CMCA Conference at a glance

Registration is now open for OCSEA's annual Minority and Community Affairs Committee (CMCA) Conference, which will take place on Saturday March 22, 2025, with pre-conference events, contract training and early check-in on Friday, March 21. The conference will take place at The Renaissance Hotel, 409 Altair Parkway, Westerville, Ohio 43082. 

Evening-before conference registration and events will take place on Friday evening, March 21 starting at 5:30 p.m. through 8:30 p.m. at the hotel. This includes New Contract Training from 6-9 p.m. Look for training registration information coming soon.

The full CMCA conference will begin Saturday morning at the hotel with guest speakers and lunch. The event will include vendors as well. View the official CMCA Conference Call Letter here. The CMCA Conference Call was mailed to all chapter, district council and assembly presidents in January 2025.

The conference theme is “Planting the Seeds for the Future,” focusing on building tools and skills to grow the labor movement in the future.

Registration

Click HERE for the registration form. The registration form and payment deadline has been extended to March 14, 2025!

The CMCA Conference registration fee is $100 per OCSEA member. Breakfast and lunch on Saturday are included in the cost of registration. Payment must accompany the completed and returned registration form.

RETURN registration forms and payment to:
ATTN: CMCA Conference 2025, Kiere Miller
OCSEA, 390 Worthington Rd. Suite A,
Westerville, OH 43082

The conference registration deadline has been extended to March 14, 2025, and no refunds will be issued after that date.

Special Requests and Accommodations

Extra Meals

If you need to purchase extra meals for the conference, indicate on the registration form. Payment must be included at the time of registration. The cost of extra meals, including kid meals, on presented on the registration form. Extra meals bust be purchased by the March 14 deadline and should be included with your payment. Extra meals purchases WILL NOT be permitted at the conference.

Agenda

Get full agenda HERE

Hotel

The CMCA Conference will take place at The Renaissance Columbus Westerville-Polaris Hotel, 409 Altair Parkway, Westerville, Ohio 43082. ATTENTION: Rooms at The Renaissance Columbus Westerville-Polaris are SOLD OUT!

If you still need to make a hotel reservation, the following back up hotel is available: Fairfield Inn, 9000 Worthington Rd., Westerville, OH 43082 | Phone: (614) 568-0770

The room rate is $110 plus tax. When calling, you must mention that you are State of Ohio/government employee to receive the government rate. Please note: Car travel to the conference will be necessary if booking an overnight at the Fairfield Inn. 

Contact

Have questions about the conference? Email Angela Harrington at aharrington@ocsea.org. Angela can also be reached by phone at 614-508-2247.

Speakers

Javan Reed

Javan Reed is the Vice President of Academic Affairs at Simmons College of Kentucky. He is the immediate past Assistant Vice President for Extended Education at Wiley College. He has also led distance learning at one of the nation's oldest Historically Black Universities (HBCU), Wilberforce University. Additionally, he is the founder of Fashion Forward Inc., a world-renowned fashion house. He holds degrees from Edward Waters University and Nova Southeastern University and a PhD in Urban Higher Education from Jackson State University. His passion for educational excellence is evident, as he has created countless curriculum platforms that have benefitted thousands of students. Javan is an ardent HBCU supporter and advocate for marginalized students. 

Derek Grosso

Derek Grosso is a seasoned entrepreneur, community-builder, and visionary leader dedicated to fostering collaboration and empowering membership-based organizations. As the founder and CEO of the Columbus Young Professionals (CYP) Club, established in 2005, Derek has grown the organization into the nation's largest association for young professionals, boasting over 20,000 members. Under his leadership, the CYP Club has transformed into a dynamic force for advancing careers, community, conversations, and culture across Ohio. Under Derek's leadership, the CYP Club and its various initiatives have fostered thousands of personal and professional connections, volunteered over 100,000 hours, and raised more than $750,000 for Ohio charities. Derek is a sought-after speaker and thought leader on engaging and empowering young professionals. His insights have inspired audiences at renowned organizations such as Cardinal Health, JPMorgan Chase, Honda, and The Ohio State University.