GO TOPEKA ANNOUNCES EXCITING LINEUP OF SEPTEMBER EVENTS HONORING MINORITY AND WOMEN BUSINESSES
TOPEKA, KANSAS – Sept 09, 2022 – GO Topeka announced today the lineup for a series of September events celebrating the area’s minority and women-owned businesses. The month will feature multiple events, beginning with MED Week, the first annual celebration created to honor the accomplishments of minority and women-owned businesses in Topeka and Shawnee County. MED Week will feature activities throughout the week Sept. 18-23, including the 2022 Fall Women’s Forum, a business pitch contest, after-hours business receptions, awards recognition and more.
“I am excited about this year’s MED Week,” said Glenda Washington, chief equity and opportunity officer for the Greater Topeka Partnership. “MED Week is a national tradition that dates to 1982. We are proud to bring this experience to Topeka for the first time. Highlights from the week include an exciting new pitch contest where aspiring startups could receive up to $15,000 to bring their business to life!”
Minority startups interested in participating in the pitch contest may register here.
Women are encouraged to come out during MED Week for the 2022 Fall Women’s Forum, being held Sept. 22 at The Brownstone. This year’s event will feature “The Health Hippie” Chris Omni, who will invite attendees to relax and meditate as they “vis-YOU-lize” the possibilities they want to manifest for their futures.
The September celebrations will conclude on Tuesday, Sept. 27 with the GTP’s 2022 Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Summit. This day-long event at Prairie Band Casino and Resort will be held from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. and will feature national speakers, a panel discussion, and two breakout sessions.
Kicking off the day will be Kenston Henderson, Sr., a world-renowned inspirational speaker whose work focuses on unconscious bias and leadership development as they relate to diversity, equity and inclusion. Praising GO Topeka’s efforts to bring the community together for the 2022 DEI Summit, Henderson said, “If you’re creating and cultivating racial equity in the workplace or community alone, you’re doing it all wrong.”
“I am honored to be a featured speaker at this year’s Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Summit,” said Christopher David Szamosszegi, president and co-founder of Mindi Walters Skincare, as well as his namesake line Szamosszegi Skincare. “I am a proud member of the Citizen Potawatomi Nation, with roots in Topeka. I am also a proud LGBTQ+ business owner. I look forward to sharing the lessons I have learned as I’ve built my company, and how the road to professional success, especially for minority professionals, begins with believing in yourself and embracing who you are and your self-worth.”
“GO Topeka has worked hard to bring multiple opportunities together this month that will educate, inspire, and hopefully cultivate new networks for our minority and women entrepreneurs and professionals,” Washington continued. “We have made sure that there is something for everyone. There will be both ticketed events and experiences that are free and open to the public. We want to make sure everyone has an opportunity to experience something meaningful this month.”
MED Week Events:
For a full itinerary of MED Week events, visit GoTopeka.com/medweek.
2022 DEI Summit Keynote Speakers Include:
Kenston Henderson Sr., CEO of Live with Lyfe LLC, a talent-development company. He is an ICN leadership award recipient. Kenston authored two books “Winning Conversations: How to Communicate Successfully and Courageously about Race” and “Parenting Like a Boss: Intentionally Committed.” In 2022, he created the online course “Cultural Transformation in the Workplace: The 7 Keys to Create and Cultivate Racial Equity.”
Christopher David Szamosszegi, president and co-founder of Mindi Walters Skincare and Szamosszegi Skincare. Christopher David is a Citizen Potawatomi Nation tribe member and proud LGBTQ+ business owner. Christopher brought his expertise to create the celebrity favorite brand Mindi Walters Skincare, where he developed products beloved by some of the most well-known celebrities in the world.
2022 Women’s Forum Speaker:
Chris Omni – founder of thehealthhippie.com. Chris is an accomplished wellness professional and speaker specializing in community mobilization, time management, effective leadership and personal training.
About GO Topeka
GO Topeka creates economic growth opportunities that contribute to a thriving business climate and fulfilling lifestyle in Topeka and Shawnee County. GO Topeka, the leading economic development agency in the region, operates under the Greater Topeka Partnership. For more, visit GoTopeka.com.
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If you would like more information about this topic, please contact Bob Ross at 785.234.2644 or Bob.Ross@TopekaPartnership.com.
