FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – The Unity Conference, a “conference with a purpose,” aims to promote diversity, equity and inclusion in Northwest Arkansas.
The conference, hosted by Trendsetters, a motivational speaker’s series, will host a student-only session at Fayetteville High School in the morning, followed by a session for business and community leaders at Crystal Bridges in the evening on Thursday, Sept. 2.
Presenting and host sponsors are invited to attend an after-hours event at 21c, Bentonville-based art museum, boutique hotel and restaurant. More information about registration will be announced on the Trendsetters website in June.
The September conference will feature personal stories, round-table discussions and a networking happy hour with notable speakers, including Janis F. Kearney, Bob J Nash, Anne Reynolds Robertson, Hank Broyles, Sherman Tate, Apostle Anthony L. Grier and more. Topics include race relations, cultural sensitivity, civil education, literacy and opportunity preparedness. All donations will be used to sustain Trendsetter’s fall programming.
“The conference is designed to provide education, access and opportunities to those who need it most in the community,” says John Gaiters, full-time MBA student in the Sam M. Walton College of Business at the University of Arkansas, president and founder of Trendsetters Foundation, president of the Arkansas Fashion Council and producer of the Unity Conference. “We hope the event inspires, provides networking opportunities and helps create a clear path for the community, regardless of the challenges they may face.”
The conference is based on four core principles:
Celebrate and acknowledge diversity.
Understand the mechanisms that perpetuate social oppression.
Address oppression and discrimination head-on.
Educate and take positive actions to address the systemic discrimination and structural
violence that serves to perpetuate injustices in the economy, literacy, health and
wellness, arts and culture, corporate responsibility and philanthropy.
“The purpose of the conference is to provide a unique safe space for decision-makers, business leaders, spiritual leaders, educators and students to unite during these unprecedented times,” Gaiters says. “Through interactive roundtable discussions, sessions and panels, attendees have the opportunity to access information and resources and to plan, strategize and engage on minority issues that impact opportunities for the community.” For more details on sponsorships and donations, please contact John Gaiters at john.gaiters@trend-setters.net
About TrendSetters
The TrendSetters Foundation is a non-profit (501c3)organization based in Northwest Arkansas with a mission to educate, inspire action and promote change through motivational interview sessions with leaders who have set trends for others to follow. TrendSetters was created to promote access and opportunity to all students through intimate conversations.
Former TrendSetters speakers include Sue Desmond-Hellman, senior adviser to Bill Gates and former CEO of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation; Tony Rogers, chief member officer at Sam’s Club; Caryl Stern, CEO of the Walton Family Foundation; Sherman Tate, chairman of Southern Bancorp, and more.
The TrendSetters Advisory Council includes Hank Broyles, Selby Drummond, Janis F. Kearney, Regine Moore, Bob Nash, Anne Reynolds-Robertson, Etan Thomas and Blake Woolsey.
Meet the Founder
The founder, John Gaiters is a 24-year-old African American male who realized he could choose his own path. Growing up with a single mom who served in the military, Gaiters had more than his fair share of obstacles to overcome. He had successful mentors who provided guidance and support and kept him focused on attaining his college education and pursuing his passion. As an individual who feels he was born to engage and connect with people, Gaiters has been provided opportunities that some wait a lifetime to realize. He has met and connected with leaders of stature all over the world and now he hopes to bring them to Northwest Arkansas.
Blythe Eggleston serves as the director of Walton College Executive Education. She holds bachelor’s
degrees in public relations and journalism from Texas Tech University and a master’s
of education from the University of Arkansas.
She worked for Murphy Oil in human resources and supply and transportation roles. Eggleston also worked in change management and training development at Accenture serving clients such as Texas Instruments, Enron, Clariant, ExxonMobil Downstream and ExxonMobil Chemical.
