EMU Today

YPSILANTI - Eastern Michigan University’s College of Business is launching a new speaker series in Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, Belonging and Justice. The first event, featuring entrepreneur and former nonprofit executive Kirk Mayes, will be held on Tuesday, Feb. 21 from 4:30 to 6 p.m. in the Student Center, Room 310. Mayes’ talk is entitled, “On to Realization: The Journey of Fulfillment.” 

Mayes will discuss leading a life of purpose and significance. The son of Jamaican parents, Mayes has worked in a number of “for-impact” organizations driven by a personal mission to improve the educational, social and economic outcomes of the Detroit community. He most recently served as the CEO of Forgotten Harvest. 

The College of Business speaker series is focused on positively impacting equity and justice among all persons whether facing discrimination, inequity and/or injustice on the basis of gender, race, income, and/or disability. It is sponsored by Ms. Joyce Jenereaux, retired President and Publisher of the Detroit Free Press, Michigan.com and Michigan Regional President for Gannett Co. Inc., member of the College of Business Dean’s Advisory Board and 1986 EMU College of Business alumna.

“It is my hope that bringing in exemplary speakers in diversity, equity, inclusion, belonging and justice will bring increased awareness and enrich the education of students on the Eastern Michigan University campus,” Jenereaux said. She also hopes that the presence of and interaction with such speakers will enrich and inform current and future discussions, programs and activities on campus seeking to positively impact diversity, equity and inclusion issues on campus and in the wider community as students graduate and join those communities.

For more information, please contact Cheryl Kernander at ckernand@emich.edu. 

About Eastern Michigan University
Founded in 1849, Eastern is the second oldest public university in Michigan. It currently serves more than 14,000 students pursuing undergraduate, graduate, specialist, doctoral and certificate degrees in the arts, sciences and professions. In all, more than 300 majors, minors and concentrations are delivered through the University's Colleges of Arts and Sciences; Business; Education; Engineering and Technology; Health and Human Services; and its graduate school. National publications regularly recognize EMU for its excellence, diversity, and commitment to applied education. Visit the University’s rankings and points of pride websites to learn more. For more information about Eastern Michigan University, visit the University's website. To stay up to date on University news, activities and announcements, visit EMU Today.