The appointment is a one-year term for the nation’s largest financial service industry organization DETROIT- (October 21, 2025) – First Independence Bank and its board of directors proudly announce that Chairman and CEO, Kenneth Kelly, has been elected as 2025- 2026 Chairman of the American Bankers Association. The installation ceremony took place during the American…
The Equity Exchange
Detroit HBCU Pathways Report: Roadmap for Student Success and Talent Return
Landmark Detroit HBCU Pathways Report Unveils Road Map to Boost Student Success and Attract Talent Back Home DETROIT, MI – A new, comprehensive report released today by Woods & Watts Effect (W&WE), and funded by The Kresge Foundation, delivers a crucial road map for strengthening the pipeline of Detroit students attending Historically Black Colleges and…
Rhonda Walker Foundation Hosts 22nd Annual Back-to-School Success Sessions to Empower Detroit Girls and Families
Detroit, MI (September 13, 2025) On Saturday, September 13, 2025, the Rhonda Walker Foundation (RWF) will host its highly anticipated 22nd Annual Back to School Success Sessions at MacDowell Preparatory Academy, 4201 W. Outer Dr., from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. The event brings together over 100 RWF girls in 4th -12th grades and their…
How Adrianne C. Smith Turned Inclusion Into a Global Power Play with ‘Inkwell Beach’ in Cannes, France
Adrianne C. Smith isn’t simply leading the conversation on diversity—she’s reshaping the framework. As Senior Vice President and Chief Inclusion and Impact Officer at FleishmanHillard, and founder of the Cannes Can: Diversity Collective (CC:DC), Smith has transformed words like “equity” and “access” from corporate jargon into cultural imperatives. With more than two decades of experience,…
Detroit Mayoral Candidate Mary Sheffield Has A Bold Vision For The City’s Future
Mary Sheffield, the current President of Detroit’s City Council, has already made history as the youngest person ever elected to the council and its first female president. Now, she is setting her sights on another historic milestone—becoming Detroit’s first Black female mayor. Sheffield’s campaign is centered on inclusive economic growth, housing reform, and ensuring that…
Black Women Need To Be In Switzerland during ‘The World Economic Forum’
The World Economic Forum (WEF), held each year in Davos, Switzerland, from January 20–25, brings together leaders from business, government, and society to tackle global challenges. Once dominated by elites, WEF is now opening up to diverse voices. For Black women, it’s more than just being included—it’s about transforming the conversation to ensure true equity…
Adrianne C. Smith’s Bold Vision is Revolutionizing DEI in Global Spaces including the 2025 World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland
Press Play above to watch the interview in its entirety. Adrianne C. Smith is redefining what it means to champion diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) on a global stage. As the founder of the Can: Diversity Collective (C:DC) and Chief Diversity and Inclusion Officer at FleishmanHillard, Smith is on a mission to transform global spaces…