2023 Conference

Location

The Conference will be held on Friday, 20 October 2023 at the Jepson Alumni Center.

Registration

To best serve our attendees' needs, we ask that you please register for the conference here.  Registration will close on Wednesday, 18 October 2023.

Schedule of Events

  • 12pm: Check-in and Lunch (Robins Pavilion)
  • 12:30pm: Welcome and Keynote by Tanya M. González, followed by a conversation with Suja Mathew and Jessica Washington (Robins Pavilion)
  • 2pm: Breakout Sessions
    • Diving Deeper – Leading During Challenging Times, facilitated by Tanya M. González (Robins Pavilion)
    • Building Trust through Social Equity, facilitated by Suja Mathew (Quigg Room)
    • This Wasn't Built for Me: A Guided Reflection on Belonging and Navigating the "Sandbox," facilitated by Jessica Washington (Rosenbaum Room)
  • 3pm: Conference concludes 

Breakout Sessions 

Diving Deeper – Leading During Challenging Times, facilitated by Tanya M. González (she/ella)

Tanya M. González shares her experience as an Executive Director for the last seven years.  She candidly reflects on the challenges and opportunities that she has navigated and continues to navigate while leading a non-profit that served one of the communities hardest hit by COVID-19 in Richmond.  How does one build an organization, managing internal and external challenges simultaneously?  How does one keep going as a leader in the midst of adversity?  How does one stay engaged and motivated when the rest of the world has moved on, but you are still in the pandemic?  Come hear her thoughts.

Building Trust Through Social Equity, facilitated by Suja Mathew (she/her)

The lack of equitable representation and access to resources created the need for the formation of the Asian & Latino Solidarity Alliance (ALSA). Our mission is to advance the common objectives impacting newcomer communities in Central Virginia; one of which is to empower and advocate for current and future leaders. Discussions around the programs developed for Henrico, Chesterfield, and soon, the City of Richmond. Student discussions will focus on how they can use issues they may see in their own lives to amplify and empower communities. 

This Wasn't Built for Me: A Guided Reflection on Belonging and Navigating the "Sandbox," facilitated by Jessica Washington (she/her)

In this session, participants will reflect on the meaning of belonging and the people, places, and spaces that foster community and affirm that we belong. Together we will acknowledge the impact of systemic oppression on belonging and discuss how to navigate the sandbox of University of Richmond and beyond.