Ethnic GEM: Carole Copeland Thomas
“A Global Voice for Diversity and Change”
Carole Copeland Thomas
Submitted by Ethnic Online Editorial Team
For more than 38 years, Carole Copeland Thomas has been a powerful voice for diversity, equity, and inclusion — captivating audiences around the globe with her passion for cultural collaboration and empowerment. An internationally recognized keynote speaker, thought leader, and cross-cultural strategist, Carole has built a career rooted in purpose, resilience, and community.
From Detroit to Boston: A Journey of Service and Leadership
Born in Detroit, Michigan, Carole grew up in a home that modeled excellence and global perspective. Her mother, Gwendolyn Charleston Copeland, was a lifelong educator fluent in multiple languages, while her father, Wilson A. Copeland, was an international businessman and Tuskegee Airman during World War II. She and her brother, Attorney Wilson A. Copeland II, were both born at Burton Mercy Hospital — one of the few Black hospitals operating during segregation.
In 1981, Carole relocated to Boston with her three children and then-husband, who served as the Senior Pastor at the historic Charles Street AME Church. It was in New England that Carole’s entrepreneurial and leadership journey would truly flourish.
Building a Global Platform
After years of success in direct sales and corporate America, Carole launched her own business in 1987, driven by her desire to help others enhance their personal and professional lives. Since then, she has spoken in nearly every U.S. state and in nine other countries — including England, Canada, Kenya, India, Guyana, Japan, El Salvador, South Africa, and Australia — and has visited more than 32 countries across six continents
Carole’s signature presentation, “Facing Fear,” delivered at TEDx Waltham, showcases her gift for inspiring audiences to embrace courage and transformation. Beyond her speaking career, she served as Interim Vice President and Chief Diversity Officer at Curry College in Milton, Massachusetts, where she advanced campus-wide diversity initiatives.
A Visionary for Multicultural Connection
Carole’s influence extends beyond the podium. She is the founder of the Multicultural Symposium Series, a global forum designed to promote multicultural understanding and inclusion. During the pandemic, she pivoted the event into a Worldwide Multicultural Conference, connecting 62 speakers from 12 countries across six continents. Her upcoming 2025 Multicultural Conference will continue this global mission.
In 2021, she co-founded the US–UK Summit on Race, a transatlantic initiative addressing racism and racial violence. Fourteen virtual events have already been held, including a Juneteenth 2025 Summit honoring the life of George Floyd and exploring international strategies for racial justice
Commitment to Education and Lifelong Learning
An honors graduate of Emory University, Carole went on to earn her MBA from Northeastern University as a Martin Luther King, Jr. Fellow. She holds professional designations as a Certified Diversity Meeting Professional (CDMP) and Certified International Tour Manager (CITM) — earning top honors in her class.
Carole’s career also includes a decade of teaching at Bentley University, and she continues to inspire through her writing, consulting, and technology-driven training for diverse audiences, including her latest initiative: teaching Artificial Intelligence (AI) to Seasoned Learners
Mentorship, Awards, and Community Impact
Guided by strong mentors such as her mother and Juanita Abernathy (wife of civil rights leader Rev. Ralph David Abernathy), Carole has upheld a lifelong commitment to mentorship and community service. She is a lifetime member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, serves on the Executive Board of Meet Boston, and chairs its Multicultural Committee.
In August 2016, Carole received the Jackie Robinson Community Leadership Award at Fenway Park, a moment she describes as one of her most cherished recognitions — sharing the field with other honorees, including the late Professor Charles Ogletree
A Legacy of Love and Family
Beyond her public accomplishments, Carole treasures her role as a mother and grandmother. She is the proud mother of Dr. Lorna Thomas Farquharson, Michelle Thomas Monteiro, and the late Mickarl D. Thomas, Jr., and delights in her granddaughters Julianna Gwendolyn and Gabrielle Jaeda Farquharson.
Looking Ahead
In the next five years, Carole envisions herself fully engaged in speaking, training, and developing cross-cultural content, continuing to empower audiences while bridging cultures across the globe. Her motto remains clear: Build community, celebrate diversity, and never stop learning.