BBI Chairman Peter Blanck to Address Reed Smith’s Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Summit

Dr. Peter Blanck, chairman of the Burton Blatt Institute at Syracuse University, presented at Reed Smith’s Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Summit his recent ground-breaking research regarding the lack of disability diversity in the legal profession. In a recent study commissioned by the ABA to focus on non-visible identities in law, he and his co-authors found that while a quarter of respondents said they had a health condition, impairment, or disability, only a third of those respondents identified as disabled.

Recordings are now available for all sessions. We invite you to listen again or pass along to colleagues and friends! [podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/inclusivity-included-powerful-personal-stories/id1500990232]

Dr. Blanck’s address will honor October’s National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM) and the 30th Anniversary of the ADA. He will discuss BBI’s newly funded national Rehabilitation Research and Training Center (RRTC) on Disability Inclusive Employment Policy (DIEP), and leading efforts at the Southeast ADA Center.

Reed Smith will kick off its Global Diversity Awareness month in October with its annual Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Summit. This year’s virtual event will focus on racial justice and intersectionality.
Date/Time: October 1, 2020, 11:00 AM – 3:30 PM EDT
Featuring Feminista Jones, Intersectionality Expert, Author & Award-Winning Blogger, as our keynote presenter.

Speakers: John Iino Alexander Y. Thomas M. Tamara Box Peter M. Ellis

Our opening panel, “How Major Organizations are Leading Change in Racial Equity, features special guest speakers:

  • Sophie Chandauka, Global COO Shared Services and Banking Operations at Morgan Stanley
  • Kamau Coar, General Counsel at Heidrick & Struggles
  • Peter Ellis, Reed Smith Senior Management Team – Chair of Litigation
  • Lauren Leahy, Chief Legal Officer at Pizza Hut
  • Cathy Tang, Chief Legal Officer at Krispy Kreme Doughnut Corporation

We’ll also delve into some of the difficult topics faced by individuals and businesses alike in our breakout sessions, covering issues such as:

  • Disrupting racism: From performative allyship to anti-racism
  • Creating a culture inclusive of mixed-visible and non-visible diversity
  • Leveraging employee resource groups to build power through collaboration
  • Strategies for overcoming impostor syndrome
  • Lasting impacts of the pandemic on persons with disabilities
  • Understanding the intersection of race and class

About BBI

The Burton Blatt Institute (BBI) at Syracuse University reaches around the globe in its efforts to advance the civic, economic and social participation of people with disabilities. Through program development, research and public policy guidance, BBI advances the full inclusion of people with disabilities. BBI builds on the legacy of Burton Blatt, a pioneering disability rights scholar. BBI has offices in Syracuse; Washington, D.C.; Atlanta; New York City; and Lexington, Kentucky. Learn more at bbi.syr.edu.