Diverse Ideas is a talk series co-sponsored by UWM’s Institute of World Affairs and the Lubar Entrepreneurship Center to feature innovative leaders from diverse communities globally and locally. The LEC partners with other offices and departments like the UWM Multicultural Student Center, the UWM Global Inclusion and Engagement, and the UWM Women’s Resource Center and more. Diverse Ideas is an opportunity to explore entrepreneurship, discuss innovation, and discover leaders.
The Diverse Ideas speaker series was started as an experiment led by the LEC and Institute of World Affairs to connect international and local entrepreneurs to the UWM community. It’s an intentional event to showcase diverse communities. Since the series’ inception, there have been eight speakers that have shared their stories.
The first Diverse Ideas talk was held September 25, 2018 and featured Mona Kayali and Omar Amin – owners and Founders of Build-a-Burger/Build-a-Breakfast and Gyro MKE. The pair discussed their successes and hardships creating their own businesses in Milwaukee.
In the series first year we had the privilege of hosting Juan Carlos Viruet -Senior Vice President of Primerica, Lilo Allen – Founder of Papyrus and Charms, and Dextra Hadnot – Director of External Affairs, AT& T Wisconsin.
During the fall semester, Issa Nyphaga of Cameroon, who joined us October 3rd, 2019. Issa Nyphaga is: an artist, social entrepreneur, and human rights advocate working to bring public education to Cameroon, and fight prejudice, taboo, and domestic violence in Cameroon. Later in October we were joined by, Laura Manthe, Oneida Nation tribal member and Oneida White Corn Growers Group Advocate, to talk about integrated food systems and sustainability.
Diverse Ideas speaker for January 31st, 2020, Victoria Ibiwoye.
Our first speaker of 2020 was Victoria Ibiwoye, the Founder and Director of OneAfricanChild Foundation for Creative Learning, and a current UWM student. Victoria is also a Youth Representative to the United Nations, was named a Mandela Washington Fellow in 2019, and received the Princess Diana Legacy Award for her contribution to education and youth development.
For an extra special Valentine’s Day treat the Franciscan Peacemakers and Brewcity Bruisers team joined us on February 14th, 2020. The Franciscan Peacemakers discussed their programming and resources for helping women engaging in prostitution due to trauma, sex trafficking, or drug addiction. In addition to discussing with the Franciscan Peacemakers attendees – with the help of the Brewcity Bruisers – created 350 Valentine’s Day cards for: Black and Pink Milwaukee, Women’s Veterans Affairs Clinic, Franciscan Peacemakers, Milwaukee Catholic home, and the Sojourner Center.
Sean Phelan & Jesús González – Co-Founders and Developers of the Zócalo Food Park in Walker’s Point.
Join us on February 25th, 11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m., to meet with Sean Phelan & Jesús González – Co-Founders and Developers of the Zócalo Food Park in Walker’s Point – who will be joining us to talk about creating a home for food entrepreneurs (and cultivating partnerships with them) and creating an ecosystem that harvests community.
Click here to stay up to date on the latest LEC events including out Diverse Ideas talk series. We hope to see you at an upcoming event!