Breaking Through the Barriers of Systemic Racism – Presented by Biotech Vendor Service

Racism is hard to discuss and it is a responsibility for all of us as individuals to join the conversation. We want to advocate for a greater understanding of systemic racism and white privilege in order for us to truly evolve. No one wants to admit they have any racism, although it’s not until we admit our own racism built on a very old system that we start to break through the barriers of it. We want to discuss, examine and take action against systemic racism as a community!

JOIN us to tackle these issues and discover how collectively we can take action through becoming more aware and involved with the solution for this global initiative.

2:00 PM – 2:10 PM 
KEYNOTE ADDRESS: What is still stopping us from Breaking Through the Barriers of Systemic Racism?

Chris Draft,a former NFL linebacker and the Founder, President of the Chris Draft Family Foundation. He is also the Co-Founder of Team Draft, leading the creation of a national campaign that is changing the face of lung cancer. He is an internationally recognized speaker, community leader and family and character advocate who serves as an NFL Ambassador and a national spokesperson on many health-related issues.

2:10 PM – 2:50 PM 
PANEL 1:  How has white fragility and privilege impacted our movement forward against system racism and how have certain individuals broken through the system?

• A thought-provoking panel which will include women of color that have broken through that barrier to the top and how they succeeded.
• Additionally, we will discuss how to create more equality, especially for those that were not championed or come from a greater disadvantage.
• Finally, we will discuss how white privilege has actually hurt the fight against systemic racism, even where companies have diversity and inclusion programs.
• How can we start disrupting systemic racism in the school system?

MODERATOR: Pam Gardner, CEO & Founder, BVS

PANELISTS: Peter F. Hurst, Jr., President & CEO, Greater New England Minority Supplier Dev. Council, Inc. Leticia Toledo-Sherman, PhD.,Senior Director of Drug Discovery, The Tau Consortium, Lori McDaniel, Founder, Rainbow Bridges

2:50 PM – 3:20 PM
NETWORKING: A short break, and opportunity for networking and visiting with our sponsors.

3:20 PM – 4:00 PM
PANEL 2: What are the solutions to breaking through the barrier of systemic racism?

• A discussion with some of the top bio-pharma companies and suppliers on what they are doing to disrupt this system.
• Further examination on why current training on racism and diversity and inclusion often fails, and where do we need to think outside of the box here.
• Discuss what immediate steps can be implemented to take action.

MODERATOR: Pam Gardner, CEO & Founder, BVS

PANELISTS: Minita Shah-Mara, Vice Pres. Organization Effectiveness & Global Diversity & Inclusion, Biogen, Madeline McNeely, Founder, Conditioning Leaders, Animah Kosai, Founder, Speak Up At Work

4:00 PM – 4:30 PM
POST EVENT NETWORKING: Post event discussions and visiting with our sponsors.