Brock University’s upcoming Future Black Leaders (FBL) Conference is set to be a powerful platform that amplifies Black voices and inspires the next generation of leaders.

The conference, which takes place on Saturday, March 29, will be the first of its kind at the University. Its goal is to create an empowering environment for Black undergraduate and graduate students to highlight their research through unique panels, workshops and presentations. The conference will also drive conversations about leadership, inclusion, and community impact and provide networking opportunities for participants to connect with like-minded individuals and mentors.

“I’m very excited for the conference and to help push forward this great initiative,” said Graduate Student Conference Director Jada Shand (BA ’24). “The word ‘conference’ can be daunting to a lot of students, but we’re trying to provide a different outlook of what conferences can be and provide attendees with the tools, resources and inspiration to explore the many different options that exist for their academic careers.”

The conference is an initiative of Student Life and Success (SLS) and includes the Black Student Success Centre (BSSC), Learning Services and Student Life.

It is supported by a Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council Connection Grant, which is funded by the Government of Canada, and marks a significant SSHRC funding award for SLS and the first for its newly created BSSC.

Associate Professor of Modern Languages, Literatures and Cultures Jean Ntakirutimana is the Principal Applicant on the grant, supported by Executive Director of Student Life and Success Jenn Skelding; BSSC Manager Monique Beauregard; Curriculum Development Specialist Ashley Grover; and Learning Skills Specialist, Access and Inclusion Sali Moieldin.

Curriculum Development Specialist Ashley Grover (left); Executive Director of Student Life and Success Jenn Skelding; Black Student Success Centre Manager Monique Beauregard; Learning Skills Specialist, Access and Inclusion Sali Moieldin; and Graduate Student Conference Director Jada Shand are part of a team that is bringing the new Future Black Leaders Conference to Brock.

“The FBL project, by being embedded within the local Black communities and by working with them, will put a spotlight on Black leadership, uncovering a kind of leadership that otherwise would go unrecognized or acknowledged,” said Ntakirutimana. “It will also lay a foundation for future similar events and will strengthen future Black leaders at Brock and beyond.”

The conference is inspired by the Bese Saka themes of affluence, power, abundance, and unity and promotes the principles of the Scarborough Charter, of which Brock is a signatory. It also leverages the growing momentum from the BSSC’s broader Future Black Leaders initiative, which provides tailored supports for Black and other equity-deserving secondary students as well as a mentorship program between first year and upper-year Brock students.

In addition to the Brock community, the conference will also welcome local residents and local high school students to attend — many of whom have already formed meaningful connections through the FBL mentorship program.

“High school students have very big ideas and we want to expose them to the conference experience as early as possible to show them the world of possibilities that exist to move forward with those ideas,” said Shand, who is also a first-year Social Justice and Equity Masters student Peer Assistant at the BSSC.

As well as research presentations, the conference will also feature skills development workshops, music, food and networking opportunities. A panel of Brock alumni will also host a panel providing insight on navigating life after graduation, both academically and personally.

The Future Black Leaders Conference takes place in the Sean O’ Sullivan Theatre (TH SOS) from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. It is free to attend but registration is required before Tuesday, March 25. To view a full conference schedule and to register, visit the Future Black Leaders Conference website.