For more than a decade, the Working Mother Best Companies for Multicultural Women initiative has recognized companies that have prioritized the recruitment and advancement of women of color with specific policies and programs. These efforts were celebrated and this year's 25 Best Companies were honored on July 22 and 23 at the 2013 Multicultural Women’s National Conference, which took place at the Marriott Marquis in New York City.

More than 600 attendees, a mix of human resource managers and diverse professionals, converged to exemplify the conference's theme, "Living Out Loud: The Power of Your Story." Participants, who represented African-American/Black, Asian, Latina, LGBT communities and more, were encouraged to share and take pride in the unique cultural experiences that have shaped their lives. 

Highlights of the event: 

• On the morning of Day 1, conference co-chairs Carol Evans, president of Working Mother Media (pictured, left, with IBM VP Angela Archon, who accepted her employer's Best Company award) and Beth Comstock, senior VP and chief marketing officer at GE, kicked off the event with energetic welcome remarks. Lisa Nichols, CEO of business consultancy Motivating the Masses, followed with a humorous yet motivational keynote speech encouraging attendees to think positively and use their stories to impact others.
• At the Legacy Award Luncheon that afternoon, Working Mother presented two women with the award: Ingrid Duran and Catherine Pino, owners of D&P Creative Strategies—partners in work and life—were recognized for their contributions to women and the Hispanic and LGBT communities. 
• Cross-race panels and forums, women’s organizational meetings, a cupcake break and a festive cocktail reception rounded out the first day of the conference.
• On the morning of Day 2, Carol Evans shared findings from the 2013 Working Mother Best Companies for Multicultural Women Executive Summary, which outlines the representation and advancement of women of color at this year's Best Companies. These companies are also featured in the June/July 2013 issue of Working Mother. 
• At the Multicultural Women Awards Luncheon, representatives of the 25 winning companies, including Deloitte, General Mills and KPMG, accepted their awards. Later in the day, participants were treated to a New York–style snack break, complete with pretzels and cheesecake. 
• Throughout the conference, attendees took part in various panels, forums, workshops and leadership talks led by executives, experts and influencers. At the Leadership StoryTalks, speakers and audiences shared about life influencers and overcoming obstacles.

Along with their giftbags, attendees left the conference with a wealth of information, advice and motivation to help them make the most of their diverse backgrounds in the workplace. Carol Evans is confident that women of color will be able use their diverse backgrounds and unique perspectives to enhance and improve their opportunities for advancement: "Our 2013 Best Companies are eager to capture and retain the tremendous talent of multicultural women. They have put in place programs that do that, but more importantly, they are shifting their company culture to unleash the energy that is inherent in a diverse, multidimensional workforce where women can find their most powerful selves."