Are you looking for impactful ways to amplify underrepresented voices? Or the best way to illuminate diversity through communications?  It’s imperative for organizations to be intentional in building a culture of diversity, inclusion, equity, and belonging. Join us for an engaging conversation between Dr. Morgan Jones and Melissa Vela-Williamson, APR, and PRSA San Antonio VP of Social Responsibility that will explore the fundamentals of DEI&B and best practices to implement in your communications. 

In her seventh year with Spurs Sports & Entertainment, Morgan Jones, PhD, oversees SS&E’s equity and justice efforts. She designs the strategy across all franchises which focuses on ensuring the organization continues to be diverse, inclusive, equitable, and a safe space for belonging. Jones is a thought leader and consults with stakeholders on the best way to celebrate all walks of life, amplify underrepresented voices, and intentionally invest in employees and the community. 

Building on a career in diversity and inclusion and leadership, Dr. Jones recently earned a doctorate in education and human resource development at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Her work focuses on evaluating the impacts of diversity and inclusion training on organizational culture. 

Melissa Vela-Williamson, APR is an internationally-recognized and accredited award-winning public relations expert and national columnist with almost two decades of general market and multicultural integrated marketing communications experience in agency, corporate and nonprofit settings.

Today, she serves clients as the Chief Communication Architect of her own boutique firm, MVW Communications. Melissa is a 360° integrated marketing communicator but has expertise and accreditation in public relations. As a unique attribute, Melissa has worked in internal communications and diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) for a corporation during her career. She is one of only 5,000 PR professionals around the world with the “APR” distinction and recently earned her accreditation as a Certified Diversity Professional. Her inclusive PR point of view influences any communication challenge she tackles. 

Please arrive early. Food service will begin at 11:45 a.m. with the program starting promptly at 12 p.m. No refunds.