Location: CAC Theater

Register to attend this event!

In order to attend, you must register for the event.

» Click here to register for the event.

Kwame Onwuachi's love of cooking remained a constant even when, as a young chef, he was forced to grapple with just how unwelcoming the culinary world can be for people of color. His early experiences taught him about the kind of kitchen he did not want to lead - and that the most devastating forms of racism and sexism are not always the most visible.

Now a James Beard Award-winning chef, Kwame's commitment to an inclusive workplace has attracted some of the most talented chefs in the world of fine dining. Audiences will learn how to shine a light on the challenges their own organizations face, with memorable stories from Kwame's journey to illustrate the ingredients for success.

About Kwame Onwuachi

Kwame Onwuachi is the James Beard Award-winning former executive chef at Kith/Kin and owner of the Philly Wing Fry franchise in Washington, D.C. He was born on Long Island and raised in New York City, Nigeria, and Louisiana. Onwuachi was first exposed to cooking by his mother, in the family’s modest Bronx apartment, and he took that spark of passion and turned it into a career. From toiling in the bowels of oil cleanup ships to working at some of the best restaurants in the world, he has seen and lived his fair share of diversity. Onwuachi trained at the Culinary Institute of America and has opened five restaurants before turning thirty. A former Top Chef contestant, he has been named one of Food & Wine's Best New Chefs and a 30 Under 30 honoree by both Zagat and Forbes.

For more information on the featured speaker, go to prhspeakers.com.

Academic Convocation

Academic Convocation is an exciting event that blends Wichita State University's Common Read program with other student learning and engagement opportunities. Faculty awards will be recognized and the event will feature a student speaker and a keynote address. Kwame Onwuachi will also serve as this year's guest speaker. This year's Academic Convocation will be held at Wilner Auditorium.

About the Diversity Lecture Series

The Office of Diversity and Inclusion is proud to present the Diversity Lecture Series, a series that features distinguished leaders and experts to inspire campus dialogue, community engagement and learning about the national narrative on diversity and inclusion. The speakers include scholars, thought leaders and diversity professionals whose research, scholarship, leadership and advocacy enhance the university's efforts to present diverse ideas, perspectives and viewpoints to inspire greater understanding and appreciation for diversity and inclusion.

The Diversity Lecture Series was made possible through support of various university departments at Wichita State University.

All events are free and open to the public.

For more information, contact the Office of Diversity and Inclusion at 316-978-3034.

Presented by Fidelity Bank and Office of Diversity & Inclusion