Date:
September 16, 2027
Time:
8:00 a.m. – 3:30 p.m
(Doors Open at 8:00 a.m.
Opening Activity begins at 8:45 a.m.
Programming begins at 9:15 a.m.)
Location:
TBD
Agenda:
TBD
SAVE THE DATE
2027 Kansas Inclusion Summit will be held on
September 16, 2027. stay tuned for more information!
2026 Kansas Inclusion Summit Recap
The 2026 Kansas Inclusion Summit brought professionals, leaders and community members together at Prairie Band Casino & Resort for a day of meaningful conversation, shared learning and practical ideas centered around this year’s theme, Building Belonging Through Intentional Design.
The day began with attendees at the center of the conversation. Through interactive questions and table discussions, participants reflected on when they have felt a true sense of belonging, what workplace practices help people thrive, what makes it safe to share a different opinion and what leaders should intentionally design within their organizations.
Keynote speaker Lonnie Walker Jr. continued the conversation with The Five Senses of Belonging, exploring what it takes to create environments where people feel seen, valued and connected. In the afternoon, Dr. Jackie Bsharah presented Learned Bravery: An Essential Element for Building Belonging, challenging attendees to consider the courage required to lead, grow and create meaningful change.
Breakout sessions gave attendees an opportunity to dive deeper into topics including psychological safety, neurodiversity in the workplace, difficult conversations, designing cultures where people thrive, cultivating civility and the art of belonging.
One of the day’s most interactive moments came during lunch, when Charles Morgan led attendees through a persona activity designed to encourage participants to look beyond their own experiences. Each person stepped into a different persona and considered how workplace environments, decisions and practices might be experienced through that individual’s perspective.
Throughout the summit, attendees were encouraged not only to listen, but to participate, reflect and learn from one another. From conversations around the tables to insights shared from the stage, the day reinforced a central message: belonging doesn’t happen by accident. It happens by design.
Thank you to our speakers, sponsors, volunteers and everyone who joined us for the 2026 Kansas Inclusion Summit and helped make the day a success.
The theme for the 2026 Kansas Inclusion Summit is Building Belonging Through Intentional Design.
Belonging doesn’t happen by accident—it happens by design. Join professionals, leaders, and community members from across Kansas for a day dedicated to exploring how intentional actions, thoughtful leadership, and inclusive practices can create environments where everyone has the opportunity to contribute and succeed.
This year’s summit will feature keynote speakers Dr. Jackie Bsharah, Ph.D., PCC, creator of Learned Bravery® and founder of Dynamic Collaborations, and Lonnie Walker Jr., Topeka leader, speaker, coach and community advocate.
Dr. Bsharah will present “Learned Bravery: An Essential Element for Building Belonging,” exploring how courageous leadership can help create the conditions for trust, connection and belonging. Walker will present “The Five Senses of Belonging,” challenging attendees to think about what it truly takes to create environments where people feel seen, valued and connected.
Along with inspiring keynotes, attendees can look forward to engaging breakout sessions, meaningful networking opportunities and practical strategies they can take back to their workplaces and communities. Come ready to think differently, connect intentionally and discover new ways to build cultures where people can thrive.
Keynote
Keynote
Breakout Session
breakout session
breakout session
breakout session
breakout session
breakout session
Thank you to our 2026 sponsors!
Presenting Sponsors
Host Sponsor
Speaker Sponsor
Gold Sponsors
Interested in becoming a sponsor? Email Ashlee.Davis@TopekaPartnership.com