About the DFKDC Equality Summit

DFKDC wants to be on the forefront of change and equality empowerment. This is a commitment we make to our families through our mission and programming. With a diverse population that includes 36% African American, 8% Asian American, and 1% Middle Eastern—it is pivotal for DFKDC to advocate for their families and promote disability awareness. The annual Equality Summit will focus on one important topic that our society is facing each year and bring together thought leaders, speakers, and our own DFKDC participants to share their experiences, learn from each other, and most importantly – discuss how we can support change. DFKDC’s commitment is to select youth with disabilities (our participants) during each yearly summit and work with them to create the following year’s equality summit.

Over August 29th weekend, we will be organizing 3 FREE one-hour virtual panels that we invite our DFKDC families and volunteers, youth with disabilities, families of all backgrounds, and all individuals across the nation to join. We are excited to have the support of experts from different fields to educate us on ways we can teach, advocate, and promote equality within our communities and world. You can register for 1, 2, or all 3 sessions. If you have any questions, please email Glenda at gfu@dreamsforkids.org

FOR A TUTORIAL ON HOW TO USE ZOOM WEBINARS, please visit: https://support.zoom.us/hc/en-us/articles/115004954946-Joining-and-participating-in-a-webinar-attendee-

Guest Speakers And Topics

1) How To Advocate for Disabled Families of Color: Saturday, August 29th from 10:30 - 11:30AM EST (7:30 - 8:30AM PST)

• Diane Chesley: Former President of Learning Disability Association
• Maria Davis-Pierre, LMHC: Founder of Autism in Black
• Rhonda White: Family and Community Engagement Liaison for DC Quality Trust
• Sara Lovestyle: Social Media Influencer and Advocate
• Intermission: Musician Elizaveta Khripounova (all the way from Japan!)
• DFKDC Participant Moderator: Elias Hernandez

2) Talking With Youth/Children About Race: Saturday, August 29th from 2:30 - 3:30PM EST (11:30AM - 12:30PM PST)

• Dr. Jacqueline Dougé, MD, MPH, FAAP: Former Medical Director, Bureau of Health Services, Howard County Health Department
• Ashley Boalch Darby: Real Housewife of Potomac on BravoTV
• Cyana Riley: Author of “Not So Different”
• Intermission: Music Producer Dame Drummer
• DFKDC Participant Moderator: Faith McLuckie

3) Diversity in Every Day Virtual Life: Sunday, August 30th from 2:30 - 3:30PM EST (11:30AM - 12:30PM PST)

• Karith Foster: American comedian, speaker, television and radio personality, actress, author, and entrepreneur
• Jocelyn Hunter: Senior Director of Communications at Columbia Lighthouse For The Blind
• Abigail Dudley: Assistant Principal of Monomoy Middle School.
• Leslie Miley: former engineering manager at Twitter and former director of engineering at Slack
• Intermission: Musician Jhennylyn Rivera
• DFKDC Participant Moderator: Michael Rivera