Pamplin College of Business hosts 11th annual spring inclusion dinner

The Pamplin College of Business Office for Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging (DEIB) hosted its annual spring inclusion dinner at which corporate partners joined students to celebrate a commitment to fostering diversity and inclusion within the business community. 

Attendees heard keynote speaker Ken Bouyer, the Americas diversity, equity, and inclusion recruiting leader for Ernst & Young (EY), relate how he – as a Black man – suffered from imposter syndrome at the Fortune 100 accounting firm before discovering the transformative power of “showing up as me.” 

“You need to have confidence in your abilities, and you need to show up in a room no matter what room it is and be proud of who you are and where you came from. Period,” he said.

The event – now in its 11th year – recognizes Pamplin’s corporate partners who have enhanced access to employment opportunities and promoted professional development for diverse communities within the college. Representatives from leading companies included: EY, Accenture, Target, CGI, Bank of America, RSM, Johnson Brothers, SEO USA, Deloitte, PwC, Pamplin Career Services, Cherry Bekaert, and NetApp. 

“I was a first-generation African American college student and my passion, commitment, and goal is to ensure that others coming behind me don’t have to have the same imposter syndrome feeling that is often talked about,” said Bouyer. 

“The more folks you have around the table with different points of view and perspectives, the bigger opportunity for greater innovation. Students need to have a global mindset and cultural competency to ensure that whatever seat they have at the table, they are truly inclusive and create equity for others," he said.

“There are three things to keep equity, inclusion, and belonging alive and well for the future. The first is not to remain silent when it comes to this work. The next would be to use and leverage social media for good to amplify the importance of this work. And the third is to be an ally to others who may be struggling.

“Lift others as you climb.”

The event facilitated meaningful connections between students and industry leaders, fostering mentorship opportunities and opening doors for future career prospects as well as underscoring Pamplin's dedication to equipping students with the tools and resources needed to succeed in the dynamic world of business. Furthermore, the Spring Inclusion Dinner is one of many initiatives that highlight the ongoing commitment of Pamplin’s DEIB efforts and outcomes, as highlighted in the 2022-2023 Impact Report.

Emily McCorkle, director of student success for the Pamplin College of Business, thanked the corporate partners, alumni, and students for their active participation and engagement. She emphasized the importance of collaboration and mentorship in preparing the next generation of business leaders to thrive in an increasingly diverse and globalized world.

Written by A’me Dalton