Edward James Olmos to keynote the “Images and Perceptions Conference” which will be held on April 10 at Byblos Banquet Hall in Dearborn.

DEARBORN – 3D Consulting & Communications is preparing for their 11th annual “Images and Perceptions Diversity Conference” to be held on April 10 at Byblos Banquets here in Dearborn.

Over the years, the day long conference has grown to attract over 400 participants annually from diverse backgrounds across the country in attempts to build bridges between communities. Open to administrators, healthcare professionals, law enforcement agents, public officials, educators and students, in previous years the event has featured noteworthy keynote speakers such as Helen Thomas, Jack Shaheen and Kathy Najimi.

This year’s event, titled “Embracing Diversity, Engaging Communities,” will include keynote speaker Edward James Olmos. Olmos is a Mexican American actor, producer, Academy Award winner and activist who has starred in numerous films including “Stand and Deliver” and “Selena.” Most recently he starred on a season of the Showtime series “Dexter.”

3D Consulting & Communications President Siham Awada Jaafar tells The Arab American News that the organization is excited to host the actor at the upcoming conference.  

“Edward James Olmos is someone who is noted, someone who is very passionate and has a history of bringing communities together,” said Jaafar. “It’s been a couple years in the making to get him here. He is a passionate individual and a wonderful speaker. He has a passion for this kind of conversation. I’m honored that he found value in ‘Images and Perceptions’ and wanted to come be with us in metro Detroit.”

Mayor Jack O’Reilly will also be in attendance at the event to present Olmos with a key to the city. 

Also scheduled to appear at conference will be Sayed Badreya, a producer and filmaker who starred in recent hit moves that include “Iron Man” and “You Don’t Mess with the Zohan.” Poet and author Suheir Hammad, Assistant Wayne County Executive and former NAACP President Heaster L. Wheeler, Wayne State University Dean Dr. Matthew Seeger and Diversity Educator and writer Frances Kai-Hwa-Wang will be among the speakers at the conference as well.  

In recent years, the conference has also been able to expand outside of Detroit. In 2011, 3D Consulting introduced the platform to the Chicago region with assistance from that city’s mayoral office and the University of Chicago. They are scheduled to hold their 3rd annual event in that region this December.

For the Detroit event this April, 3D Consulting has partnered with the University of Michigan-Dearborn , the NAACP and the Radius of Arab American Writers (RAWI), among other organizations, to produce the event. 

Jaafar tells The Arab American News that the annual conference has been a consistent platform over the years for communities to unite on similarities and understand each other’s challenges. The conference aims to represent communities that include Arab Americans, African Americans, Latin Americans and Asian Americans. 

“Images and Perceptions has been a labor of love for the last 11 years. We want to create a conversation and atmosphere that transcends beyond boundaries and beyond cultural and ethnic differences. We have so much common grounds as diverse communities and we should celebrate those things that bring us together,” Jaafar adds. 

The annual conference has also been a direct source for building bridges with African American and Hispanic American communities. Through the conference, the communities have been able to create programs together. 

“When you fear something, you don’t approach it.  But once you understand it, you will appreciate it. The actual collaborations that have been happening are tremendous and that’s what fuels us to do it every year. People walk out with a renewed sense of perception and a more positive way in dealing with diverse communities,” Jaafar says.  

3D Consulting and the ‘Images and Perceptions’ conference was recognized by CorpMagazine  with the 2013 Champion of Diversity Award, which was presented at a gala in August 2013.  In Chicago, the organization also presented an ‘Excellence in Diversity Award’ in a collaborative effort with the Governor of Illinois to honor the Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights. 

Like previous years, several seats at the upcoming conference will be allocated to students from the University of Michigan and the University of Chicago who may wish to attend for credit fulfillments. 

To register for the upcoming event taking place on Thursday, April 10, from 8:30 a.m. – 4:00 p.m., visit www.3dconsults.com/. Prices vary depending on party size. Student discounts are also offered. Breakfast and lunch will be served at the event.