Announcing DBEI22 keynote speakers: Sisi Wei and Lam Thuy Vo

Sisi Wei and Lam Thuy Vo — two respected journalists who advocate for diversity, equity and inclusion in news media — will join IRE’s second-annual DBEI Symposium in a joint keynote conversation. 

Wei recently took on the role of Editor in Chief at The Markup, a nonprofit newsroom that investigates how powerful institutions are using technology to change society. Previously, Wei was co-executive director of OpenNews, a community of journalists working to build a more equitable future for journalism. As part of her work, Wei founded the DEI Coalition For Anti-Racist, Equitable, And Just Newsrooms in 2020, and led more than 100 members of the journalism community in co-creating and launching the DEI Coalition Slack space in March 2021.

Vo combines data analysis with on-the-ground reporting to examine how systems and policies affect individuals. She is currently a Soros Justice Fellow, a Type Investigations Ida B. Wells Fellow, a data-journalist-in-residence at the Craig Newmark Graduate School of Journalism, and an IRE board member. She has also worked as an educator, scholar and public speaker for a decade, developing newsroom-wide training programs and workshops for journalists across the US, Asia, Latin America and Europe. Vo co-administers a Slack community for journalists of color and co-created a resource guide for journalists of color looking for career growth, salary data, demographics breakdowns of newsrooms and training opportunities.

“We are thrilled that Sisi and Lam are joining forces to address this year’s symposium attendees,”  said IRE Executive Director Diana Fuentes. “Their dedication to making news and newsrooms more equitable and accessible is inspiring. Sisi and Lam’s leadership help us chart the path toward a more inclusive future for all of us.” 

The DBEI Symposium on diversity, belonging, equity and inclusion, will be held online Oct. 20-21. The symposium will focus on helping journalists with newsroom diversity issues and with investigating inequality in their communities, from education and health care to housing and climate change. More information, including registration and the full schedule, can be found on IRE’s website.

Wei and Vo have impressive resumes spanning more than 20 years of journalism experience. Both are longtime supporters and speakers at IRE and NICAR conferences and events. They are recipients of major journalism awards and have appeared in many national and international news publications. IRE is honored to have these esteemed journalists participate in DBEI22. Their joint address will be held on Oct. 20 at 4:30 p.m. ET.