and the skills you need to forge a similar path.
This panel is an opportunity for the audience to hear directly from trailblazing GCs firsthand. The goal is for GCs to share a realistic glimpse for listeners into what it really takes to ascend to the top of the ladder, and equally as important, what’s required to stay there.
Key takeaways for the audience would be:
- What should they start doing now to position themselves for future GC opportunities
- When is the “right” time to make the leap, discussing the downsides of being at the top (limited lateral/transition opportunities, potential to get fired/periods of unemployment, navigating the board, etc.)
- Substantive skills one should have in their arsenal (board governance, compliance, sec filings, etc.)
- Other valuable insights or areas of consideration that the panelists would like to share.
Speakers:
 | Moderator Princess Fuller Associate, McDermott Will & Emery LLP |
 | Moderator Ernest Tuckett Vice President, Associate General Counsel, VERISIGN |
 | Kathy Card Beckles EVP, Chief Legal Officer and Corporate Secretary at Verisk | Board Member Nasdaq Exchange |
 | Deirdre Stanley Executive Vice President & General Counsel, Estee Lauder |
 | Franco Spraggins General Counsel & Chief Compliance Officer, EVERSANA |
 | Brandon Nelson General Counsel and Corporate Secretary, JetBlue |
 | Erica Green Principal, Chief Compliance Officer, Vanguard |
12:50pm-2:00pm
Fireside Chat/Keynote
Damien’s authentic story of strife and success and best practices learned along the way
Speakers:
 | Moderator Conway Ekpo Director & Associate General Counsel, Brex |
 | Damien Atkins General Counsel, Aura |
2:05pm-2:20pm
Fellowship Real Talk 1
Advancement Initiative.
Speakers:
 | Natalya Johnson Senior Counsel, Johnson & Johnson | President, Garden State Bar Association |
 | Njeri Chasseau Senior Counsel at Showtime Networks Inc. |
 | Amanda Benjamin Smith Senior Investments Counsel, Genworth |
 | Anna Maria Tejada Partner, Saul Ewing |
2:20pm-2:35pm
History of MBK/MSK
Speakers:
 | Darryl Gibbs Chief Diversity Officer, Equitable |
2:35pm-3:00pm
Fellowship Break 2
Speakers:
 | Melissa Fenton Executive Director, CUP USA |
3:00pm-3:30pm
Plenary Session
Excellence in Life: Managing Chaos
Making Time vs Finding Time: Practical strategies for effectively navigating life’s competing demands while prioritizing self-care.
The truth is that lack of time often isn’t the issue; ineffective prioritization, delegation, and time allocation are the real culprits.
In this conversation, panelists will discuss the consequences of failing to manage chaos in personal and professional life and will share practical strategies and systems that can be used to balance competing priorities, improve mental and physical health, build and nurture relationships, increase productivity, and prioritize driving outcomes instead of mere outputs.
Speakers:
 | Moderator Paul Colinet Senior Legal Counsel, Legal & Business Advisory, Xero, Inc. |
 | Morenike Williams CEO, Revision Coaching |
 | Kim Chainey EVP, Chief Legal Officer & Corp. Secretary at Aptar |
3:30pm-4:30pm
Plenary Session
Excellence in Life: Career Trailblazer
Jerika Richardson and Alvin Bragg engage in a Fireside Chat on Alvin’s historic career trajectory that led him to become the first black Manhattan District Attorney and how he has managed the power and turbulence that is required in the role.
Speakers:
 | Moderated by Jerika Richardson Senior Vice President, Equitable Justice & Strategic Initiatives – National Urban League |
 | Alvin Bragg Manhattan DA |
Saturday, June 3rd, 2023
10:20am-11:20am
Concurrent Plenary Sessions 5A and 5B
MSK Session – Excellence in Health & Wellness
Moving yourself from the backburner: The importance of prioritizing your holistic well-being and the importance of life planning.
Self-focused is not selfish. Taking care of yourself is the best way to ensure that you are able to serve the people around you at the highest levels without leaving yourself depleted in the process.
Hear panelists discuss best practices for holistically caring for yourself from the inside out so that you are able to show up fully not only for your work or loved ones, but most importantly for yourself. Learn about the importance of life planning and understanding health benefits in terms of how it pertains to your overall health and your future.
Speakers:
 | Moderator Yeve Chitiga Director, Assistant General Counsel, Brex |
| Moderator Nicole L. Arrindell Chief of Staff to Chief Legal Officer & Corporate Secretary and Counsel for Regulatory Affairs, Equitable |
 | Esther Boykin MFT, Group Therapy Associates |
 | India Sneed Associate, Greenberg Traurig |
 | Michaune Tillman General Counsel, Steel Processing, Worthington Industries |
MBK Session – Excellence in Health & Wellness
Moving yourself from the backburner: The importance of prioritizing your holistic well-being and the importance of life planning.
Self-focused is not selfish. Taking care of yourself is the best way to ensure that you are able to serve the people around you at the highest levels without leaving yourself depleted in the process.
Hear panelists discuss best practices for holistically caring for yourself from the inside out so that you are able to show up fully not only for your work or loved ones, but most importantly for yourself.
Speakers:
 | Moderator Jacques Sexton Associate General Counsel, Privacy, DailyPay |
 | Dr. Fritz Galette Fritz Galette Psychologist PC |
 | Dino Bovell Director, Business Affairs, TV & Streaming at NBCUniversal |
 | Duane Hughes Chair, Americas Advisory Council, UBS Americas |
 | Emerson Moore Independent Board Director, Boxed |
11:50am-12:05pm
Fellowship Real Talk
1844
Speakers:
 | Duvol M. Thompson Partner, Holland & Knight |
 | Kamal S. Nesfield Partner, Milbank |
12:05pm-12:35pm
Keynote
Excellence in Fortitude: Breaking Down Barriers
Turning the wall into a door: Overcoming the barriers that impact the career trajectories of people of color.
The reality is that there are still barriers, both internal and external, that impede the meaningful progression and ascension of people of color in every avenue of the legal profession. In this session we want to have a transparent conversation about what some of those barriers are and provide real examples of how the speakers have navigated them both successfully and unsuccessfully.
A Fireside Chat during which Jim shares his story and insights.
Speakers:
 | Moderator Mikeisha Anderson Jones Chief Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Officer at Milbank LLP |
 | James T. Breedlove Former Senior Vice President, General Counsel & Secretary at Praxair |
12:35pm-1:05pm
Keynote
Excellence in Legacy: Building Pipelines
A Fireside Chat where James tells his story and shares insight, including how to navigate challenges that seek to mute and frustrate innovation and how to strategically and effectively build a pipeline for diverse talent.
Speakers:
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Moderator
Michael Henry
Chief Compliance Officer, Wafra |
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James O’Neal
Chair, Founder, Legal Outreach |
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1:05pm-2:20pm
Lunch and Progress Roundtable
Black Excellence IS an Affirming Action. Life Post Supreme Court
This year, the United States Supreme Court will decide cases that demand an end to affirmative action as we know it. The revolt against affirmative action isn’t new. Leading experts on civil rights and constitutional law will dissect how an end to affirmative action in higher education and ultimately other spaces will impact the future and what folks can do to move ahead to protect and prevent destruction of opportunity.
Speakers:
 | Moderator Essence Liburd Associate Compliance Counsel, DailyPay |
 | Damon Hewitt President and Executive Director of the Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law |
2:30pm-3:15pm
Plenary Session
Excellence in Transition: Switching Lanes – Making Powerful Pivots and Strategic Career Upgrades
In this conversation, panelists who have held roles in various sectors will share their stories and advice on how to make professional moves that truly leverage your talent, expertise, and skills.
Speakers:
| Moderator Paul Colinet Senior Legal Counsel, Legal & Business Advisory, Xero, Inc. |
| Moderator Morenike Williams CEO, Revision Coaching |
 | Pia Flanagan Head of Mass Markets, Mass Mutual |
 | Sozi Tulante General Counsel, Form Energy |
 | Andrez Carberry Head of Global Human Resource, Deere |
3:45pm-4:30pm
Plenary Session
Excellence in Wealth – CREAM: Securing YOUR Bag
No coin left behind: Strategies to ensure you are claiming your max comp.
Everywhere we turn nowadays we are told to “secure the bag”, but the key piece of advice missing from that rallying cry is to make sure the bag you’re securing isn’t light.
For too long compensation has been a taboo topic, particularly in communities of color, and the lack of transparent conversations keeps us unaware about how much we should really be demanding, in terms of base, equity, and non-traditional perks (such as nanny expenses, concierge service access post-separation, etc.).
In addition to conducting a demo compensation conversation, our panelists are going to break down the dos and don’ts of salary negotiations, competitive salary levels, how people should weigh equity offers, and what are some of the other benefits people can request as part of their overall package.
Speakers:
 | Moderator Roy Locke Senior Vice President, Marsh USA LLC |
 | Moderator Kimberly Allman Consultant, The Allman Group LLC |
| Jeanine Conley Daves Office Managing Shareholder, Littler Mendelson |
 | Tobias Spruill Senior Managing Counsel – Head of North American Employment Law & Employee Benefits |
 | Stacey Gray Stacey Gray PC |
 | Andrew Titus Founder/Principal COGO Partners, LLC |
Sunday, June 4th, 2023
10:30am-11:00am
Coffee/Fellowship Check-in
Speakers:
 | Sanetta Ponton Pastor of Justice, Advocacy and Compassion, Metro Community Church Executive Director, Metro Community Center |
11:00am -12:00pm
Plenary Session
Excellence in Wealth: Independence through Wealth Creation
Leaving a Legacy: The importance of leveraging diversified investment strategies as part of your generational wealth planning The audience will hear about the various faculty, including Trevor Rozier-Bryd’s creation of Stackwell Capital, a digital platform specifically focused on closing the racial wealth gap by demystifying investing, Chaz Gates’ development of a shark tank winning wine business, Jeffrey Kennerly’s advice as a Financial Advisor; and Michelle Ifill’s bed and breakfast venture in retirement. The goal is to have a real conversation about the racial wealth gap, what it is realistically going to take to close it, and ways of strategically leveraging various financial instruments to start that process.
Speakers:
 | Moderator Nneka Ukpai Head of Financial Innovations, Better |
 | Moderator Squire Servance Managing Partner, Syridex Bio |
 | Trevor Rozier-Byrd Founder, Stackwell |
 | Chaz Gates CO-Owner and COO at Wondry Wine |
 | Jeffrey Kennerly Financial Advisor, Morgan Stanley |
 | Michelle Ifill Retired General Counsel; Founder, CEO, Villa La Maison Michelle |
MPK
MBK | MSK is our community and My People’s Keeper (MPK) is the non-profit entity that provides structure and leadership for all of our initiatives.
