NRF 2022: Retail’s Big Show to highlight importance of diversity, equity and inclusion

Don’t miss the DE&I Stage and Showcase and the return of the FQ Equality Lounge
Director, Special Projects and Executive Communications

On Monday, Jan. 17, at NRF 2022: Retail’s Big Show, NRF celebrates Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s legacy with a “day on” of collaboration and inclusive learning to make a positive impact on the retail industry.

Retail’s Big Show attendees are invited to attend the new DE&I Stage and Showcase for a day of remembrance, reflection and recommitment to the important work that remains in the areas of diversity, equity and inclusion.

NRF 2022 On Demand

Watch NRF 2022: Retail’s Big Show on demand and catch up with latest sessions.

The program will feature two sessions on diversity, equity, inclusion, belonging and leadership, roundtable discussions led by industry leaders, a luncheon to foster meaningful dialogue, and a product showcase featuring more than 40 Black and Latinx/Hispanic brands.

Featured leaders will discuss their journey into DE&I, effective tools and resources for managing a diverse team, tips for measuring impact of DE&I programs and more. For a preview of what to expect, see speaker James Rhee’s recent TED talk.

The full list of speakers includes:

  • Mark Irwin, Chief Diversity Officer, Best Buy
  • Jonathan Mayes, Chief Diversity Officer, Albertsons
  • Marc Morial, President and CEO, National Urban League
  • James Rhee, Founder and CEO, red helicopter
  • Kimberly J. Smith, Founder and CEO, Marjani Beauty
  • Colleen Taylor, President, Merchant Services U.S., American Express

Big Show attendees will also have the opportunity to visit the always popular FQ Equality Lounge, sponsored by Indeed, Globant, Kyndryl, Datarobot and Salesforce. The Lounge will host a series of important sessions focused on workplace diversity, leadership and building brand values as a top priority. Attendees have access to exclusive session Q&As and a private networking area.

Retailers will play an active role in the Equality Bootcamp session, focused on how the movement for equity and equality changed how we live and how we approach work. In this interactive session, attendees will be invited to share a few minutes of insights based on a community prompt, starting with who they are and why the topic is important to them. Participants will walk away with key takeaways that will help them become more conscious, connected leaders.

Additional panels in The FQ Equality Lounge will cover:

 

FQ Equality Lounge
Shelley Zalis, CEO of The Female Quotient speaks during NRF 2020 at The FQ Lounge.

Building brand loyalty: Why it looks different between generations

Building diversity and inclusion into your organization's DNA

How purposeful marketing drives equality

Investing in your team: Creating opportunities for women at the top

Recruiting and training: Leveraging retail's diverse talent pool

The new face of leadership: Why feminine strengths are taking center stage

Related content

8 women in retail you’ll hear from at NRF Nexus
 
Women speaking at NRF Nexus.
From apparel to mass market, these retail leaders are blazing a trail.
Read more
How customer-facing AI will energize retail’s future
 
Kate Ancketill speaking at Retail's Big Show.
Retail Gets Real episode 353: Futurist Kate Ancketill shares insights on empathic AI and its potential impact on retail.
Read more
DE&I as a state of success — not a checkbox
 
Mecca Mitchell at the 2024 NRF Foundation Honors.
Retail Gets Real episode 352: Burlington Stores’s Mecca Mitchell on the power of leading with passion and authenticity.
Read more