DEI Coffee & Conversations

Join ILEA for a welcoming Coffee & Conversation focused on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, with this month’s discussion centered on Cultural Competency in Weddings and Events.

Together, we will explore how cultural nuances shape guest experience and vendor relationships, and how event professionals can approach traditions with respect and intention. This conversation will also cover practical ways to research and honor different cultural practices without crossing into appropriation, along with how to ask clients open-ended, respectful questions about their heritage and expectations.

No lectures. No pressure to have it all figured out. Just meaningful conversation, thoughtful listening, and real insights you can take into your work.

We bring the coffee, and you bring your curiosity and your voice. Let’s move the conversation and our community forward.

Meet the Speakers

A curated group of industry leaders bringing diverse perspectives, real experience, and meaningful insight to the conversation.

Sonam Khatau

Founder & Creative Director, Emerald Events by Sonam

Sonam Khatau is a Chicago-based luxury wedding planner specializing in South Asian and multicultural celebrations. With over a decade of experience, she is known for blending cultural tradition with modern, elevated design to create immersive and meaningful wedding experiences.

Her global background includes Bollywood art direction in Mumbai, theater set design in London, and luxury hospitality roles in Chicago at The Drake Hotel and The Langham Chicago. This diverse experience informs her storytelling-led approach to event design.

In this session, Sonam will share insights into South Asian weddings, including cultural rituals, production flow, and guest experience, offering valuable perspective for event professionals working in multicultural spaces.

Shaun Rajah

Lead Planner, Events by Shaun Rajah

Shaun Rajah is the founder and creative force behind a premier destination wedding atelier, recognized by Loverly as one of the world’s top luxury wedding planners. Known for his refined attention to detail and commitment to excellence, he creates deeply personal, meticulously executed celebrations that set a new standard in luxury events.

With over two decades in luxury hospitality, Shaun has held senior leadership roles at The Langham Chicago and The Drake Hotel, where he served as Director of Catering. These experiences shaped his signature approach to service, precision, and elevated guest experience.

Today, he blends hospitality expertise with a strong design sensibility to create weddings that feel effortless, intentional, and culturally resonant. By limiting the number of events he takes on each year, he ensures every celebration receives a fully bespoke level of care.

In this session, Shaun will share insights on luxury event design, cultural nuance, and the role of intentional hospitality in creating unforgettable guest experiences.

K. Carlton

Founder & CEO, K. Carlton, Inc.

K. Carlton is an accomplished Event Producer, Travel Curator, and Wedding Planner with over 20 years of industry expertise. She leads a full-service event, wedding, and travel planning company known for delivering unforgettable experiences across 20 markets, including Chicago, New York, Los Angeles, and New Orleans.

Her work includes collaborations with the E.O. Wilson Foundation, CEDA, Hilton Hotels, GirlTrek, and Chicago DCASE, consistently creating experiences that leave a lasting impression.

Featured in publications such as Chicago Tribune, Vogue, and CNN, K. Carlton is recognized as a trailblazer in her field. She has received accolades from the National Society of Black Wedding and Events Professionals, Lady Boss Round Table, the Black Women’s Professional League 40 Under 40, and the Hustle Mommies Mompreneur Council.

She is also a sought-after speaker on topics including brand reputation and entrepreneurship, advocating for equity and inclusion within the industry.

Beyond her professional success, she is a passionate advocate for Black-owned, women-owned, minority-owned, and small local businesses, using her platform to champion their recognition and growth.

With a commitment to excellence and a passion for creating meaningful experiences, K. Carlton continues to make a lasting impact across the events industry.

Chef Dozzy Ibekwe

Founder & Chef Concierge, Dozzy’s Grill + Chi-Town Jollof

Chef Dozzy Ibekwe is the Founder and Chef Concierge of Dozzy’s Grill + Chi-Town Jollof, a Chicago-based West African hospitality company known for creating cultural dining experiences rooted in community, storytelling, and intentional hospitality.

With nearly three decades of luxury hospitality experience spanning Four Seasons Hotels and The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company, Chef Dozzy blends service excellence with the traditions and culinary influence he learned growing up in Nigeria alongside his grandmother, Mama Nnukwu.

In 2025, he was recognized by the African Global Chamber of Commerce with the Culinary Champion Award for his contributions to hospitality and African culinary culture in Chicago.

In this session, Chef Dozzy will share insight into the role food and hospitality play in cultural celebrations, offering perspective on guest experience, cultural traditions, and creating meaningful connections through shared dining experiences.