CNN Legal Analyst and best-selling author Laura Coates carefully considered her response to a question from the audience at TD Bank's inaugural Black History Month Summit about what advice she would give to her younger self.
"Be braver sooner," she said.
Laura was the featured speaker at the event attended by 200 people in Mount Laurel. She spoke about her career, the meaning of Black Excellence to her and many of the challenges she faced, including her first court case that came about unexpectedly and the journey from being a lawyer to a network legal analyst. Other topics included her surprise when game show host Alex Trebek said she was his pick to take over his role on Jeopardy.
The summit, which focused on the themes of Black Excellence and Legacy, included Laura and a number of the Banks's executives, including TD Bank President and CEO Greg Braca, Kelley Cornish, Global Head of Diversity and Inclusion, Allen Love, Head Fraud Risk Management and Global Security & Investigations, U.S. BSA Officer , an executive panel discussion, and interviews. It also had a brainstorming session so that each attendee at the event could participate.
Regina McWilliams, a TD Bank Store Manager in Union, NJ, and Ronell McDaniel, a TD Bank Store Manager in Nutley, NJ, made the long drive from Northern New Jersey to attend this event. Regina considered it a very informative event and enjoyed the opportunity to participate in the brainstorming session.
"It helps both with networking and personal growth," Ronnell said. "I hope there are more events like this in the future."