Ignite social justice and leadership conferenceThe Ignite Conference is an annual one-day conference-style social justice program that is designed for students to learn, have dialogue, network and engage in a brave space together. 

The 2023 Ignite Social Justice & Leadership Conference theme is Learn Today, Lead Tomorrow, Create the Future! Join us as we inspire students to Ignite sparks that will fan the flames of change for future generations. This year’s theme focuses on empowering students at any stage of their leading, learning and social justice journeys to create a positive impact on the future. By participating in the Ignite Conference, students will gain valuable skills in fostering social change, building communities of coalition, and shaping and evolving their leadership styles.

The conference will be held in-person from 9 a.m.-2 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 21, 2023 in Kittredge Central.

Questions or concerns? Please contact Nicole Laverty. Thank you for your continued support.

2023 Conference Schedule

Download the program

Registration and breakfast | 9-9:30 a.m. 

Opening Remarks | 9:30-9:45 a.m. 

Session 1 breakouts | 9:45-10:30 a.m. 

  • Authentically Me: The Best-Self Developmental Course with speaker Fred Hodges Jr. (he/him/his)

  • Revolution is Not a One Time Event: Seven Stages of Conocimiento with speaker Sonja Benton (they/them/theirs)

  • True Colors: Leading Beyond the Classroom with speaker Ysatiz Piñero (she/her/hers/ella)

Session 2 breakouts | 10:35-11:20 a.m. 

  • Social Identities and Conflict Management Styles with speakers Jessica Gutierrez (she/her/ella) and Austin Lujan (he/him/his) 

  • Learn to Lead Today for A Better Future with speaker Jessi Follet (she/her/hers)

  • Getting Ready for Liberation – Empowering Yourself to Start Your Healing with speaker Shane Guinan (he/him/his)

Session 3 breakouts | 11:35 a.m.-12:20 p.m. 

  • Building Community, Coalescing, and Creating Change - A workshop on student leadership and activism with speakers Jerry Nguyen (she/her/hers) and Rebecca Dizon (she/her/hers) 

  • Disagreeing to Agree: Conflict & Climate Justice with speakers Jacob Baca (he/him/his) and Natalie Tigerino (she/her/hers) 

  • Setting the Example: How to Be a Positive Influence on Others with speakers Matthew Miranda (he/him/his), Sydney Armstrong (she/her/hers) and Ben O’Meara (he/him/his) 

Lunch | 12:30-1 p.m. 

Keynote speaker | 1-2 p.m. Timothy Bryson

Keynote: You Can't Impeach Vision with speaker Timothy F. Bryson (he/him/his)

In November 2014, I was the first Black U.S. American and member of NPHC to be elected Fraternity Council President at the University of South Carolina, Columbia. Ten months later, I was impeached for “doing the right thing, but not following the rules.” Despite annual philanthropic and academic success, fraternities and sororities are publicly condemned for allegations regarding risk management and recruitment, often the result of only a few members. How do we practice accountability and self-governance while preserving our cherished traditions? How do we translate moments into movements? This presentation will examine what it means to courageously lead with purpose, integrity and vision. 

Speaker Bio: Tim Bryson is a Black millennial educator committed to helping all people identify their passion, inspire vision and walk in purpose. 

Tim has traveled around the world working with students, athletes and faculty but his most powerful experience was being elected the first Black Fraternity Council President at the University of South Carolina, Columbia. While in this role, he led the Fraternity Council to unparalleled heights before being impeached for “doing the right thing, but not following the rules.” This moment awakened Tim’s purpose in life and he has not looked back.  

Tim is a former Division I NCAA athlete, former NCAA postgraduate intern and social entrepreneur. He has been featured in USA Today, served as a Sport Diplomat with the U.S. Department of State and has been endorsed by the Biden-Harris Administration for his work with international college athletes. A Cincinnati native, He enjoys listening to Drake, visiting craft breweries and practicing TikTok dances that never make it out the drafts. 

IG/Twitter: @TimothyFBryson 
LinkedIn: Timothy F. Bryson

Objectives

  1. Social justice education
  2. Leadership techniques
  3. Community & cultural engagement
  4. Resiliency & persistence
  5. Intersectional identity development

Goals

  1. To create transformative educational opportunities on diversity and social justice topics for students informed by the intersectional framework.
  2. To encourage mutual respect, empathy and curiosity while engaging in intergroup dialogue.
  3. Through restorative justice practices students will cultivate a community of care while participating in crucial conversations.
  4. To develop civically conscious students by encouraging them to interact with communities through service, advocacy and activism.

Please review the helpful information  regarding the conference and program proposal submission guidelines. All programs will be offered in 60-minute sessions (50-minute program, 5 minutes for questions, and 5 minutes for session evaluation).

Please feel free to forward this form to anyone who may be interested in presenting at this exciting conference. All program proposals should be submitted by Sept. 8, 2023. The Ignite Conference committee will review program submissions and notify faculty and staff by Sept. 11, 2023. Selected programs will be based on the relevancy of the presentation, the conference theme and the needs of conference attendees.

Questions or concerns? Please contact Ysatiz Piñero or Nicole Laverty. Thank you for your continued support.

Past Conferences

2023 Ignite Conference
2022 Ignite Conference