Rutgers University–Camden School of Business – 7th Annual Business Symposium
Dr. Walter E. Copeland II will serve as a panelist at the Rutgers University–Camden School of Business 7th Annual Business Symposium, where he will share insights on leadership, innovation, and career readiness in an evolving economy.
Dr. Walter E. Copeland II Featured Speaker Rutgers–Camden School of Business – 7th Annual Business Symposium, sharing insights on leadership, Innovation, and career readiness in an evolving economy.”
Rutgers University–Camden School of Business – 7th Annual Business Symposium-Panelist-Dr. Walter E. Copeland II
I am honored to be a featured speaker at the 7th Annual Business Symposium hosted by the Rutgers–Camden School of Business, titled Careers Disrupted: Thriving in an Innovation Driven Economy.
This event will bring together leaders from business, education, and workforce development to discuss how innovation, technology, and economic shifts are transforming the future of work. During the symposium, I will be speaking on the topic:
“Careers Disrupted Is Not the Crisis: Career Readiness Is.”
My presentation will focus on how professionals and students can position themselves to thrive in a rapidly changing economy by developing adaptable skills, strategic thinking, and a mindset focused on lifelong learning and innovation.
The symposium will take place:
Thursday, April 9, 2026
12:30 PM – 3:30 PM
Rutgers–Camden Campus Center
Multi Purpose Room (MPR)
This event will feature a dynamic group of speakers including Chiamaka Stellamaris Nwede, Jeff Hornstein, and Autumn Carter, who will each share insights on innovation, talent development, and career strategy in today’s evolving workforce.
I look forward to participating in this important conversation and engaging with students, professionals, and community members who are preparing for the next generation of leadership and opportunity.
CALLING ALL YOUNG MEN !!!!!
Men’s Collegiate Leadership Summit is coming to Lincoln University on Saturday, March 7th, 2026, and registration is now open.
Hosted by 100 Black Men of Philadelphia Inc and Collegiate 100 of Lincoln University, this one-day professional development experience is designed to support college men as they explore leadership, identity, and personal responsibility on their campuses and in their communities.
From 8 AM to 5 PM, participants will engage in interactive workshops, facilitated discussions, and peer engagement that challenge them to think critically about equity, ethics, and social impact while building practical leadership skills they can apply immediately.
I will serve as a panelist on the Special Guest Panel focused on mentoring, leadership, economic empowerment, and health and wellness. Looking forward to connecting with students and helping reinforce what matters most: self-awareness, accountability, and inclusive leadership that leads with integrity in academic, professional, and civic spaces.
Registration is required, and space is limited.
Scan the QR code on the flyer or click the button below to register.
Men's Collegiate Leadership Summit
Men's Collegiate Leadership Summit
Black History Month Luncheon & Keynote Speaker, Dr. Walter E. Copeland II, Feb. 4, 2026
Community College of Philadelphia
Full Keynote Speech and Segment are provided below.
Full Keynote Speech 12:59, Community College of Philadelphia, February 4, 2026. Introduction provided by An Alumnus and mentee, Larry Carroll.
Black History Month Luncheon and Keynote, Dr. Copeland
Community College of Philadelphia
Our Song, Our Story, Black Music in America
Click to view the full itinerary
Our Song, Our Story: Black Music in America
Wednesday, Feb. 4 | 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
Winnet Student Life Building, Great Hall, Room S2 19
Join us for an interactive Black History Month experience exploring the transformative journey of Black music in America. From spirituals and the blues to jazz, soul, and hip hop, this multimedia keynote highlights how Black artists have used music as a force for survival, resistance, innovation, and joy.
Keynote speaker Dr. Walter E. Copeland, professor in the Division of Business and Technology, will spotlight Philadelphia’s powerful influence on Black music, featuring The Sound of Philadelphia, The Roots, Patti LaBelle, and today’s emerging artists. The program includes guided reflection and group discussion on music’s role in social movements, cultural identity, and personal expression.
Schedule
Program: 11:30 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Lunch: 12 to 1:30 p.m. (Tables will be released for the buffet to keep the line moving smoothly.)
Complimentary luncheon menu includes chicken stew with African seasonings, jollof rice, fried catfish, and sweet potato pie.
Click the link to Register
About the Keynote Speaker
Dr. Walter E. Copeland II focuses on leadership, education, and public health with an emphasis on equity, access, and community empowerment. His work explores how culture, storytelling, and lived experience shape identity, resilience, and social change. He is committed to creating spaces where students and community members can reflect, learn, and engage in meaningful dialogue that connects history to present-day realities.
Guided Conversations Follow-Up with , Dr. Copeland
Monday, Feb. 9 | 12 to 1 p.m.
Pavilion Building, Klein Cube
This follow-up session with Dr. Copeland continues the conversation from the keynote through a student-centered, facilitated dialogue. Students will explore Black history, music, and what success looks like for them while connecting personal experience to academic and career goals. Light refreshments will be served.
Click the link to Register
4-5 minute Segment of the keynote Speech Event, Black History Month, Our Story, Our Song
Guest Lecturer, Rutgers Univ
During this session, Dr. Walter E Copeland II speaks with emerging scholars about the art of translating complex research into language that informs, resonates, and moves communities to action. While academic credentials signal expertise, true impact is measured by one’s ability to communicate clearly across diverse audiences — from dissertation committees and journals to policymakers, media, and the public. This talk emphasizes message clarity, accessibility, and purpose beyond titles, preparing doctoral candidates to share their work in ways that influence both scholarship and society.
Octavius V. Catto
At the Octavius V. Catto Conference, I spoke on the idea of being “Built for This,” a reminder that Black communities, Black leaders, and Black men in particular are not defined by deficit but by endurance, brilliance, and inherited strength. I connected this theme to health equity and leadership, showing how systemic barriers, mistrust in healthcare, and limited access do not erase our capacity to lead, heal, innovate, and advocate for our own well-being. “Built for This” was presented not as a motivational slogan but as a lived truth. It reflects the history of surviving inequality, navigating bias in medical systems, and still pushing forward to redesign care, elevate wellness literacy, and open doors that tradition once closed. The message centered on reclaiming autonomy over health, redefining our narrative, and stepping into leadership with the understanding that we are not waiting to be validated. We are already equipped.