Registration 5:00pm-6:00pm
Welcome & Keynote Session 6:00pm-7:15pm
Session Title: The Advocate’s Journey: A Marathon that Must Continue Keynote Speaker: Jarrod Benjamin Room: Audubon Room (Danna Center 223)
Breakfast 8:00am-9:00am
Session Block I 9:15am-10:30am
Session A Workshop Title: Movin’ On Up: Acknowledging the Power of Black Entrepreneurship in the U.S. Presenter: Franziska Miles Room: Audubon Room (Danna Center 223) Description: This presentation addresses the need for inclusion in higher education and courses that are reflective of the student body. As Black students continue the path to graduation, it is crucial text and classroom practices service their best interest. Black entrepreneurship is at an all-time high and continues to increase revenue, however, there are few existing courses that highlight this topic. This subject is crucial to prepare future Black entrepreneurs and enhance university knowledge of the barriers and triumphs in Black communities as it connects to opportunity. Movin’ On Up will discuss truths and experiences of Black entrepreneurs as they created their sense of security.
Session B Workshop Title: H.E.A.L. (High Expectations Accelerate Learning): Man in the Mirror Mindset Presenter: Dr. Jeff Flanigan Room: Octavia Room 217 (Danna Center) Description: This session is focused on recruiting more people of color into K-12 public education. Educational data shows that 2 of the absolute top factors in student achievement are 1) Teacher Quality and 2) High Teacher Expectations. As the popular song by Michael Jackson says, “I’m starting with the Man in the Mirror…..if you wanna make the world a better place take a look at YOURSELF and then make a change!” We need more educators of color at every level of education, but definitely K-12. Educational studies have also noted that teachers of color help close achievement gaps for students of color. We need to look from within the ranks of or undergraduate leaders of color on campuses throughout the United States.
Session C Workshop Title: Building Communities of Resistance: Mattering Beyond the Margins Presenters: Corey Martin Fitzgerald Room: Danna Center 215 Description: In this session, participants will be invited to engage in a critique of belonging practices within higher education, and discuss ways we may shift the paradigm of Black student belonging for both students and staff.
Break 10:30am – 10:45am
Session Block II 10:45am – 12:00PM
Session A Workshop Title: Scholarships As a Side Hustle? Presenter: India Prather, Esq. Room: Audubon Room (Danna C enter223) Description: How much will you owe in student loans after 4 years? Scholarship Expert, India Prather, will discuss how you can stop taking out loans and start winning scholarships! She will also give you the tools you need to help you quickly find scholarships and eliminate hours of research. Even more exciting, India will remove the mystery behind winning scholarships, teaching you what judges are looking for and how to build strong essays that win! Join India and get ready to learn about scholarships!
Session B Workshop Title: U Good, Bro?! – Taking Off the Mask to True Liberation Presenter: Jasmin Spain Room: Octavia Room 217 (Danna Center) Description: U Good, Bro?! convening is a solution focused approach designed to provide a private, safe and brave space for transparency, vulnerability, and liberation. It’s a space where it’s okay to say you’re not okay, but also a space for accountability. This is a non-judgmental zone with those who fellowship and embrace the realities of being a male of color, strategizing how to navigate through critical areas to be better examples of what healthy manhood is. Operating from #MENtalHEALthMoveMENt, the emphasis is that MEN HEAL MEN. The goal is when asked, U Good, Bro?!, you can say yes and mean it!
Session C Workshop Title: Breakthrough Leadership, Breakthrough Results; Strategies for Working with and Among Difficult People Presenter: Dr. Reginald R. Williams, Sr. Room: Danna Center 215 Description: “Tipping Points”—A book by Malcolm Gladwell discussed how an epidemic could spread quickly across a city, state, or even country. This epidemic can be of a negative or positive influence. See how the principal at Kirby High School put Malcolm Gladwell book to use at a school he inherited on November 26, 2006. Putting parameters in place to address those “Tipping Points” allowed the ‘New” Kirby High as he affectionately calls it make AYP in his first full year. School officials must know how to de-escalate situations not escalate them. Dr. Williams has received many honors and awards and made over 100 presentations locally, across the state of Tennessee, regionally, and nationally. The award about which he is most proud is a team award: Kirby High was awarded the EPIC Gold award three years in a row (2007-2008, 2008-2009, 2009-2010) for outstanding academic achievement and EPIC Silver award (2010-2011). Furthermore, Kirby High was also recognized by USA NEWS TODAY as a bronze school for Best High Schools in America in 2013 and the state of Tennessee recognized Kirby High as a Reward school in 2014. That signifies that Kirby High was recognized as one of the top 5% schools in the state of Tennessee for academic achievement. Dr. Williams has recently published two books entitled “The 7 Keys to Success: A Comprehensive Guide for Urban School Development and Strategies for Working with and Among Difficult People.
Lunch: Danna Center (St. Charles Room) 12:00pm-1:00pm
Session Block III 1:15pm-2:30pm
Session A Workshop Title: I’m Not Sorry! – Ending our Unhealthy Relationship With I’m Sorry Presenter: Ayannah Johnson, M.A. Ed Room: Audubon Room (Danna Center 223) Description: We often say some variation of “sorry” for trivial and unnecessary reasons. This can undermine our efficacy as leaders, advocates, and activists. The overuse and misuse of “sorry” can also result in minimizing others’ confidence in our ideas and abilities. Often, those in positions of privilege are less likely to apologize, even when it is appropriate. In this session, we will explore the appropriate use of the words and how to evaluate when to truly apologize. It is not about changing who you are rather it is about being intentional in how you show up.
Session B Workshop Title: “Do It All” Presenter: Kyla Turner Room: Octavia Room 217 (Danna Center) Description: In the process of chasing your dream, you will start to see that your dream may not consist of only one goal. The more you start to list your goals, the more impossible it seems to be from the outside world. The reason why a lot of people may not understand your vision is because only you can see it, and that is perfectly fine. When executing your vision, it is important to learn necessary fundamentals such as multitasking, balance, time management, and learning the differences between a fixed mindset and a growth mindset.
Session C Workshop Title: Blackballed Lecture on Campus Racism Presenters: Lawrence Ross Room: Danna Center 215 Description: The Blackballed Campus Racism lecture is one of the most popular college lectures in the country. Frank and blunt, while also entertaining and educational, the Blackballed lecture always engages the students, administrators, and faculty, as they see the various issues with race and racism on college campuses nationwide.
Saturday Closing Workshop 2:45pm-4:00pm
Workshop Title: Reflections and Connections Presenters: Black Students Lead Conference Team Room: Audubon Room (Danna Center 223) Description: Engage in a transformative two-part workshop, “Reflections & Connections,” tailored to enhance your conference experience through deep reflection and meaningful networking. This workshop is especially beneficial for attendees looking to fully integrate their learning and establish valuable connections.
Part 1: Reflections 1. The first session, “Reflections,” focuses on personal introspection. Participants are encouraged to: 2. Reflect on conference learnings. 3. Identify key takeaways and their personal significance. 4. Assess personal and professional growth influenced by new insights. 5. Engage in interactive discussions to broaden perspectives.
Part 2: Connections In “Connections,” the second part of our workshop, we shift our focus to building relationships and continuing conversations. This session offers: 1. Networking Opportunities 2. Continuing Conversations 3. Sharing Learnings 4. Facilitated Group Discussions 5. Collaborative Reflection
Session A Workshop Title: It’s Light, But It May Be Heavy Presenter: LaShatá Grayson Room: Audubon Room (Danna Center 223) Description: Are you tired of being the “strong friend” in your organization? Are you showing up for everyone else, but YOU? Are you providing solutions for your organization, but can’t find time to calm the chaos in your own life down? You must be a magician if you’re able to fill another cup, while yours is empty! Honestly, you can’t afford to WAIT to handle the WEIGHT. This session is designed to help liberate you from the unnecessary weight that you’ve been carrying, so you can become what you were destined to be.
Session B Workshop Title: I Can’t Breathe: Navigating Life and Learning at the Intersection of Black Grief and White Supremacy Presenters: Dr. Jamie Eaddy Room: Octavia Room 217 (Danna Center) Description: Grief impacts every aspect of our lives; it takes our breath away. And often, we are not given the time or space to process grief in healthy ways. This can be especially true for people of African descent. So what happens when we have to swallow our grief? And how does whiteness create or reinforce disenfranchised grief, especially for learners. Join us as we explore the grief impact or our dreaming, creating, learning and overall well-being and identify ways to cultivate space that invites healthy grieving for people of African descent.
Closing 10:45am – 12:00PM
Workshop Title: Campus Action Plan Presenters: Student Leadership Conference Team Room: Audubon Room (Danna Center 223)