University of Michigan Hosted OUTx Event
The Ross School of Business featured five speakers sharing their experiences as LGBTQ+ individuals.
Updated on Oct. 9, 2026 in LGBTQand
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The University of Michigan Ross School of Business hosted the OUTx event, which brought together approximately 100 attendees. Organized by Out for Business, the gathering featured five speakers who shared their professional and personal experiences under the theme "We're still here."
Why it matters
The event aimed to highlight and support the LGBTQ+ community within the university's business environment. It provided a platform for professionals to discuss their unique perspectives and journeys in the corporate and public sectors.
Approximately 100 students, faculty, and community members gathered for the presentation. Five speakers took the stage to share their personal and professional experiences during the event.
The players
Shalanda Baker
She is the former director of the Office of Economic Impact and Diversity at the U.S. Department of Energy and an advocate for LGBTQ+ representation.
Out for Business
This organization serves as the student group at the University of Michigan responsible for coordinating events that support LGBTQ+ members.
The details
Keynote speaker Shalanda Baker shared her journey, including her tenure as director of the Office of Economic Impact and Diversity at the U.S. Department of Energy. Baker also discussed her military service and honorable discharge under the Don't Ask, Don't Tell policy, as well as her transition away from a corporate law career in 2008.
Timeline
The OUTx event took place on October 8, 2026.
Shalanda Baker resigned from her corporate lawyer position in 2008.
Culture Shift
The event reflects a broader trend of integrating advocacy into professional educational environments, moving beyond legacy policies like the Don't Ask, Don't Tell policy. It highlights how institutions are increasingly fostering spaces for diverse personal narratives to shape future business leaders.
The event provides local Ann Arbor community members and students with opportunities for professional networking and inclusive discourse. Participants gain access to personal stories that may inform their own career paths and advocacy efforts.
The takeaway
Events like OUTx demonstrate the importance of institutional support in creating safe spaces for professional storytelling. Encouraging transparency about personal journeys can significantly shift workplace culture for future generations.
Further reading
For more context on ongoing advocacy efforts in the area, visit the LGBTQand section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by The Michigan Daily.
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