My Loyola

Conferences

Saturday, March 7, 2026

9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

Loyola Academy

1100 Laramie Avenue in Wilmette

The day begins in the McGrath Family Performing Arts Center

Theme: Building Your Village

The Young Women of Color Symposiumis a leadership conference for 6th–12th grade, self-identified young women of color in the Chicagoland area. In order to protect, support and empower young women of color, Francis W. Parker School and Loyola Academy have partnered to create a space for conversation, connection and community.

Questions? Contact ywocis@gmail.com.

Keynote Speaker

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Rohini Dey

Rohini Dey is an award-winning entrepreneur, restaurateur, and global women's advocate whose work bridges business, culture, and philanthropy across the U.S. and India. A former World Bank economist and McKinsey & Company management consultant, Rohini founded Vermilion in Chicago and New York, redefining fine dining through her innovative Indian-Latin cuisine while challenging Eurocentric norms in the culinary world.

A passionate champion for women's leadership, Rohini co-founded the James Beard Foundation Women's Leadership Program and chaired it for a decade, helping advance equity in the hospitality industry. In 2020, she launched Let's Talk Womxn, a national collective that now connects more than 350 women restaurateurs across multiple cities to build community, scale impact, and create opportunity together. Her leadership has been recognized by JP Morgan Chase, the City of Chicago, the American India Foundation, and National Restaurant News, and she regularly appears on major media platforms while mentoring emerging leaders.

Rohini's journey reflects resilience, innovation, and purpose-driven leadership. She has consistently challenged systems that marginalize women and people of color while creating pathways for others through mentorship, advocacy, and education. Rohini exemplifies what is possible when cultural identity, courage, and community come together making her a powerful role model for young women of color as they envision their futures and step into their own leadership.

Previous Keynote Speakers

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Senite Barih '20
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Dr. Shirlene Obuobi

Physician, cartoonist, and author
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Rosetta Lee

Consultant, Educator and Activist in Seattle, Washington
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Sarah Culberson

Sierra Leone Princess, Author, Humanitarian, Speaker
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Ruth Jurgensen

CEO, Prep for Prep
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Mary Spio

Deep Space Engineer and Founder, CEEK Virtual Reality
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Third Annual Young Women of Color Symposium Inspires and Uplifts
12/8/2023
On Saturday, March 25, Loyola Academy and Francis W. Parker School hosted the third annual Young Women of Color (YWOC) Symposium, which led over 100 6th to 12th grade participants in a series of workshops, affinity group sessions, and activities to create a space for conversation, connection, and community for students who self-identify as young women of color. The day's conversations were guided by the 2023 theme: I Am Her.
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Second Annual Young Women of Color Symposium Inspires and Uplifts
3/8/2022
On March 5, Loyola Academy and Francis W. Parker School hosted the second annual Young Women of Color (YWOC) Symposium, which led nearly two hundred 6th to 12th grade participants from thirteen schools in a series of workshops, affinity groups sessions and activities to create a space for conversation, connection and community for students who self-identify as young women of color. The day's conversations were guided by the 2022 theme: Unapologetically Me.
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Loyola Co-Hosts Inaugural Young Women of Color Symposium
9/27/2021
On March 19–21, Loyola Academy and Francis W. Parker School in Chicago co-hosted the inaugural Young Women of Color (YWOC) Symposium, which led nearly two hundred 7th to 12th grade participants from twenty schools in a series of workshops, affinity groups sessions and activities that enabled students who self-identify as young women of color to explore and celebrate their identities.
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