Theme: Night of Diversity: in Business

LA is a diverse city. Now, more than ever, diversity issues, equity, and inclusion are being considered from the top-level down. Business owners in Los Angeles will come together to talk about their story. Also participate in a lively Q&A session. Engage in diversity activities to exercise your diversity strengths.
This event is hosted by California Policy & Research Initiative (CalPRI). See calpri.org for more information.

AAVREP
3653 S. La Brea Ave
Los Angeles, CA, California, 90016
United States

Apryl Sims

General Manager, Simply Wholesome

Apryl brings 57 years of practical living experience coupled with over forty-two years of Marketing, Sales and Management expertise. She is a 4th generation Entrepreneur. Apryl attended Howard University in Washington, D.C. She received her Bachelor's in Business Administration with a concentration in Marketing in 1984. Apryl completed a Certificate Program for Entrepreneurs at UCLA’s Anderson Graduate School of Business in 1994. Apryl’s connection to Simply Wholesome came through her late father, Larry Sims. His company 333 Construction physically transformed the former Wich Stand, into what is now the home of Simply Wholesome. To that end, Apryl has been responsible for helping to develop many community based entrepreneurs. Apryl was the first retailer to give Mixed Chicks and Kinky-Curly retail shelf space. Apryl has her own specialty Raw Unpasteurized Cold Pressed Juice line called “Apryl’s Life In A Bottle”. The juices are currently sold exclusively at Simply Wholesome.

Elizabeth Morrison

Vice President, Diversity & Inclusion

Zachary S.Ritter received his PhD from UCLA in 2013 in Higher Education, researching Asian international students’ experiences with cross-racial stereotypes and interaction. Currently, he teaches social justice research methods at UCLA, and Organizational Theory to doctoral students at Uni of Redlands. He was the Interim Associate Dean of Institutional Diversity, at Harvey Mudd College, where he helped lead equity-centered workshops for students, staff, and faculty. At the University of Redlands, he taught social justice history and qualitative methods, and helped create a healthy masculinity program called DUDES. He also participated in NewGround: a Muslim-Jewish partnership.

Percell Keeling

Owner

Rickerby Hinds

Rickerby Hinds is one of the pioneers of Hip-Hop Theater who has the unique ability to challenge conventional notions of the stage while taking advantage of its history and traditions. A native of Honduras who immigrated to South Central Los Angeles at age 13, his work draws on his multifaceted background to create theater that is simultaneously challenging, compelling and entertaining. Hinds received his MFA in playwriting from UCLA’s School of Theater, Film and Television where he was awarded the coveted Audrey Skirball-Kenis (ASK) Award for best play for an unprecedented two years. His work has been developed by venues including the Mark Taper Forum, Bay Area Playwrights Festival, The Royal Court Theatre in London and The Oregon Shakespeare Festival (where he presented the first hip-hop Theater play in their history Blackballin’ in 2008). Hinds’ productions explore the human condition employing the aesthetics, as well as the performance instruments of hip-hop culture – MCing, hip-hop dance, beatboxing, graffiti (aerosol art), DJin. He is currently the chair of the Department of Theater Film & Digital Production at the University of California, Riverside and founding director of Riverside Studios where he continues to break new ground in works for the stage and screen

Vanessa Castaneda-Gill

CEO

Vanessa believes it is her mission to bring art and science together in innovative ways that help people. Learning from her own experiences as an artist, neuroscience researcher, and an individual with Asperger syndrome, she founded Social Cipher, a story-driven video game that gives children with autism a safe, fun, and accessible space to apply social skills. Her interdisciplinary team of neuroscientists, designers, and developers addresses the needs of real families through the magic of gameplay and story. They're supported by mentors at Riot Games, and they were 2018 National Geographic Chasing Genius Finalists. Vanessa is also a Cohort 9 Fellow of the prestigious Halcyon Incubator in Washington, DC. She and the Social Cipher team imagine a future in which an autism diagnosis is no longer viewed as a deficit, but a superpower–and they're determined to make that future a reality.

Zack Ritter

Adjunct Professor

Zachary S.Ritter received his PhD from UCLA in 2013 in Higher Education, researching Asian international students’ experiences with cross-racial stereotypes and interaction. Currently, he teaches social justice research methods at UCLA, and Organizational Theory to doctoral students at Uni of Redlands. He was the Interim Associate Dean of Institutional Diversity, at Harvey Mudd College, where he helped lead equity-centered workshops for students, staff, and faculty. At the University of Redlands, he taught social justice history and qualitative methods, and helped create a healthy masculinity program called DUDES. He also participated in NewGround: a Muslim-Jewish partnership.