Now in its twelfth year, the Young Professionals of Color Conference, or YPCC, creates a space to gather and engage with peers and leaders in the Grand Rapids community.
“The conference itself encompasses fresh and innovative sessions that engage young professionals and offer career-changing and inspirational-type business advice.”
Lisa Marie Barkel is Chair of the YPCC. She says this year’s theme is “Building Belonging: Advocating for an Inclusive Workplace.”
“We’re big on making sure that people as they attend the conference walk away with a feeling of, ‘I can do this. It’s going to help me change my career. It’s going to help me build my life. I’m going to be able to make a journey-like path with what I’ve learned today and take these skills and put them into my daily living.’”
This year’s keynote speaker is Chief Inclusion, Equity, Diversity and Sustainability Officer for Corewell Health, Carlos Cubia.
“And he does a really good job of explaining that piece of belonging and how to feel that belonging within a workplace.”
The YPCC happens Wednesday, October 16th, and tickets are $75, but scholarships are available. More information can be found online at YPCCGR.com
