Final 2023 Multicultural Speaker Series is Wednesday 

Kelly Lao

There is still time to register for the year’s final installment of the Greater Quad Cities Hispanic Chamber of Commerce’s Multicultural Speaker Series going on Wednesday, Nov. 15, at the Putnam Museum and Science Center in Davenport. 

The event — which begins at 11:30 a.m. Wednesday at the Putnam, 1717 W. 12th St. — features speaker Kelly Lao, the Putnam’s vice president of museum experiences, who will speak on the process of how she renewed and re-envisioned a bilingual exhibition that tells the story of the Quad Cities, according to a news release from the GQCHCC. 

Since 1985, the Putnam’s 6,600-square-foot flagship exhibition — previously called River Prairie and People — has told the story of the Quad Cities. 

“Three years ago, we decided it was finally time to take on (the exhibit),” the release states, as it “was not telling a diverse and inclusive story of our region. 

“What started in prototyping and discussion groups with community members such as the NAACP and LULAC Council 10, among others, turned into a full-scale exhibition overhaul.” 

Prior to joining the Putnam, Ms. Lao led the German American Heritage Center and Museum as executive director, according to the release. She also serves on the board of directors for the Iowa Cultural Coalition and on the board for ArtsBasics for the Davenport Community School District. She is associated with the League of Latin American Citizens #10, the American Association of Museums, Midwest Museum Association, Iowa Museum Association, Scott County Historic Preservation Society and the American Association of State and Local History.  

The Multicultural Speaker Series aims to provide an opportunity for individuals and organizations to engage with diverse residents and employees from multiple sectors in the Quad Cities, broaden their networks, and enhance their awareness of diversity issues, according to the release.

Check in and lunch on Wednesday begin at 11:30 a.m., with the program starting at noon. Admission is $15 for members, $20 for future members, $12.50 for students, and $110 for table of eight.  

For more information and to register, visit the event website

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