The Emerging Scholars Leadership Institute (ESLI) at the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff participated in the Unity Summit 2025, a two-day leadership and innovation conference held at the Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art and the Heartland Whole Health Institute in Bentonville in November.
The theme for 2025, “Voices That Shape, Futures That Rise,” reflected the summit’s mission to bridge generations and industries through the pillars of culture, wellness and opportunity, exploring key areas like health and wellness, education and literacy, economic opportunity and media and culture.
The event brought together top-performing students, global executives and leaders from major companies, including Walmart, Netflix, Procter & Gamble, Tyson Foods and Riceland, according to a news release.
The UAPB ESLI, a program sponsored by the Walton Family Foundation, offers intensive leadership training and development for high-achieving students, emphasizing academic excellence, civic engagement and professional growth. The program’s goal is to prepare participants to become ethical, innovative leaders who contribute to the advancement of their communities and industries.
The ESLI Unity Summit delegation included ESLI Executive Director Tim Campbell; Kathy Richards, ESLI associate director of Placement and Assessment; Jillian Cheatham, ESLI associate director of Leadership Development; Frank Dorsey, UAPB dean of Student Involvement and Leadership, and executive assistant to the vice chancellor for Student Affairs; Jermaine Ramos, UAPB administrative analyst; and 19 student fellows of the institute.
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“Being in the room with executives from Netflix, STARZ and Walmart reminded our students that leadership is a living practice; it’s about how you show up, not just what title you hold,” said Campbell.
Richards added, “When students hear directly from people shaping industries, it closes the gap between aspiration and action.”
Cheatham noted, “Conversations around self-care and balance reminded us that success must also include sustainability.”
For students, the experience was transformative.
“It was inspiring to see so many accomplished leaders share their real stories,” said Alexis Smith, a UAPB sophomore Emerging Scholar. “It made me realize I belong in these spaces too.”
Jonathan Ware, a UAPB junior Emerging Scholar majoring in business administration, added, “This showed me that leadership is about serving people and using your platform to open doors for others.”
The summit featured influential voices, including CEO of STARZ Jeffrey Hirsch; Netflix’s former Vice President of Inclusion Verna Myers; Walmart Neighborhood Markets’ former Executive Vice President Kelvin Buncum; and University of Arkansas System President Jay Silveria.
“This experience was more than exposure; it was empowerment,” Dorsey said. “Our Emerging Scholars engaged directly with industry leaders and innovators shaping the future of inclusive leadership. They weren’t just in the room; they were equipped to lead in it.”
Students participated in sessions focused on health and wellness, education and literacy, economic opportunity and media and culture. Workshops and executive discussions explored topics such as leadership development, storytelling and brand identity, artificial intelligence in workforce alignment and wellness-driven performance.
“The energy in Bentonville was electric,” Campbell said. “Our students didn’t just attend; they contributed, asked sharp questions, and represented UAPB with excellence.”
Supported by the Walton Family Foundation, the Emerging Scholars Leadership Institute prepares first-generation students for leadership through mentorship, internships, and experiential learning. By participating in spaces like the Unity Summit, ESLI ensures that its scholars are not only seen but also heard, helping to shape the next generation of Arkansas leaders, according to the news release.
Founded by John Gaiters, CEO of Unity Brands Management, the Unity Summit continues to unite diverse voices around shared values of progress, creativity and purpose. Through his vision, the summit has become a national platform where executives, artists and emerging leaders collaborate to inspire real change, according to the news release.
The Unity Summit Advisory Board included executives such as Wade Davis, global vice president of inclusion strategy at Netflix; Marc S. Pritchard, chief brand officer at Procter & Gamble; and Buncum.
Details: UAPB Office of Student Involvement and Leadership at OSIL@uapb.edu or (870) 575-8866.
