Ice Miller’s firm wide Heritage and History Month events are 1-hour virtual sessions hosted via Microsoft Teams, with an audience of approximately 75+ attendees. Our goal is to foster continuous learning about different heritages and cultures, recognizing that a diverse team—one that brings varied perspectives and cultural insights—drives creativity, fuels innovation, and strengthens relationships.
Date: TBD
Budget: $2,500
Audience: 75+ seeing closer to 100, Firm Wide, Business Professionals, Executive Staff.
Last Year's Event:
Hispanic Heritage Month program: A Celebration of Hispanic Heritage and Hope with Joey Aviles, D&I Keynote Speaker and Consultant. Celebrating Brilliance. Celebrating greatness. Celebrating our Cultura. Resilience is the lifestyle of the Hispanic community. This keynote serves as a belonging manifesto for your Latinx members and their allies. Miguel will take the audience in a journey to show how the Hispanic community has historically led through the power of HOPE. The audience will walk away with the ability to dissect the meaning of Hope through the lenses of the Hispanic community, learn how to embrace DEI to achieve lasting progress in any mission area, and receive tools to advance an organizational culture rooted in equity, belonging, diversity and inclusion.
Learning Objectives:
1. Learn how to become an ally of the Hispanic Community
2. Understand key historical events that influenced the Hispanic community universal values
3. Access principles, tools, and resources to lead DEI efforts at the personal, team and organizational levels
Monica M. Rivera (she/her) is a captivating keynote speaker, TEDx presenter, and first-generation Latina from the Bronx who has transformed her personal journey of resilience into a mission of empowerment. With 20+ years at global companies including Citi, Deloitte, Verizon, and SAP, Monica brings both corporate credibility and cultural authenticity. Her work blends data-driven insights with human connection, inspiring professionals to embrace diversity, own their value, and take transformative action. Featured by Nasdaq, NPR, O Magazine, The New York Times, and TIME, Monica is known for her warmth, relatability, and ability to spark change.
Gravity Profile: https://www.gravityspeakers.com/speakers/monica-m-rivera
Website: https://www.youwannadowhat.com/
“Thanks for your outstanding presentation. Your energy, insights, and the way you engaged the audience were truly exceptional. The vibrant chat discussions and emoji reactions from the participants demonstrated just how much they appreciated your talk. Your content on shaping culture resonated deeply with our staff, and your ability to connect with them was evident throughout. We received wonderful feedback about your session.” - NORC at The University of Chicago
“Thank you for the engaging conversation and lecture you gave to our employees today to discuss the power of the Latino community. Our employees appreciated all of the comments, engagement and personal experiences you provided during your presentation, and I am grateful for your commitment to bringing up these conversations within our workplace.“ - Alteryx
From politics to pop culture, Latinos have been shaping history in ways that often go unrecognized. This session highlights groundbreaking Latino leaders, innovators, and pioneers whose contributions have left a lasting impact on the world. Get ready to be inspired by stories of resilience, ingenuity, and cultural influence.
Session Takeaways:
Dive into the unexpected ways in which Latino culture has shaped the fabric of American society. From revolutionizing American palates with its food to enriching the cultural mosaic through music and dance, Latino culture has its fingerprints everywhere.
Using captivating stories and visuals, the audience will gain a deeper appreciation for the profound influence of Latino culture. Embrace the fusion of flavors, the vibrancy of music, and the joy of dance, celebrating the rich tapestry within your own life and the American economic landscape. Get ready to be inspired by the incredible diversity and dynamism of Latin culture in America!
Key Takeaways:
Latine storytelling has captivated audiences for decades, from the dramatic twists of telenovelas to the rise of Latino-led films and TV shows. This session explores the evolution of Latine representation in media and why authentic narratives matter. Join us for a conversation on the power of storytelling and its role in shaping perception and culture.
Session Takeaways:
Tianna Faye Soto is a nationally recognized keynote speaker, wellness expert, and mental health educator known for her warm, engaging style and ability to create transformative experiences for audiences. A former editor at Women’s Health magazine with master’s-level training in clinical and counseling psychology from Columbia University, Tianna blends storytelling, science, and cultural insight to help people embrace who they are and lead with confidence.
Of Puerto Rican, Jamaican-Chinese heritage, Tianna brings a rich cross-cultural perspective to her work, making wellness and leadership conversations accessible, human, and hopeful. She has spoken to more than 100 audiences nationwide—including Meta, Boeing, and StockX—and is equally impactful in intimate workshops and large-scale conferences.
Gravity Profile: https://www.gravityspeakers.com/speakers/tianna-soto
Website: https://www.tiannafaye.com/
“Our organization at Facebook loved having Tianna speak with our team. We learned about research, theory, and common myths around happiness, followed by engaging exercises that helped us increase our positivity. We loved the reverse bucket list and gratitude visit exercises! Tianna is thoughtful and grounding. Her calm, yet confident demeanor made for easy listening. Hope to have her back in the future.” - Sarah Dunn, former Event Specialist, Facebook Reality Labs
“During Mental Health Awareness Month, we invited Tianna to join our StockX Culture Conversation Series to share tips and resources for managing mental health both in and out of the workplace. She shared tactics, best practices, and activity ideas for relieving stress and improving mental wellbeing. It was a highly engaging session with a great turnout. This conversation was timely and meaningful, and helped us continue our efforts to ensure StockX remains an inclusive workplace.” - Brandon Boatner, Global Impact Program Manager, StockX
Tianna helps diverse professionals and teams embrace their unique stories, cultivate belonging, and create strength from difference. Drawing from her multicultural background and deep expertise in psychology, she guides audiences to recognize the value of their lived experiences and use them as a foundation for connection, innovation, and leadership.
Every event is unique. From intimate workshops to large conferences, all keynotes are delivered with one goal in mind: a meaningful experience for your audience.
Key Takeaways:
Marisa Estrada Rivera (also known as Ritzy P) is a first-generation Mexican American creative strategist, tech educator, and cultural advocate with over 20 years of experience spanning music, art, and emerging technologies. As the founder of Ritzy Periwinkle and a partner at Hola Metaverso, she develops educational programs and bridge-building initiatives that connect communities across the U.S. and Latin America.
Named one of Butterscotch Media’s 2025 Web3 Changemakers to Watch, Marisa has presented at the UN General Assembly’s Science Summits, served as a delegate at the Congressional Briefing of Women of Color in Blockchain, and co-authored Women in Web3: Inclusive Futures—with proceeds funding global STEM scholarships for young women.
Through her work, podcasting, and advocacy, Marisa ensures that marginalized communities not only participate in, but thrive within, the rapidly evolving tech landscape.
Gravity Profile: https://www.gravityspeakers.com/speakers/marisa-estrada-rivera
Website: https://www.ritzyperiwinkle.com/
"Hearing Ritzy speak about the future of women of color in web 3 spaces has been an inspiration to me. Her ability to break down information in a way that energizes you and excites you for the possibilities is so invaluable to our community. We women are fortunate to have someone like her to be the spark for us all." - Maria Wren, Co-founder Smart Education, NASA Solar System Ambassador
“Ritzy P is a natural public speaker. Whether as a podcast host, moderator at the United Nations, or panelist on Capitol Hill, she dominates the stage and simply captures the audience powerfully. Her style is reminiscent of Larry King and Oprah. She can effortlessly command a conversation and charm the audience with her captivating voice and gaze.” - Cleve Mesidor, Executive Director of Blockchain Foundation and CEO of butterscotch Media
Through her personal journey, Ritzy explores what it means to be a first-generation Mexicana moving through corporate spaces, creative industries, and entrepreneurship. She shares lessons learned from navigating systems not built for her and offers insight on staying rooted in culture while breaking new ground.
Takeaways:
In this talk, Ritzy Periwinkle breaks down what emerging tech really is, from AI and blockchain to the spatial web and beyond, in a way that’s clear, engaging, and accessible to non-tech audiences. She highlights how many marginalized communities are already interacting with these tools without realizing it and why their voices and leadership are essential in shaping the future. Ritzy shares powerful, real-world examples of underrepresented innovators using technology to solve problems, build wealth, and uplift their communities, stories often overlooked by mainstream media. Her goal is to inspire audiences to explore, participate, and even build with intention and safety.
Takeaways:
Cheryl Campos is a trailblazing leader at the intersection of finance, entrepreneurship, and creativity. As the CEO and cofounder of LaFamilia Foundation, she is closing the capital gap for Latine founders and funders through groundbreaking initiatives like VCFamilia—the largest global community of Latine venture capitalists—and FounderFamilia, a thriving network of 500+ Latine venture-backed founders. Backed by industry giants including J.P. Morgan, AWS, and Comcast, Cheryl’s work has facilitated millions in funding for underrepresented entrepreneurs.
A Harvard-educated economist and Stanford MBA, Cheryl’s professional journey spans investment banking at Barclays, early-stage investing at Lightspeed, and scaling the fintech platform Republic to unicorn status. Beyond finance, Cheryl is a signed model and actress, working with top brands like Tom Ford, Louboutin, and Macy’s. Her multidimensional career reflects her belief in embracing all aspects of identity to fuel success.
Speaker Profile: https://www.gravityspeakers.com/speakers/cheryl-campos
Website: https://www.cherylcampos.com/
This intimate, interview-style conversation explores Cheryl’s journey founding LaFamilia Foundation and building vibrant, impactful communities for Latine entrepreneurs and investors. She will share actionable insights on harnessing community for innovation, professional growth, and lasting change—lessons that resonate with leaders across industries.
Possible Discussion Themes:
In this candid talk, Cheryl shares how she navigates being both an insider and an outlier in high-stakes industries—Harvard graduate, Latina leader in venture capital, and creative professional. Through personal stories and practical takeaways, she inspires audiences to embrace every facet of who they are.