Second RISE to the Challenge Summit set for January 2024

Central State University is thrilled to present the eagerly awaited RISE to the Challenge Summit, an extraordinary event for fostering career growth and establishing valuable connections.

This event promises an unparalleled opportunity for career development and networking among area college students, Central State alumni and corporate partners, local professionals, and other individuals to come together and network.  

The event is scheduled for 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Wednesday, Jan 31, 2024, at the University Student Center at Central State, 1400 Brush Row Road, Wilberforce, Ohio 45384. Central State is Ohio’s sole public Historically Black College or University (HBCU) and a distinguished 1890 Land-Grant Institution. 

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Hear uplifting stories from diverse leaders

The second annual summit will feature distinguished speakers and companies joining forces to empower diverse leaders with the tools necessary to transition from college to prolific careers. 

The event will feature opportunities for students to engage with executives through panels, fireside chats, and storytime formats that promise to inspire students with personal stories of career success, navigating corporate culture, keystone achievements, and lessons learned along the way.  

Register to RISE to the Challenge

Priority registration is available through Dec. 20 for student attendees to enter their names in a drawing to receive a special gift. The registration deadline is Jan. 15.  

Along with Marauders, exceptional students from neighboring Wilberforce University and Dayton-area community colleges are invited to learn valuable insights into career development. A limited number of spots will be reserved for select high school students. One focus of the summit will be how corporations that value diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs have bolstered their workforces and created lasting change.  

From marketing executive to President: Charles Johnson of SodexoMagic 

A special fireside chat with Charles E. Johnson, President and co-founder of SodexoMagic, will offer attendees the opportunity to hear about his journey from marketing executive to President of a more than $700 million enterprise and the fastest-growing majority minority-owned food and facility service company in the U.S.  

During Johnson's leadership at SodexoMagic, he developed strategic partnerships with some of the world’s largest corporations, health care systems, and educational school districts. As a graduate of Tuskegee University, Johnson believes that the foundation of a healthy community is economic empowerment.  

Today, Johnson, a native of Chicago, Illinois, works with organizations to understand their businesses and their relationships with their communities. His challenge is always to develop a community benefits agreement that integrates public outreach with tested and proven business practices.  

Johnson supports his community by mentoring at-risk youth through various organizations, both for-profit and nonprofit. 

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Sponsorship opportunities  

Sponsorship is an excellent way for companies to highlight their commitment to DEI. At RISE to the Challenge Summit, participants will connect with business and community leaders, engage in insightful workshops, interact with keynote speakers, and expand their professional networks. Over 150 participants attended the inaugural summit in 2022. Central State anticipates an event larger turnaround at this year’s conference.  

DOWNLOAD SPONSOR PACKET 

To ensure a spot at RISE to the Challenge, companies can reserve sponsorships through 12 p.m. Jan. 10.  

For more information about sponsoring the event, or for questions or accommodation requests, contact Kimberly Jones, ’89, kjones@centralstate.edu or 937-376-6054.

Special thanks go out to our early corporate sponsors: Dominion Energy, Duke Energy, Edward Jones, Encova Insurance, Fifth Third Bank, Grange Insurance, JPMorgan Chase Bank, Nationwide Insurance, and PNC Bank.