Meet the Speaker
Arielle Clark, Owner and Founder of Sis Got Tea
Arielle (she/her) is the owner and founder of Sis Got Tea. A Black, queer, neurodivergent, disabled woman, Arielle strives to keep Sis Got Tea as accessible, accepting, accountable, and sober as possible. She wants Sis Got Tea to be a place to laugh, relax, kiki, get resources, and sip some delicious tea
Joshua Covington, Ed.D., CEO, GradEd Gaming
Erica Fields, President and Majority Owner of Brooks Grain, LLC
Erica Fields was President and majority owner of her Grain Marketing firm, Brooks Grain, LLC, which was certified by the National LGBTQ Chamber of Commerce (NGLCC) as an LGBTQ business enterprise in 2015. She started the business in 2007 after working in the grain industry since 1974. She has been supplying rye to the distilling industry for over 45 years and regularly came to Louisville and the surrounding area where many of her customers are. Originally from Minneapolis MN, Erica and her wife, Patience Fields, moved to Louisville in February of 2017 as the bourbon industry’s expansion and growth created the need to relocate her business to Louisville. Upon relocating she saw the need for a local NGLCC affiliate and along with other LGBT business owners in Louisville, began the process of starting a local affiliate. In 2019 at the annual Derby Diversity Business Summit (DDBS), CIVITAS Regional LGBTQ Chamber of Commerce was launched. She has served as its Board President ever since. In her past in Minneapolis, she served on the board of the Minneapolis LGBTQ Chamber of Commerce, Twin Cities Quorum and has been an active supporter of the NGLCC. Erica is a member of the Rotary Club of Louisville and serves on the board of the Fund for the Arts and Bourbon Women. Erica is also a theatre artist.
She was recently a cast member in Louisville’s Pandora Productions’ “Southern Comfort” which was filmed and presented online.
Tony Lewis, Executive Director and Producer of Drag Daddy Productions
Drag Daddy Productions is an LGBTQIA+ owned and operated, nonprofit 501(c)(3) performing arts company founded in Louisville, Kentucky, by Executive Director and Producer, Tony Lewis. It is our mission to provide performance and rehearsal space; as well as, opportunities to trans, non-binary, drag, queer and ally individuals alike. With a focus on equitable pay for performers, we strive to provide safe and healthy spaces for all performers, crew members, volunteers and audience members. Our programming features original works written and/or created by queer artists, unconventional casting of musical theater and other forms of alternative story-telling.
Julianna Ratliff, Business Partner of Hall Place B&B
Hall Place B and B is a unique Bed and Breakfast located just 1 block south of the Glasgow KY town square. Hall Place was built in 1852 by Judge Thomas for his daughter Theodosia and her husband Dr. James Hall. 170 years later this beautiful pre-civil war home still provides a wonderful loving atmosphere to all who pass through. The Hall Place maintains a 100% everyone is welcome policy. This policy is what helped Miss Julianne (a minor business partner to the main proprietor to buy in). Miss Julianne spends her week days changing minds and hearts by managing industrial construction site across the United States as she spreads her message of transgender equality. Miss Julianne transitioned from MTF starting at age 47. She loves all and accepts everyone.
Moderated by Holli Turner, Supplier Diversity & Sustainability Director of Humana
Holli Turner, Director of Supplier Diversity and Sustainability initiatives for Humana, Inc. She currently resides in Louisville, KY but is a native of Cincinnati, Ohio. Holli is a highly experienced, innovative thinker with over 20 years of high level Diversity, Operational and Sales leadership experience with progressive organizations. She has successfully demonstrated Six Sigma continuous improvement initiatives throughout a 10 -distribution center and logistics network. Ms. Turner created new and improved supplier diversified yet sustainable solutions within an overall Global Supply Chain Network while further fostering collaborative growth opportunities particularly in the business to business sectors.
Ms. Turner is a critical thinker with a very diverse background. She has assumed multiple corporate leadership roles where she was considered the subject matter expert.
Ms. Turner attended Ohio University in Athens, OH studying Psychology in the School of Arts and Science.
With a passion for learning, mentoring and the community, Ms. Turner has served in various organizations.