The Puzzle: Blog

On the first day of FORUM/DEIB, before the flurry of interviews begins, all attendees — school representatives, CS&A candidates, and our own staff — gather together as a keynote speaker takes the stage to kick off the two days ahead.

This is an important time, as it sets the tone for the critical interactions and experiences that are about to start.

It reminds everyone in the room why we choose to dedicate ourselves to education. It emphasizes the responsibility that is resting on us to create and nurture inclusive and welcoming communities. And it lights a fire to bring that responsibility into our classrooms, curriculums, board rooms, hiring practices, and beyond.

The theme of our 2023 FORUM/DEIB is “The Power of Belonging.” To speak to this theme, we have invited the incredible Michael Tennant to be our keynote speaker.

About Michael

Michael is a movement builder, writer, and son of Jamaican parents, dedicated to spreading tools of empathy and helping people live their purpose. He’s a member of BMe Community, the Starts With Us movement, and has most recently been invited to join the USC Maynard 200 Fellowship for diversity in journalism.

Before launching Curiosity Lab, Tennant spent 15 years becoming a media, advertising, and nonprofit executive, delivering award-winning marketing strategies for companies like MTV, VICE, P&G, Coca-Cola, sweetgreen, and Oatly.

Tennant founded Curiosity Lab in 2017 to offer a radically humanistic and purpose-driven alternative in the advertising category, enabled by thoughtful business diversification and exemplified by progressively inclusive hiring practices.

Inspired by the struggles he faced finding advocates who looked like him and cared to mentor him in the corporate world, Tennant has turned this entrepreneurial momentum into sustained work supporting BIPOC communities through speaking, writing, leadership, mentorship, consulting, partnerships, and talent-pipeline programs.

At the end of the day, everything Michael does comes back to his values and purpose, and his lived journey through trauma, healing, and love, finding new powerful ways to make finding purpose and spreading empathy accessible to all.

Join Us in Philadelphia

Our 2023 event is going to be one not to miss. After hosting FORUM/DEIB virtually in 2021 and 2022, being back in-person — with stronger connections, deeper conversations, and more impactful networking — is more important than ever.

Held on January 27 and 28 in Philadelphia, FORUM/DEIB is a hiring conference and a professional development symposium for members of, allies of, and those who are learning how to better support underserved communities. All CS&A candidates are welcome to attend for free. Register today in CandidateConnect.

Not a candidate with CS&A? Contact us now to get started and to gain access to register for FORUM/DEIB.

Back to Blog

0 Comments

There are no comments on this blog entry.