What does it really mean to belong — in your workplace, in your community, and in a city like Cleveland?

This opening session will set the tone for the day by inviting you to reflect on your own experiences of belonging, explore how others define it, and consider what it takes to build spaces where people don’t just fit in, but truly thrive.

We’ll look at belonging not just as a buzzword, but as a feeling — one that’s deeply personal, yet shaped by the environments around us.

Presented by: Edwin Hubbard Jr., Executive Director, NAACP Cleveland Branch

We’ve all heard the terms diversity, equity, and inclusion — but what do they really mean in practice? And more importantly, are they working?

In this session, we’ll take a fresh, human-centered look at DEI through the lens of belonging — the feeling of being accepted, valued, and safe as your full self. Together, we’ll explore what it means to move beyond surface-level initiatives and toward truly welcoming cultures. Through reflection, real-world stories, and practical strategies, we’ll ask the hard question: Who’s still being left out — and what can we do about it?

This session is for anyone who wants to make inclusion more than a buzzword — and belonging more than a hope.

Presented by: Kevin Clayton, Executive Vice President – Chief Impact and Equity Officer, Rock Entertainment Group & Cleveland Cavaliers 

Belonging isn’t just about having a seat at the table — it’s about knowing the rules, both written and unwritten. From how we dress to how we speak, handle conflict, or participate in meetings, unspoken workplace norms shape who feels welcome — and who doesn’t.

During this panel conversation, we’ll explore how these invisible rules impact different people in different ways. Through real stories and practical insight, we’ll challenge assumptions about “professionalism” and consider how to create more open, flexible cultures where everyone has the chance to belong — without leaving parts of themselves at the door.

Panelists:

Terri Ford, Senior Executive Consultant, Collective Core Consulting

Allison Kwan, Manager Engagement & Belonging, Cleveland Guardians Baseball

Daniel Nilsson, Chief Research and Impact Officer, College Now Greater Cleveland

Yentil Rawlinson, Vice President, Belonging, Culture, & Employee Experience The Sherwin-Williams Company

Have you ever felt like you had to tone yourself down or hide part of who you are to succeed at work? Whether it’s your voice, your background, your identity, or simply your personality — many people know what it’s like to be included but not fully accepted.

This honest, story-driven fireside chat explores the emotional cost of showing up in spaces that weren’t built with all of us in mind. Through real experiences and open dialogue, we’ll explore the tension between being authentic and being “professional,” and imagine what true belonging could look like when we no longer have to choose.”

Presenters:

Celina Cunanan, Chief Health Impact Officer, University Hospitals

Dora Bechtel, Principal, Shaker Heights City School District

Belonging doesn’t stop at your office door. It’s shaped by where we live, how we move through the city, who we see in leadership, and which voices get heard.

This panel brings together civic, business, and community leaders working to create a more connected and inclusive Cleveland — from neighborhood development and hiring pipelines to cultural representation and access.

Together, we’ll explore how belonging looks different across the region, and how we can bridge divides to build a city where everyone feels like they belong.

Panelists:

Jeff Modzelewski, Director of Engagement, Diversity Center of NEO
Marcia Moreno, President & Founder, AmMore Consulting LLC
Melaak Rashid, Development Director, Smart Development
Edward Stockhausen, Senior Vice President of Advocacy & External Relations, Cleveland neighborhood Progress

Belonging doesn’t happen by accident, it happens by design. In this closing session, we’ll shift from reflection to action by examining how identity, lived experience, and structural dynamics intersect to shape culture in the workplace. Through the lenses of intersectionality, including intergenerational learning, gender, race, and neurodivergence, we’ll explore how employees experience inclusion differently, and how to intentionally design practices that foster belonging for all.

From onboarding and feedback to leadership visibility and unwritten workplace norms, this session dives into real-world strategies that help individuals feel valued, safe, and connected. You’ll hear how today’s workforce is redefining “fit” and demanding alignment, authenticity, and shared purpose.

Whether you’re a people leader, HR practitioner, or change agent within your team, you’ll walk away with tools and reflections to co-create workplace culture with your people — not just for them.

We’ll end with guided journaling and prompts to help connect the day’s themes to your own role and next steps, along with time for dialogue and shared learning.

Presented by:

Enlightened Solutions

Bethany Studenic
Chinenye Nkemere