2007 Speakers:

KEYNOTE SPEAKER
Brian Graden - President of Entertainment, MTV Networks Music Group and LOGOAs President of Entertainment, Mr. Graden leads and provides programming oversight to all the MTVN music networks including MTV, VH1, MTV2 and CMT. In this capacity, all music, news, specials, production, series development and artist relations teams for the individual music channels report to him. As Logo’s President, he is responsible for all aspects of the channel created specifically for the LGBT audience. Additionally, Mr. Graden also provides programming strategy and expertise for MTV’s extensive international development efforts.

SPECIAL GUEST SPEAKER
Joe Solmonese - President, Human Rights Campaign - Throughout the years, Solmonese has worked with HRC and supported the organization. A member of the HRC Federal Club, Solmonese has assisted in training HRC’s Youth College as well as the development staff and has strategized with political staff around endorsement decisions. Finally, in campaigns around the country, Solmonese has often worked closely with HRC staff and local volunteers on the ground.

SPECIAL GUEST PRESENTER
Donna Rose - Donna Rose is a nationally recognized author, speaker, and advocate for transgender and transsexual issues.  She is the first and only openly transgender member of the Human Rights Campaign Board of Directors, where she also serves as National Co-Chair for Diversity and is a member of the HRC Business Council.  She is on the Out and Equal Transgender Advisory Committee, and is on the Board of Advisors for the National Center for Transgender Equality (NCTE). 

MISTRESS OF CEREMONIES
Vicki Yates - For the second year, Vicki Yates will be serving as MC of The Equality Dinner.

When Vicki Yates brings you the news every night at 6 o'clock, you are benefitting from nearly two decades of experience and award-winning reporting.  Her career began in Detroit, Michigan in 1973 while still attending college with Michigan's number one minority newspaper, The  Michigan Chronicle. Before joining the NewsChannel 5 team, Vicki anchored and reported at KDKA-TV in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Vicki's accomplishments have earned her such honors as Black Achiever of 1982. Her work as reporter, writer, and producer of the mini-documentary, "Bundles of Joy," also won her an Emmy. She won another Emmy in 1996 for a special program about the life of Wilma Rudolph, and her third in 2004.  When Vicki isn't helping keep Nashville informed, she's keeping up with her three children - her daughter, Torri, and her twin sons, Alix and Maxx.