Black Solidarity Conference

The Black Solidarity Conference (BSC) at Yale is a completely student-run annual conference held in January or February. Through discussions, panels, networking, and social gatherings, students from across the country analyze issues affecting the Black/Afro-Diasporic community and explore solutions that can be implemented on their college campuses. Past guests include legal scholars like Dr. Cornel West and Nikki Giovanni, artists like J. Cole, and activists like Angela Davis. We are pleased to announce that Yale University will host BSC 2024 from January 25-27th: “Transforming Silence into Action: Mobilizing with Care in the Black Community!” This year's conference, “Transforming Silence into Action: Mobilizing with Care in the Black Community,” calls upon participants to address the community activism and mobilization following the 2020 pandemic and the death of George Floyd. However, we also recognize the large toll of this activism on Black individuals, and thus seek to unpack the responsibilities we, as members of the Black diaspora, have to the communities we find ourselves in. The 2024 conference will truly run the gamut: discussions evaluating the roots of activism and community organizing, panels educating attendees on how to organize activism, the role of education in mobilization, and engaging in discourse around the repeal of affirmative action among other topics of discussion. We have the privilege of hosting and learning from the Founder of Sierra Leone Rising Princess Sarah Culberson, Freedom Fighter and Writer Brea Baker, NAACP Image Award Winner and Activist Angelo Pinto, Influencer Eni Popoola, and our keynote speaker, one of the Little Rock Nine, Minnijean Brown-Trickey, amongst a plethora of others throughout the conference. We look forward to BSC in a few short weeks! If you have any questions, please reach out to us and if you would like to attend or know anyone interested, late registration tickets are available via our website!

The start of Black History Month has lent me such gratitude and reflection, especially after closing out the month of January with the 27th annual Black Solidarity Conference. This year, we welcomed over 400 undergraduates from 30 institutions across the nation for one of the largest student-run undergraduate conferences in the nation. This was my second term as Chairwoman of BSC's Events and Logistics Committee, and this was an exceptionally emotional tenure: I was overwhelmed by the support of my hardworking team; I was empowered in our all-female executive board; I was grateful for our President Gabriella Picott and Vice President Selihom Yosief; and I was moved watching the fruits of our labor come to life over the course of a weekend. I had the special honor of moderating our keynote dinner with Minnijean Brown-Trickey. A member of the Little Rock Nine, she was one of nine teenagers who desegregated Little Rock Central High School in 1957.?As a low-income, first-generation Black student, facilitating this conversation in a room full of students who looked like me was more meaningful to me than words can describe and I cannot thank her enough for her activism during the Civil Rights Movement and continued contributions to equity, diversity, and inclusion. I look forward to what BSC has in store for next year and hope to continue to join and contribute to spaces as beautiful as this one.

????????? How refreshing to be back at Yale University for the annual Black Solidarity Conference where Black students from across the United States come together to talk about the topics that matter to us! ?? The panel that I hosted with writer and activist Brea Baker was about the importance of protest and organizing to make change in the world. Many people don't know this but just four days after I was elected the first Black student body president of Yale, an unarmed Black woman named Stephanie Washington was shot by a Yale Police Department officer, launching weeks of constant demonstrations on campus. That experience where I chose to side with student activists over the administration was a turning point in how I understand leadership and institutional change. ?? Unfortunately, between Yale's investment in Fossil Fuels, the campus' failure to support students during the pandemic, and of course the murder of George Floyd, there were many more issues that necessitated protest throughout my term as student body president. And I know today, in colleges, there are many new issues that persist that urge students to take to the streets and make their voices heard. ?? I am glad have to been able to give them advice on strategy and branding for their social movements to come. And I can't wait to return to campus and see all of the changes they can create.

This past weekend, I had the privilege of attending Yale 27th Annual Black Solidarity Conference, representing the UMOJA: Black Student Union at Hampshire College alongside my fellow co-chairs. The conference offered a wealth of knowledge and networking opportunities, particularly through workshops such as "Black Financial Literacy" led by esteemed speakers including Dr. Tiffaney Williams- The Financial Architect Forbes Council, ForbesBLK, NSBA Trustee,Dr. Derricka Harwell and @Dr. Saloam Bey. Furthermore, the "Taking Up Space" workshop by Eni Popoola and Ashley Christopher, Esq., insights, offering deep reflections on self-empowerment, assertiveness, and the importance of representation in various spheres. Similarly , the session on "Black Mental Health & Self-Care" was particularly impactful, highlighting the complexities of mental well-being within the Black community, addressing systemic challenges, cultural stigma, and effective self-care strategies, thereby fostering a deeper understanding and appreciation for holistic wellness practices. A highlight of the conference was attending the keynote dinner featuring Minnijean Brown Trickey, a member of the Little Rock Nine, who shared her experiences and the importance of resilience in the face of adversity. This event not only enriched my understanding but also reaffirmed the significance of solidarity and the impact of collective action. I'm grateful for the experience and the connections made, and I look forward to applying these learnings in my academic and professional journey. #BlackSolidarityConference #DiversityEquityInclusion #BreakingDownBarriers #Leadership #YaleUniversity #AfricanDiaspora #SocialChange #MinnijeanBrownTrickey #LittleRockNine

I am so grateful that I was able to attend Yale’s Black Solidarity Conference this past weekend with Black Women’s Union. We attended panels, a career fair, and had the opportunity to meet keynote speaker Minnijean Brown-Trickey of The Little Rock Nine. We had an amazing time meeting Black students from other universities/colleges and we are excited to attend again next year!

This weekend I had the pleasure of attending Yale University’s Black Solidarity Conference, where Black students from across the country networked, learned, and built meaningful connections across the four days of the event. Our group of 15 from Brown University had a blast getting to know our peers and hearing about present career opportunities as well as histories of Black resilience and activism. Here are a few pictures to commemorate the weekend! I implore any college students to take part in the future. Thank you to the organizers and speakers/professionals that took the time out of their schedules to host this amazing event! I will definitely be back Yale. :)

This past weekend, I had the incredible honor of attending the annual "Black Solidarity Conference" at Yale University, along with 14 remarkable Black student leaders from Brown University. The experience was not just enlightening; it was deeply moving and profoundly impactful. The theme of the conference, "Transforming Silence Into Action: Mobilizing With Care in the Black Community," couldn't have been more timely and resonant. It speaks directly to the heart of my passion for diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI). The conference provided an invaluable platform for us to connect with other black student leaders and engage in meaningful discussions. These conversations were rooted in our shared heritage and the rich tapestry of the African diaspora, reminding us of the strength and resilience that is inherent in our community. One of the most memorable moments was listening to the awe-inspiring Minnijean Brown-Trickey, a member of the legendary Little Rock Nine. Her stories and insights offered a powerful perspective on the civil rights movement. As a teenager, she and eight other brave students took a monumental step in the fight for integration by attending the all-white Central High School in Little Rock, Arkansas, in 1957. This act of courage faced immense resistance and required federal intervention, marking a pivotal moment in the struggle for civil rights and education equality. Her experience and continued advocacy for social justice deeply inspired us, reinforcing the need for resilience and unwavering commitment in our ongoing efforts in DEI. Attending this conference was a reminder of the importance of creating intentional spaces for Black students. It's in these spaces that we find the courage to turn our silence into action, to uplift and empower each other, and to continue the vital work of breaking down barriers and promoting social mobility. I want to thank Dr. Derricka Harwell, Saloam Bey, and Dr. Tiffaney Williams- The Financial Architect Forbes Council, ForbesBLK, NSBA Trustee for teaching us about the importance of financial literacy and how this knowledge has been traditional gatekeep from communities of color. As I reflect on the experiences and insights gained, I'm filled with gratitude for the opportunity to be part of this empowering event. I’m more committed than ever to using my platform and experiences to support and empower underrepresented students. Let's continue to work together, fostering inclusive environments and transforming our collective vision into impactful actions. #BlackSolidarityConference #DiversityEquityInclusion #BreakingDownBarriers #Leadership #BrownUniversity #YaleUniversity #AfricanDiaspora #SocialChange #MinnijeanBrownTrickey #LittleRockNine

In two short weeks, the Black Solidarity Conference 2024 will begin! This year’s conference is one you surely will not want to miss with the chance to hear from renowned speakers and attend exclusive BSC social events.? Starting the conference is a BSC concert with record-leading American rapper and songwriter Kaliii! Then, on the second and third day of the conference, attendees will have the opportunity to network with activists like Angelo Pinto and Brea Baker, mental health advocates like Dr. Chanda Reynolds, journalists like Myeisha Essex, authors like Frank Brady and Dr. Derricka Harwell, entrepreneurs like Princess Sarah Culberson and Dr. Tiffany Williams, content creators like Eni Popoola, renowned professors like Dr. Crystal Femister and Dr. Franklin Tuitt, and of course other collegiate scholars. To end off an incredible weekend, all attendees will be invited to join Minnijean Brown Trickey, a key figure in the desegregation of Little Rock Central High School in 1957, at the keynote dinner. ? The BSC team can not wait to welcome all attendees in two weeks! If you have any questions, please reach out to us and if you would like to attend or know anyone interested, late registration tickets are available via our website! Tickets will be available until January 21st, 2024, so make sure to secure yours before they sell out!