Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. CelebrationMonday, January 15, 2024
The annual Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration emphasizes the continuing struggle for civil rights in the United States and around the world. This year, Gustavus is delighted to present remarks by Karith Foster founder of Inversity.
MLK Memorial Celebration from 10-11:20 a.m. CST
Christ Chapel
Cultivating a Culture of Inclusivity: The Inversity Solution
This engaging keynote by Karith Foster incorporates the soul and message of the late great Dr. King. By encompassing his passion for authentic communication and acceptance of all Karith takes us on a journey that honors, recognizes and celebrates our uniqueness and individuality, and illuminates how we have the power and ability to achieve the dream and mission Dr. King wished for us all.
For over a decade, Karith Foster has given presentations and training at top companies like Estée Lauder Companies, Berkshire Hathaway companies, Bristol-Myers Squibb, and top law firms like Fenwick & West. She has spoken at academic institutions including Harvard University, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Brown University and Emerson University. Her expertise is also sought after by industry associations like SHRM, CTIA, the US Chamber of Commerce, and the US Institute for Legal Reform. Karith has also shared a stage with Brené Brown at SHRM's 2019 national conference, emceed SHRM's 2022 conference, introducing Arianna Huffington and former President George W. Bush, and has been a repeat lecturer at Stanford Graduate School of Business for nine years.
Before founding INVERSITY's groundbreaking diversity and belonging programs, Karith worked in Human Resources at Estée Lauder's corporate headquarters for a decade after a career in broadcast journalism at ABC’s The View. Notably, Karith co-hosted MSNBC’s Imus in the Morning nationally syndicated show, was featured in two hit documentary films, and her TEDx talk "The Art of Defying Stereotypes," received accolades in The Washington Post and TIME Magazine. Her 25-year passion for stand-up comedy led to TV and radio appearances on Oprah, The Today Show, and Comedy Central. Karith is an alumna of Stephens College and Oxford University.
As a speaker, humorist, diversity expert and bestselling author of You Can Be Perfect or You Can Be Happy, Karith creates seismic shifts in DEIB through INVERSITY's methodology. Her blend of wisdom and humor inspires audiences to commit to inclusion and belonging. As CEO of INVERSITY Solutions and founder of non-profit F.R.A.M.E., Karith leverages her background in media, HR and comedy to transform challenging conversations into opportunities for growth, embracing her motto: "If you can laugh at it, you can get through it" – an invaluable lesson she seeks to instill in others.
This event is sponsored by the Peace, Justice, and Conflict Studies Department, the Office of the Chaplains, the Center for Inclusive Excellence, and the President's Office.
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