Naturally Chicago is our region's trade association for businesses working to build a better food and natural products industry. And we cannot build a truly better food industry unless our business ecosystem is as diverse, equitable and inclusive as possible.

To advance that purpose, Naturally Chicago presents a free webinar, Connecting with Retail Buyers Through Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Programs, on Tuesday, June 6 at 3:30 p.m. central time.

The webinar is co-presented by (included), a membership collective for BIPOC top executives in CPG who are dedicated to one another's success, who advocate for diverse representation, and who commit to amplifying BIPOC voices and brands in our industry.

The webinar will highlight the great work being done by programs that provide intensive learning experiences and technical assistance to BIPOC entrepreneurs — including the M/O (Minority-Owned) Fellowship created by Naturally Network, which has nine chapters across the United States, including Naturally Chicago.

The topic will be illuminated by a panel of business leaders: moderator Nona Lim, whose self-named company in Oakland, Calif., makes fresh, clean-label Asian bone broths, soups, rice and ramen noodles; Chicago's Stephanie Morimoto, CEO/owner of the Asutra self-care products company; Toyin Kolawole, founder/CEO of West African-themed Iya Foods based in suburban Naperville; Amanda Puck, Director of Strategic Brand Development at Mariano's; and Le'Spencer Walker, Director of Merchandising Vendor Development for Minneapolis-based Target.

Join us for what is sure to be an informative and impactful discussion.