Save the date!
43rd Annual WCTF Career Conference
Friday, March 7, 2025, 8am - 4pm
Rackham Auditorium & Michigan League
Join us for the 43rd annual Women of Color Task Force (WCTF) Career Conference, a premier professional development event celebrating over 40 years of fostering inclusion, belonging, and growth within the U-M community.
This year’s Keynote Speaker, Felecia Hatcher, will inspire attendees with her address, focusing on how women of color can step into their power, overcome limiting beliefs, and embrace their unique identities. The keynote lecture will take place from 8:30–10:00 AM in Rackham Auditorium.
Theme: Strength in Intersectionality: Women of Color Harnessing Our Lived Experiences for Collective Growth
This year’s conference also includes exciting new programming, such as our Savvy Sister Talks TED-style presentations featuring the insights of UM’s Dr. Shalanda Baker and TIAA’s Shar Banks. Additionally, we offer 16 top-notch workshops designed to meet our campus community’s diverse needs and interests. Highlights include:
- The Power of Positive Self-Talk – with Miss North America
- Positive Impact: Giving and Receiving Feedback Effectively
- Maximizing Your 3 Currencies: Time, Energy, and Money
- Getting on Track: Understanding Your Investment Options for Retirement
- What’s in Your Personal Safety Toolkit
Mark your calendar and stay tuned for more details about registration and programming. This is a day you won’t want to miss!
Interested in being a sponsor or vendor? Contact us at wctf-faqs@umich.edu for more information.
Career Conference Archives
2025
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Strength in Intersectionality: Women of Color Harnessing Our Lived Experiences for Collective Growth
2024
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Centering the Voice of Women of Color: Navigating the Digital Age and Cultural Change
Tia White, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning Pioneer
2023
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Grow. Advance. Succeed. (GAS): Refuel Your Career
Ritu Bhasin, Award-Winning Speaker and Author
Click the links below to view recordings of the keynotes and some of the workshops:
- Opening remarks
- Let’s Talk About Checks Baby: Managing Your Money So It Doesn’t Manage You
- Salary Negotiations: How to Create a Winning Pitch as a Woman of Color
- Influence, Inspire, Impact: Reaching Beyond Your Title
- Wills and Trust: What Do I Need
- Inclusive Leadership on Campus and Beyond
- Self-Care Isn’t Selfish
- Leverage LinkedIn to Level Up Your Career
- Understanding and Responding to Microaggressions
- Develop Your Staff or Watch Them Go
- It’s Not about Race; But Anti-Blackness
- 5 Brilliant Elements to Power-Up Your Communication
- Positioning Yourself for the Next Opportunity
2022
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Tamika D. Mallory, Social Justice Leader and Movement Strategist
Click here to view all recordings from the 2022 conference
2021
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“Defining the New Normal: Shaping A Post-COVID, Anti-Racist Workplace”
Corie Pauling, Senior Vice President, Chief I & D Officer and Head of Corporate Social Responsibility, TIAA
The Honorable Rashida Tlaib, MI-13
Oveta Fuller, PhD, Michigan Medicine
Preeti Malani, MD, Michigan Medicine
Alfreda Rooks, MPA, Michigan Medicine
Click here to view the full interactive conference program.
Please take note of the fact that the conference program is interactive; feel free to click on bolded words, images, graphics, and ads to read and learn more.
Click here to view recordings, presentations, workbooks, and resources from the conference
Click the links below to view recordings of the keynotes and some of the workshops:
- 2021 WCTF Career Conference Keynote Thursday, March 4th (Day 1)
- 2021 WCTF Career Conference Keynote Friday, March 5th (Day 2)
- Intentional Inclusivity in Management: Lessons from Michigan Medicine’s Anti-Racism Oversight Committee
- Allyship: Journey to Accomplice in Anti-Racism Activism
- Tell It Like It Is!: Creating A Path to Your Own Success through Self-Promotion
- Take Your Professional Development to the Next Level with the U-M Development Journey and LinkedIn Learning
- MHealthy: Health & Fitness Resources @ U-M
- Intentional Inclusivity in Management – Fostering Diversity and Inclusion | The Inclusive-Leader Mindset
2020
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Women on a Mission 2.0: Leadership, Citizenship & Advocacy (38th)
Dr. Joy DeGruy, nationally & internationally renowned researcher, educator, author, & presenter
Dr. Julianne Malveaux, economist, author, social and political commentator, & businesswoman
Dr. Patricia Coleman-Burns, U-M Assistant Professor Emerita of Nursing & DAAS
2019
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Amplifying Voices: Moving from Diversity to Inclusion (37th)
Cynthia H. Bowman, Chief Diversity & Inclusion Officer of Bank of America
Dilip Das, Assistant Vice Provost for Academic Affairs
Laurita Thomas, Associate Vice President for Human Resources
Facilitated by Taryn Petryk, Director of Diversity & Inclusion at Ross School of Business
2018
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Equity for All: Reclaiming Our Time (36th)
April Ryan, American Urban Radio Networks D.C. Bureau Chief
Click here to view the 2018 WCTF Keynote Address with April D. Ryan
2017
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U-M Staff: The Heart of Maize & Blue (35th)
Jane Elliott, Anti-racism Activist & Educator &
Roland S. Martin, Host & Managing Editor of News One Now “Race, Gender & Identity in the Workplace”
2016
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Diversity, Equity & Inclusion: A Staff Perspective (34th)
Dr. Ruth J. Simmons, “The Dilemma of Inclusivity: How Can We Make It Work?”
2015
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Tools for the Journey: Self-Awareness, Confidence & Respect (33rd)
Mr. Alfred (Al) Squire, Director of the Greenville Health System MedEx Academy
2014
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Transforming the Face of Leadership (32nd)
Dr. Mae Jemison, former NASA astronaut
2013
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Planning + Action + Perseverance = Success! (31st)
Ms. Donna Brazile, Political Strategist and Georgetown University Professor
2012
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30 Years of Legacy, Leadership and Change (30th)
Dr. Johnnetta B Cole, National Museum of African Art
2011
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YOU First: Balancing Work, Family & Life (29th)
Rep. Shanelle Jackson, Michigan (D-Michigan)
Summer 2011 – U-M Staff Mentoring & Coaching for Diversity Conference
Dr. Howard G. Adams, Keynote Speaker
2010
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Excel in Uncertain Times: Identify Resources & Maximize Opportunities (28th)
Ms. Gail Perry-Mason, Vice President – Oppenheimer & Co, Inc.
2009
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Enhance U: Education, Empowerment & Equity (27th)
Dr. Howard G. Adams, President – H. G. Adams and Associates, Inc.
Founding Director, GEM National Institute on Mentoring
2008
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Work, Lead & Succeed In A Global Economy (26th)
Dr. Kenya Ayers, Executive Director of Esperanza Communications and past State Chairperson, Michigan ACE Network
2007
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25 Years of Promoting Leadership & Diversity (25th)
Dr. Mary Frances Berry, University of Pennsylvania & Former Chair, US Commission on Civil Rights
2006
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Healthy Person, Healthy Society (24th)
Mr. Pete Thomas, NBC’s “The Biggest Loser” (Motivational Speaker)
2005
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Inclusion and Opportunity: Recognizing Everyone’s Contribution (23rd)
Dr. Toni Hoover, Vice President – Pfizer GRD, Ann Arbor Campus
2004
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Finding Your Path: Developing the Excellence Within (22nd)
Ms. Beverly Jenkins, Author (Fiction)
2003
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One University, One Community, One Destiny: Staff and the University’s Mission (21st)
President Mary Sue Coleman, University of Michigan
Ms. Sue Guevara, UM Women’s Basketball Coach
2002
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Women on a Mission: 20 Years of Excellence (20th)
Chief Benny Napoleon, Detroit Police Department
2001
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Not Without A Struggle: Honoring our Past, Taking Control of Our Future (19th)
Rev. Shaheerah Stephens, Author and Community Activist
2000
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The Celebration of a New Era, New Opportunities and a New You (18th)
Dr. Bertice Berry, Social Activist and National Talk Show Host
1999
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Ready, Set, Go TEAM! (17th)
Ms. Laurita Thomas, CHRO – UM Health System
1998
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Reforging Our Lives into the New Millennium (16th)
Ms. Vanna Novak, Motivational Speaker
1997
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Looking Back, Moving Forward: 15 Years with the Women of Color Task Force (15th)
Ms. Thelma Wells, Christian TV Personality (Dallas, TX)
1996
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Building and Creating Opportunities for Growth (14th)
Ms. Patricia Russell-McCloud, Federal Communications Commission
1995
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Success: Beginning with the End in Mind (13th)
Dr. Benjamin Carson, Cardiologist and UMMS Graduate
1994
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Developing a Plan for Excellence (12th)
Dr. Elizabeth Allen, R.N.
1993
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Globally Pulling Our Cultures Together: Positioning Ourselves to Empower, Impact and Excel (11th)
Ms. Helen Zia, MS Magazine
Ms. Sonia Sanchez, Activist
1992
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Ten Years In Retrospect: Commemorating Our Past, Securing Our Future (10th)
Ms. Valerie J. Johnson, Director of Native American Services
Ms. Susan L. Taylor, Editor in chief of ESSENCE Magazine
1991
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See Beyond Today: Inspiring a Vision to Enhance the Quality of Life (9th)
Dr. Gwendolyn Calvert Baker, Director – YWCA of USA and President of NYC Board of Education
Dr. Howard McCurdy, Microbiologist
1990
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Progressing Towards Plurality: The Challenge of the 90s (8th)
1989
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Shades of Quality: Emerging, Excelling, Empowering (7th)
A. Deer
1988
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Imagine What We Can Be: Challenge, Create, Celebrate (6th)
Dr. R. Griffin
1987
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Working Constructively Toward the Future: If You Think You Can, You Can (5th)
Ms. M. Susan Watson, Detroit Free Press Columnist
Ms. Laura Rendon, Assistant Professor of Education at the University of South Carolina
1986
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Focus On: Effectiveness, Productivity, and Professionalism (4th)
The Honorable Cynthia D. Stephens, Wayne County Circuit Court Judge
Ms. Rose Martin, Director of the Peace Neighborhood Center
1985
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Women of Color: Striving for Excellence (3rd)
Ms. Carman Harlan, WDIV news personality
Dr. Mildred Tirado, UM Counseling Services Center
1984
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Survival, Career Development and Networking (2nd)
Ms. Jennie Partee, WCTF Founder
Ms. Beulah Sanders, WCTF Founder
1983
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Survival, Career Development and Networking (1st)
Dr. Bernadine Denning