Washington and Lee Hosts Black Future Leaders Experience Conference The university’s first Black Future Leaders Experience Conference will take place on Feb. 8.

By Erica Turman
January 24, 2020

Washington and Lee University will present the first Black Future Leaders Experience (FLEX) Conference on Feb. 8. The purpose of the conference is to provide a space for young, thriving black scholars to cultivate the most distinguished versions of themselves.

The Black FLEX Conference is open to all interested college students and particularly to students of color. A fee of $30 covers registration, conference materials, and all meals throughout the day.

The theme of the Black FLEX Conference is Metamorphosis of the Black Persona. The Student Association for Black Unity, as the conference organizers, hope the conference will expose young scholars to an array of topics through various developmental sessions, student-led panels and keynote speakers. From discussions surrounding mental health, financial literacy, politics, professionalism, networking and more, students will emerge better equipped to transform society.

Speakers for the conference include Lena Hill, dean of the college at W&L, Zabriawn Smith, a sales executive and licensed realtor; Randl Dent, a doctoral candidate in health psychology; Ted Archer, an executive director and global head of small business within corporate responsibility at JP Morgan Chase; Michael Hill, professor of Africana Studies at W&L; Gabriel Pickett, assistant director of employer development at W&L; and several others.

This all-day leadership conference is sponsored by the Student Association for Black Unity at Washington and Lee University, the Division of Student Affairs, the Alumni Engagement Office and the Office of Inclusion and Engagement.