Speaker Reel - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ckevQD0QC4A

Gravity Speakers Profile -

• https://www.gravityspeakers.com/speakers/courtney-caldwell
• https://www.gravityspeakers.com/speakers/tye-caldwell

Speaker Website - https://bookthecaldwells.com/

‍

Why Dr. Tye & Courtney Caldwell Are a Fit for Cisco BHM 2026

• Offer a multi-generational, multi-dimensional story that literally threads Black history (Garrett Morgan) into today’s innovation economy.
• Align strongly with “Ignite Your Intelligence” by showcasing entrepreneurial, creative, and wellness intelligence as key leadership assets.
• Bring an uplifting, joyful energy that still sits on a deep foundation of history, resilience, and disciplined work.

‍

Suggested Topic‍

From Survival to Sovereignty: The Entrepreneurial Spirit of Black America

Featuring the Legacy of Garrett A. Morgan Sr.

Overview:‍

‍This talk explores how Black ingenuity has fueled American innovation—from early entrepreneurs and inventors to today’s tech founders, creatives, and corporate leaders. As the great-great-great grandniece of Garrett Augustus Morgan Sr.—the American inventor, businessman, and community leader who created the stoplight, the gas mask, and pioneering haircare products—Courtney Caldwell carries forward a family legacy of invention, resilience, and purpose.

Together, Courtney and Dr. Tye Caldwell trace how creativity born from necessity has always been at the heart of Black entrepreneurship. From navigating systemic barriers to redefining industries, the Caldwells illuminate how the spirit of innovation has transformed communities, built generational wealth, and continues to inspire modern leadership.

Key Takeaways:

• Trace the lineage of innovation from early Black inventors to modern founders and change-makers.
• Learn how adversity cultivates adaptability, creativity, and entrepreneurial foresight.
• Explore how cultural ingenuity drives inclusion, leadership, and business growth.

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Health Is the New Hustle: Reclaiming Wellness as a Leadership Legacy

Grounded in Grit, Discipline, and Family

Overview:

‍Black leaders have long carried the dual weight of excellence and endurance. Before leading in boardrooms, the Caldwells learned discipline on the track and the football field. Courtney—a former sprinter and long jumper—and Dr. Tye—a former football player—bring a lifetime of lessons from sports, faith, and family into their message of holistic leadership. Their son, a current NFL athlete, continues that legacy of excellence and balance, proving that peak performance is as much about recovery as it is about hustle.

Drawing from the intersection of business, neuroscience, and cultural history, their talk reframes wellness as a radical act of self-preservation and leadership strength, and examines how rest, nourishment, and balance have always been quiet revolutions within Black communities—and why they’re now essential to sustainable leadership.

Blending science, storytelling, and personal insight, Courtney and Tye show how optimal health fuels optimal leadership—and how reclaiming wellness can transform both individual lives and organizational cultures.

Key Takeaways:

• Reimagine “grind culture” through the lens of recovery, resilience, and renewal.
• Learn athlete-inspired strategies for leading from wholeness, not depletion.
• Explore how wellness, mindfulness, and balance strengthen creativity, productivity, and purpose.

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Joy as Resistance: Reclaiming the Power of Celebration and Cultural Expression

A Journey from the Everyday to the Extraordinary

Overview:

Amid challenge and change, joy has always been a radical force in Black culture—a strategy for survival, a language of hope, and a bridge to community. In this deeply personal and uplifting talk, Dr. Tye and Courtney Caldwell share how their own journey—culminating in the unforgettable experience of climbing Mount Kilimanjaro and feeling pure joy at the summit—became a living metaphor for the Black journey: rising above barriers, honoring ancestors, and finding strength in joy, not just in struggle. Through science, story, and spirit, they remind audiences that joy isn’t the absence of hardship—it’s the energy that propels transformation.

Key Takeaways:

• Discover the neuroscience of joy and how it fuels connection, creativity, and resilience.
• Learn how storytelling, music, and movement preserve culture and empower leadership.
• Be inspired to cultivate joy intentionally—as a practice of resistance, renewal, and belonging.

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Highlights

• Pioneered ShearShare, serving 71,000+ small businesses in 1,000+ cities
• Among the 1% of Black Americans with US patents
• Family legacy of inventor Garrett A. Morgan Sr. (traffic light, safety hood)
• Only Texas startup to win Google Demo Day
• Courtney: Named to Inc. Female Founders 100, EY Women in Innovation, and multiple tech/innovation honors
• Dr. Tye: Best-selling author of Mentored by Failure and leader on the Professional Beauty Association’s Advisory Council

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^{"My team and I are beyond happy that we chose Courtney as our speaker for our Black HERstory month event! From the second we jumped onto our pre-event call, Courtney was so friendly and truly eager to help us achieve our goals. She really took the time to get to know our organization and ensure she had the impact we were looking for. On the day of, Courtney arrived early to ensure that everything was setup properly to deliver a great experience. Her content was informative, and our team truly enjoyed listening to all her stories. We received incredible feedback about our event and how grateful our team was to welcome Courtney for that time. We really appreciated Courtney’s willingness to answer all our questions, her bright and bubbly personality, her incredible insight, and the advice she left our team with at the end of our call. I would highly recommend choosing Courtney as your next speaker!" -- Jay Bloch, DEIB Program Specialist, Charthop}

^{"Honestly, she was one of the best speakers I have seen in my career. -- Her story was inspiring, engaging, relevant, and just brought so much joy to me. After hearing her talk, I took to heart some of the things she does and even took a few of them and implemented them in my daily routine. -- I had a banana for breakfast too! Anyhow, this was a fantastic speaker -- Incredible." -- Code42}‍

‍Speaker Video - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qeuq-kaxUHM&t=200s

Gravity Speakers Profile - https://www.gravityspeakers.com/speakers/madison-butler

Speaker Website - https://www.bluehairedunicorn.com/

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Why Madison Butler Is a Fit for Cisco BHM 2026

• Brings a next-generation lens to Black History Month: focusing on mental health, identity, and the future of work.
• Aligns to “Ignite Your Intelligence” by elevating emotional, cultural, and ethical intelligence as differentiators in an AI-heavy environment.
• Speaks in a contemporary, candid voice that resonates strongly with ERGs, early-career talent, and leaders open to real talk.

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Suggested Topic‍

‍The Future of Work: Centering Humanity While We Scale in the Age of AI

AI is shaping every conversation about the future of work, but amidst the hype, t’s easy to forget the most powerful differentiator isn’t the technology itself, it’s us. In this keynote, Madison Butler explores how embracing authenticity, humanity, and lived experience will determine the outcomes AI alone can’t deliver. From employee engagement to equity-driven innovation, she’ll unpack why the organizations that thrive in an AI-powered workplace will be the ones that center people, not just processes. Attendees will walk away with actionable insights on balancing technological transformation with human connection, and how authenticity is the real competitive advantage in the future of work.

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Authentic Leadership - Vulnerability First

Leaders are often expected to project confidence and certainty, but in today’s workplace, authenticity has become the defining characteristic of impactful leadership. Vulnerability is no longer a liability—it’s a strength that fosters trust, deepens relationships, and drives real connection.

Yet, many leaders hesitate to embrace vulnerability, fearing it may make them seem weak. The truth? Your authenticity is your strength. Being open and authentic makes you human, and will allow your teams to feel human too. If you want teams who feel safe, we must be willing to put down your own walls first.

This keynote will provide the insights and tools leaders need to make vulnerability and safety a cornerstone of their leadership style. By honoring their own humanity, leaders will empower themselves and their teams to tackle challenges with trust, safety and humanity.

Leave this session inspired to lead from the heart and embrace the power of who you really are, not who you think you have to be.

Key Learnings:

• Understand why vulnerability is essential for authentic leadership and long-term success.
• Learn techniques to foster trust, openness, and accountability within teams.
• Discover how to balance vulnerability with confidence to build stronger, more engaged teams.
• Gain strategies to model authenticity and create a culture where everyone feels seen, valued, and empowered.

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Highlights

• Founder, Blue Haired Unicorn (workplace strategy & culture design)
• Recognized as a LinkedIn Top Black Voice
• Featured in The New York Times, WSJ, Business Insider, Rolling Stone, and more
• Book Let Them See You (Summer 2025) focuses on authenticity as a vehicle for change
• Known for powerful, engaging virtual keynotes and conversations

‍

^{"Madi, thank you so much for speaking with the CPAWS-BC Team earlier this week. The feedback from the staff has been incredibly positive, and you talk definitely left us wanting to engage more. It was so inspirational, to-the-point, and beautifully authentic. You are gifted, indeed. Thank you for sharing your wisdom and experiences" -- Meaghen McCord, Executive Director Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society, British Columbia Chapter}

Speaker Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5CQ-otMy1Og

Gravity Speakers Profile: https://www.gravityspeakers.com/speakers/ugwem-eneyo

Speaker Website - https://www.ugwem.com/

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Why Ugwem Eneyo Is a Fit for Cisco BHM 2026

• Perfectly aligns with an Infrastructure & Security audience through energy systems, resilience, and intelligent infrastructure.
• Bridges Black environmental history and justice with the future of AI-enabled climate solutions.
• Speaks to “Ignite Your Intelligence” by showing how technical expertise, lived experience, and ethical leadership come together in high-stakes systems.

‍

Suggested Topic

^{(BHM + AI Tailored)}

‍‍AI, Climate, and Black Futures: Designing an Equitable, Intelligent Energy Transition

‍Ugwem explores how AI and intelligent systems are reshaping energy infrastructure—from virtual power plants to grid optimization—and what that means for communities historically left out of modern infrastructure. She connects the environmental and economic history of Black and African communities, including the Niger Delta, to emerging opportunities in climate tech and AI. For Cisco, she offers a framework for thinking about infrastructure, intelligence, and inclusion together: how data and AI can strengthen resilience, but only if Black engineers, founders, policymakers, and ethicists are part of the design.

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Highlights

• Founder & former CEO, Shyft Power Solutions (acquired by Steama Company)
• Board Director & Head of Product & Innovation at Steama
• Recognized in Forbes 30 Under 30 (Energy)
• Early Black female founder in climate tech to raise >$1M in VC capital
• Experienced, professional virtual speaker with strong Q&A engagement

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^{“All we hoped for and more!” - Rachel Burch, Maxeon Solar Technologies}‍

Gravity Speakers Profile: https://www.gravityspeakers.com/speakers/sheena-allen

Speaker Website: https://www.sheenaallen.com/

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Why Sheena Allen Is a Fit for Cisco BHM 2026

• Seamlessly combines Black economic history with future-facing technology and AI, aligning both event themes.
• Speaks directly to infrastructure, security, and trust—core to Cisco’s business and their internal culture.
• Brings an energetic, relatable founder story that resonates with early-career talent as well as senior leaders.

‍

Suggested Topic

From Redlined to Reimagined: Financial Inclusion, Black History, and the Future of Intelligent Finance

‍Sheena connects the history of economic exclusion in Black communities—redlining, banking deserts, and generational mistrust of institutions—with the new tools of fintech and AI. Drawing from her upbringing in Mississippi and her leadership at CapWay, she explores how technology can either repeat inequities or rewrite the rules of access. For Cisco, she highlights how data, intelligent systems, and responsible design can expand opportunity rather than reinforce bias, and why Black founders and technologists must be at the table as the next generation of financial infrastructure is built.

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Highlights

• Youngest woman in the US to own and operate a digital bank (CapWay)
• Founder of Sheena Allen Apps (millions of app downloads globally)
• Featured in Google’s Black Women in Tech, She Started It, and major outlets like Forbes and Inc.
• Honored with Forbes 30 Under 30, Inc. 30 Under 30, and PayPal’s Maggie Lena Walker Award
• Excellent fit for a moderated fireside that connects history, innovation, and AI

‍

^{“Sheena Allen was the perfect speaker to kick-off our two-day conference! Her energy, speech, and engagement really set the tone for our conference attendees.” - Matilda Johnson, The Sadie Collective}

Speaker Reel - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OO9u-ueQQgg

Gravity Speakers Profile - https://www.gravityspeakers.com/speakers/natalie-nixon

Speaker Website - https://www.figure8thinking.com/

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Why Natalie Nixon Is a Fit for Cisco BHM 2026

• Speaks directly to “Ignite Your Intelligence” through a holistic view of intelligence: not just computational, but creative and cultural.
• Honors Black history and creativity by highlighting how Black ingenuity has long been a driver of innovation and the future of work.
• Ideal for a cross-disciplinary audience (engineering, product, HR, ERGs) wanting a hopeful, actionable view of AI and human potential.

‍

Suggested Topic

‍The New I in AI: Imagination, Inquiry & Intuition as Your Competitive Edge

While your competitors rush to implement AI solutions, a sobering reality is emerging: organizations are investing millions in technology while neglecting the distinctly human capabilities that truly drive innovation. Your teams are caught in a paralyzing contradiction—frantically adopting AI tools while simultaneously fearing these same technologies will make their skills obsolete. Leadership struggles to articulate a clear vision for how humans and machines will collaborate, leaving your workforce anxious about their future and uncertain about where to focus their development.

This paradigm-shifting keynote, grounded in the Move. Think. Rest. philosophy reveals why the organizations thriving in the AI revolution aren't those with the most advanced algorithms—they're the ones systematically cultivating human capacities that machines cannot replicate: imagination, inquiry, and intuition. Through the MTR framework, discover how these uniquely human "3 I's" become your sustainable competitive advantage in an increasingly automated world.

Learn why traditional work environments actively suppress these critical capabilities and how simple MTR interventions can transform your organization's creative capacity. Through evidence-based case studies, see how intentional movement shifts perspective, deep thought cultivates imaginative possibilities, and strategic rest activates the intuitive connections that AI simply cannot make.

Renowned creativity strategist Natalie Nixon demonstrates why creativity isn't an innate talent limited to a select few but a trainable capability that thrives when properly nurtured. Gain practical strategies for all roles in your organization—from executives to frontline workers—that make these "3 I's" accessible regardless of job description or workstyle.

Walk away with a concrete implementation plan for redesigning work to leverage AI as an amplifier of human creativity rather than a replacement for it. In the Imagination Era, your sustainable advantage isn't just implementing AI—it's unleashing the infinite creative potential of your people through a science-backed approach that amplifies what makes us uniquely human while harnessing the power of technology as a partner, not a replacement.

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Highlights

• CEO & Founder, Figure 8 Thinking
• Author of The Creativity Leap (award-winning)
• Named to Thinkers50 Radar & Top 50 Keynote Speakers in the World
• Clients include Microsoft, Salesforce, Comcast, VaynerMedia, and more
• Dynamic, interactive virtual presence with strong frameworks teams can apply immediately

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^{"Natalie Nixon can help you get unstuck and unlock the work you were born to do" - Seth Godin}

Speaker Video - Who is Daryl Davis

Speaker Video - Why I Talk To People That Hate Me

Speaker Website - https://www.daryldavis.com/

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Why Daryl Davis Is a Fit for Cisco BHM 2026

• Provides a powerful, lived example of Black courage, strategy, and emotional intelligence across the last several decades of US race history.
• Connects directly to “A Century of Black History Commemorations” by tying civil rights struggles to ongoing questions of hate, extremism, and belonging.
• Embodies “Ignite Your Intelligence” through interpersonal, moral, and emotional intelligence—showing that the most powerful tools in conflict are curiosity and communication.

‍

Suggested Topic

Meeting Hate with Humanity: The Power of Civility and Dialogue

Daryl Davis draws on 40+ years of engaging KKK and far-right White supremacist groups to unpack why hate crimes and rhetoric are on the rise. The daily headlines are troubling, but Daryl reminds audiences hate is learned – and what is learned can be unlearned. He encourages people to engage and educate, not shun and cancel, those with toxic beliefs, and he shows them how. “Ignorance breeds fear, fear breeds hate, and hate breeds destruction. Engaging and finding common ground is the key to defusing fear.” As a musician, Daryl promotes harmony over discord, and believes we can all play a part in making positive change by meeting hate with civility and building bridges instead of walls. “There’s only one race,” he says, “the human race.”

What audiences learn:

• How fear drives hate and engagement overcomes it.
• The key to changing another’s reality through perception.
• Ways to overcome one’s own prejudices, biases, and fears.
• How one person can make a world of positive difference.
• How to navigate a world of ever-growing diversity.

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From Discord to Harmony: Transforming Conflict into Collaboration

Conflict is unavoidable in everyday life – it’s how we react to it that matters. Maybe you’re a manager trying to defuse tension among employees…your co-worker doesn’t share your beliefs or background…or you have a long-simmering disagreement with a family member or neighbor. The one thing all conflict has in common – nothing gets solved until the opposing sides talk about it. In his presentation, Daryl Davis empowers people with a universal tool kit to resolve conflict at work, at home, and in the community – one conversation at a time. The average person may never face the kinds of extreme experiences Daryl has had, but his lessons serve as great examples of the positive change that can happen when people have the courage to listen to one another without trying to change each other’s minds.

What audiences learn:

• Apply universal tools to create positive change wherever conflict or disagreement exists.
• Preparation/Empathy: Understand the other person’s position and reasoning before you engage.
• You needn’t respect what people say but you must respect their right to say it.
• Learn to listen, understand, and keep emotions in check, even in incendiary situations.
• How to recover/repair/strengthen a relationship with a co-worker, client, friend, or family member.

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Highlights

• Renowned musician; long-time pianist for Chuck Berry
• Subject of the award-winning documentary Accidental Courtesy
• Author of Klan-Destine Relationships and The Klan Whisperer
• Recipient of numerous awards for his work in race reconciliation and conflict transformation
• Sought-after global speaker on race, extremism, and dialogue

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^{“You are being hailed as the ‘best speaker’ that we've had over the past decade! We are still receiving incredibly positive feedback about your remarks. Your message was timely, and hopefully it will inspire many in Indy to be more courageous and to seek the engagement, dialogue, and understanding necessary to better unify our city and region in the face of a re-energized white supremacy movement.” – President & CEO, Indianapolis Urban League}

^{“Our team has received many positive comments from attendees, both virtual and in-person. They were particularly impressed with Daryl's insights about how we can cultivate community and understanding through conversation, even if we disagree. I am confident that his talk will have a lasting impact on the Rutgers community members who were in attendance.” – Director of Strategic Initiatives, Rutgers University}‍

Speaker Video - Too Foreign For Here: The Life of a Black Sheep | Marcus Collins | TEDxUofM

Gravity Speakers Profile - https://www.gravityspeakers.com/speakers/marcus-collins

Speaker Website - https://www.marctothec.com/

‍

Why Marcus Collins Is a Fit for Cisco BHM 2026

• Perfectly bridges historical Black cultural impact with modern marketing, technology, and digital ecosystems.
• Speaks naturally to “Ignite Your Intelligence” by decoding how cultural intelligence drives better products, better messages, and better inclusion.
• Offers Cisco employees a practical way to think about culture as infrastructure—what underpins adoption, engagement, and trust in technology.

‍

Suggested Topic

^{(will be tailored for BHM)}

‍‍For the Culture: How Black Culture Shapes What We Buy, Build, and Believe

‍In this conversation, Marcus explores how culture—especially Black culture—has always been the most powerful driver of behavior, from music and sports to tech and social movements. Drawing on case studies from Beyoncé to Google to McDonald’s, he unpacks how cultural codes are formed, how they travel, and how they influence everything from product adoption to social change. For Cisco, he’ll connect the dots between the historical role of Black culture in shaping the modern world and the future of innovation, AI, and community-building inside a global organization.

‍

Highlights

• Bestselling author of For the Culture
• Professor of marketing at Michigan Ross & Professor in Residence at TikTok
• Led strategy on campaigns for Apple, Google, Beyoncé, State Farm, McDonald’s, the Brooklyn Nets, and more
• Recognized by Thinkers50, Ad Age 40 Under 40, Crain’s 40 Under 40, and AAF Hall of Achievement
• Highly engaging storyteller with strong virtual presence

‍

^{“Marcus Collins is nothing short of fantastic. As a speaker, Marcus has a way of presenting that is often difficult to find... He's a rare gem when it comes to presentation style, ability to take feedback, area of expertise, and more. Marcus truly listens to what others have to say before responding.” - Jaclyn, Capital One}‍

Speaker Video - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZOsUmEu51EE

Gravity Speakers Profile - https://www.gravityspeakers.com/speakers/gregory-robinson

Professional Profile - https://science.nasa.gov/people/webb-people-greg-robinson/

‍

Why Gregory Robinson Is a Fit for Cisco BHM 2026

• Embodies the arc of Black history from segregation to space exploration—perfect for “A Century of Black History Commemorations.”
• Connects directly to “Ignite Your Intelligence” through stories of scientific rigor, systems thinking, and quiet excellence in one of the world’s most complex engineering projects.
• Offers a grounded, inspiring narrative for technical audiences about how curiosity, discipline, and collective intelligence can transform what’s possible.

‍

Suggested Topics

From Sharecroppers' Son to Time's Most Influential People List

Just being an engineer in a time when few Blacks were in STEM professions would have been an achievement. Just getting into NASA—where the ranks of Black professionals were few and far between would have been an inspiring success story. But Gregory Robinson’s against-all-odds journey to leading the James Webb Space Telescope program had a starting point worthy of Hollywood. Born the ninth of eleven children to tobacco sharecroppers in southern Virginia, where the legacy of Jim Crow was still strong,

Robinson attended segregated schools until the age of 10. In this inspiring talk, HBCU graduate Robinson shares how he went from the tobacco fields to being named one of TIME Magazine’s 100 most influential people– and how lessons learned through humble beginnings propelled his much-honored career.

‍

Taking On Your Own Moonshot: Leadership Lessons from the James Webb Space Telescope

‍Gregory Robinson takes audiences behind the scenes of the James Webb Space Telescope to show how a high-risk, high-visibility program went from years of setbacks to historic success. Using stunning imagery from Webb and candid stories from the mission, he shares practical lessons on building trust, communicating across complex teams, making decisions under pressure, and recovering from failure without losing sight of the mission. The session invites Cisco teams to consider: What is our “moonshot”? and How do we lead through uncertainty to get there together?

‍

Highlights

• Former Director, James Webb Space Telescope Program, NASA
• Named to TIME 100 Most Influential People & TIME100 Impact Award
• Recipient of 2022 Federal Employee of the Year & Distinguished Presidential Rank Award
• HBCU graduate (Howard; Virginia Union) with a compelling, “from sharecroppers’ son to space” life story
• Ideal for a moderated fireside plus Q&A with a highly technical, engineering-focused audience

‍

^{"Not only was he flexible and easy to work with, but Greg took a special interest in meeting with our students, which provided a once-in-a-lifetime learning and networking opportunity." —Ann, University of Michigan}‍

Speaker Reel - https://youtu.be/wakPfJ3_IEY

Gravity Speakers Profile - https://www.gravityspeakers.com/speakers/wema-hoover

Speaker Website - https://www.wemahoover.com/

‍

Why Wema Hoover Is a Fit for Cisco BHM 2026

• Directly connects Black history—across a full century of commemoration—to the lived realities of Black employees today.
• Offers a clear, candid, and compassionate lens on psychological safety, mental health, and belonging that fits Cisco’s global, cross-cultural environment.
• Aligns with “Ignite Your Intelligence” by expanding the concept of intelligence to include emotional, historical, and systems intelligence needed to lead diverse teams.

‍

Suggested Topic

^{(To be BHM Tailored)}

From Causality to Cure: Rewriting the Story of Black Mental Health at Work

‍In many organizations, “mental health” is framed as a wellness perk or a day off. But for Black employees, the story is incomplete without acknowledging the historical and systemic forces—from slavery to segregation to ongoing racial trauma—that shape how stress, resilience, and vulnerability are experienced today. In this keynote-style conversation, Wema reframes Black mental health as a structural and historical issue, not just an individual one. She explores how racism, exclusion, and “death by a thousand cuts” show up in workplaces; how performative mental health efforts can inadvertently miss the mark; and what it really looks like for organizations to move from symptom management to root-cause healing. Attendees walk away with language, frameworks, and practical commitments to support Black colleagues more meaningfully—during Black History Month and throughout the year.

‍

Highlights

• Former Global Head of DEI at Google; led DEI at Pfizer, Sanofi, and Bristol-Myers Squibb
• Global advisor to Fortune 500 companies and international organizations (UN, WEF, etc.)
• Prolific writer on racial equity, women’s empowerment, and mental health
• Executive coach focused on authentic leadership and culture transformation
• Strong fit for moderated discussion with leaders and ERG partners

‍

^{"Amazing presentation on systemic embedding of interventions and equity by Wema Hoover, GPHR!" -- Opal Group}

Gravity Speakers Profile: https://www.gravityspeakers.com/speakers/arlan-hamilton

Speaker Website: https://arlan.studio/

‍

Why Arlan Hamilton Is a Fit for Cisco BHM 2026

• Embodies Black history in motion: from exclusion and gatekeeping to institution-building and capital allocation.
• Aligns with “Ignite Your Intelligence” by centering resourcefulness, pattern recognition, and the courage to invest in new ideas—forms of intelligence not always recognized on resumes.
• Excellent fit for a moderated, candid conversation about representation in tech, risk-taking, and what it means to “be the change” inside and outside large organizations.

‍

Suggested Topic‍

‍Write Your Own Headlines: Building the Future When No One Hands You the Script

‍In this fireside-style conversation, Arlan shares her journey from sleeping on airport floors to becoming one of the most recognizable investors in venture capital. She talks about what it means to see intelligence and potential where others don’t, to bet on underestimated talent, and to build platforms that expand opportunity. Arlan can also speak to AI and emerging technology as another “wave” where Black innovators must not be left behind—and how companies like Cisco can be part of that shift.

‍

Highlights

• Founder & Managing Partner, Backstage Capital (200+ portfolio companies)
• First non-celebrity Black woman on the cover of Fast Company
• Author of It’s About Damn Time, Your First Million, and Arlan’s Revenue Playbook
• Co-founder of 3XBA, an emerging women’s professional basketball league
• Known for powerful, honest fireside chats with high audience engagement

‍

^{“We loved having Arlan. She has an amazing stage presence and asked so many compelling questions to the startups on stage. We were lucky to have her!” - Annie Fei, Principal Event Marketing Manager, Hubspot INBOUND}

^{“Arlan’s challenge and her enthusiasm set the state and the tone for the rest of the Summit, helping to energize attendees and inspire deep conversations about the future of our profession.” - Kevin R. Keller, CEO at CFP Board}‍