Dedriell Taylor, Ed.D.
Dedriell Taylor, Ed.D. serves as the inaugural Chief Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Officer at West Virginia Wesleyan College. Dr. Taylor has a 15-year tenure in
purpose:
The primary purpose of the Summit is to discuss race in a comprehensive, collaborative, and compassionate manner designed to build the Beloved Community in West Virginia.
The 2020 Summit on Race Matters in West Virginia is a reboot of a similar event held in 2014. The majority of members of the 2020 Summit Planning Committee also planned the 2014 event, which was supported financially by The Greater Kanawha Valley Foundation (TGKVF) and other partners. For the 2020 event, the Summit Planning Committee recommended all featured speakers and panelists. While the Summit seeks to represent various viewpoints, financial constraints and the necessity for virtual delivery have limited the number of viewpoints able to be discussed. All Summit discussions are guided by questions submitted by community members upon registration. The views expressed by Summit speakers and panelists do not necessarily represent the views of TGKVF’s Board of Trustees, donors, or staff. By hosting the Summit, the Foundation is operating in its role as a community convener and facilitating conversations–as it often does–on a variety of topics.
Desired outcomes
Strengthen
Strengthen the skills of individual agents of change working to build communities that serve everyone.
Serve
Serve as an incubator for increased collaborative leadership in building these communities.
Raise
Raise awareness of the systemic inequalities faced by Black West Virginians.
Develop
Develop an agenda of thoughtful and visionary policies and practices that empower Black West Virginians.
Why convene a Summit on Race Matters?
While all West Virginians are integral to moving the state forward, Black West Virginians face systemic barriers that impede their full participation in this important work. These barriers need to be addressed in a meaningful, sustainable, and transformational way so that all West Virginians can participate in the West Virginia Renaissance.
Planning
Group
Planning
Group
The Greater Kanawha Valley Foundation
Partnership of African American Churches
West Virginia Center on Budget & Policy
American Friends Service Committee
Speakers
Joe Tackett
A product of public school music programs, Joe has spent his life making and introducing music to audiences around the country. He previously served as
Dr. Angie Settle
Dr. Angie Settle, DNP, APRN, BC, FNP, is the CEO of West Virginia Health Right, Inc., the state’s oldest and largest free and charitable clinic
Drew McClanahan
Drew McClanahan serves as the Director of the Office of Leadership Support for the West Virginia Department of Education. Prior to this role Drew served
Srini Matam
President Toyota Motor Manufacturing West Virginia, Inc. (TMMWV) Buffalo, West Virginia Srini Matam is President of Toyota Motor Manufacturing West Virginia, Inc. (TMMWV) located in
Chief James “Tyke” Hunt
Chief James “Tyke” Hunt is a Charleston native that joined the Charleston Police Department in 2004. He grew up on the West Side of Charleston, on
Tom Heywood
Tom Heywood is the Managing Partner of Bowles Rice, acting as the firm’s CEO. His responsibilities include leadership, management and administration of the firm. Tom
Christy L. Elliott
Christy L. Elliott serves as Market President for the Charleston/Parkersburg/Corridor G markets of BB&T, now Truist. She manages the market franchise and is responsible for
Katherine L. Dooley
Attorney-at-Law Katherine L. “Kitty” Dooley has been a practicing attorney for more than twenty-nine years. She is the principal of The Dooley Law Firm, P.L.L.C.
Ellen Cappellanti
Ellen Cappellanti is Jackson Kelly’s Managing Member, having dedicated her professional life to Jackson Kelly and to the West Virginia community. After more than 35
Chris T. Beam
President and Chief Operating Officer Appalachian Power Chris Beam is president and chief operating officer of Appalachian Power, serving 1 million customers in West Virginia,
Felicia Bush, MA, MSW, LGSW
Felicia Bush, MA, MSW, LGSW is the founder and CEO of Harmony Mental Health, Inc., a private non-profit mental health, and social services agency serving
Craig Glover, MBA, MA, FACHE, CMPE
Craig Glover serves as president and chief executive officer of FamilyCare Health Centers, a West Virginia community health center that provides medical, dental, behavioral health
Rev. Ron English
Rev. Ronald English was licensed and ordained under into the ministry by Drs. Martin Luther King Jr. and Sr. at Ebenezer Baptist Church in Atlanta,
Kristi Williams Dumas
Kristi is a native of California and transplant to West Virginia. She and her family have reached the decade mark of living in the mountain
Shayla Leftridge
Shayla Leftridge is the Director of Community Outreach, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion at West Virginia Health Right. She was born and raised in Oakland, CA.