VCU’s Grace E. Harris Leadership Institute sponsors 4th Annual HIGHER Ground Women’s Leadership Development Program Luncheon

By Mike Porter

Virginia Commonwealth University’s Grace E. Harris Leadership Institute is sponsoring a leadership luncheon and afternoon program for women from across Virginia, including those in academia, medical and legal professions, elected officials and community leaders.  

The HIGHER Ground 4^th Annual Women’s Leadership Development Program Luncheon will take place from noon until 4:30 p.m. on Friday, Jan. 15, 2010, at the Richmond Marriot, 500 E. Broad St. The cost is $45 for those who register by Dec. 31, and $55 for those who register between Jan. 1 and Jan. 8.

The luncheon marks the 10-year anniversary of the Institute and HIGHER Ground. This year’s theme, “Celebrating a Decade of Women in Leadership,” pays tribute to the accomplishments and success of HIGHER Ground program alumnae while encouraging the next generation of women leaders. The afternoon will include three concurrent sessions, each with a diverse focus designed to engage participants in a theme-related topic.

This year’s keynote speaker is Daphne Maxwell Reid, who is most widely recognized for her role as Aunt Viv on NBC’s hit comedy “The Fresh Prince of Bel Air.“ She also co-starred with her husband Tim Reid in the CBS comedy series “Frank’s Place.” The couple teamed up again on CBS’s “Snoops” and on the King World syndicated talk show “The Tim and Daphne Show.” She currently stars as Eartha on the Showtime series “Linc’s.”

The HIGHER Ground Women’s Leadership Development Program is a five-month leadership development experience for current and emerging women leaders who exhibit the skills, potential and desire to lead organizations and themselves to a higher level. This training fosters collaboration across organizational settings, as well as among women from diverse racial, ethnic and religious backgrounds.

For more information about the luncheon or the afternoon sessions or to register, visit http://www.pubapps.vcu.edu/gehli/higherground/HGLuncheon.htm or call 804-827-1169.