Student Association for Black Unity (SABU) Black Future Leaders Experience (Black FLEX) Conference Saturday, February 1, 2025

The Black Future Leaders Experience (Black FLEX) Conference is a 100% student-run leadership conference hosted annually by SABU The purpose of Black FLEX is to provide a space for young, thriving black scholars to cultivate the most distinguished versions of themselves. As the black leaders of today, we strive to promote leadership, individuality and self-discovery, in order to better our tomorrow.

This all-day leadership conference is 100% planned and sponsored by the Student Association for Black Unity (S.A.B.U.) at Washington & Lee University. The BlackFLEX Conference is specifically geared towards Black students, but S.A.B.U. invites and welcomes students from all backgrounds and all institutions to attend.

BLACKFLEX 2025 - Black Masquerade: Unmasking Hidden Heroes

The theme for 2025's Black Flex Conference is "Black Masquerade: Unmasking Hidden Heroes." This theme draws inspiration from the concept of "hidden heroes," celebrating the remarkable individuals, events, companies, and stories that have often been overshadowed or overlooked in mainstream narratives. By adopting the metaphor of a masquerade, we hope to reveal and revere the many contributions that have helped shape our culture, history, and society. By fi nally shining a light on these hidden fi gures, we as a community can foster a deeper appreciation and understanding of the unique contributions that make up Black culture.

Schedule

  • (8:00 - 8:45 AM) Optional Breakfast @ Marketplace
  • (9:00 - 9:30 AM) Opening Address with Remarks from SABU Vice President: Amara Oputa @ Stackhouse Theatre
  • (9:45 - 10:15 AM) Seminar - Resilience, Innovation, and Black Excellence @ Huntley Hall 221
  • (10:30 - 11:00 AM) Workshop - Harnessing Data for Health, Leadership, and Social Justice @ Northern Auditorium
  • (11:15 - 12:30 PM) Keynote Address and Lunch - Unveiling the Strength Within Keynote @ Evans Hall
  • (12:45 - 1:15 PM) Student-Led Seminar - Hidden Stories and Black Excellence @ Commons 216
  • (1:30- 2:00 PM) Seminar and Q&A - The Problem of Spaces for Who We Are @ Sydney Lewis Hall Moot Court Room
  • (2:15 - 2:30 PM) Closing Remarks from SABU Vice President: Amara Oputa @ Stackhouse
  • (8:00 - 12:00 AM) Black Ball @ Evans Hall

Sessions

  • (Session 1) Seminar - Resilience, Innovation, and Black Excellence
    Explore the intersection of personal experience and historical legacy in this session. Through the lens of life as a man of African descent in Lexington, VA, the speaker refl ects on the hidden narratives that shape identity and opportunity. Drawing inspiration from fi gures like Mansa Musa and overlooked inventors of African descent, this talk connects history to the present, highlighting resilience, innovation, and the power of uncovering untold stories. Join us for a compelling journey
    that celebrates Black excellence while addressing the challenges of representation and equity.
  • (Session 2) Workshop - Harnessing Data for Health, Leadership, and Social Justice
    Discover the transformative power of data storytelling in this dynamic session that blends career development with the theme. Participants will explore how to leverage their unique strengths and interests to uncover hidden contributions in health, leadership, and social justice. Through actionable strategies and real-world examples, this workshop highlights the role of data in revealing health disparities and celebrating leaders of African descent in public health and medicine. Join us to learn how to analyze data, craft meaningful narratives, and drive inclusion, equity, and social change in your own career journey.
  • (Session 3) Keynote Address and Lunch - Unveiling the Strength Within
    Join us for an inspiring speech that aligns perfectly with the theme. Our speaker shares their remarkable journey of triumph and self-discovery, refl ecting on how a childhood marked by tragedy and countless challenges became a powerful catalyst for growth. As a survivor of a gunshot injury at just ten years old, they uncovered profound strength and purpose hidden within themselves. Their story reminds us that beneath every obstacle lies the potential for transformation and that the journey to uncovering our true selves is as exhilarating as it is empowering.
  • (Session 4) Student-Led Seminar - Hidden Stories and Black Excellence
    Join for an engaging session that connects personal experience with the theme from a student perspective, weaving in stories of historical figures. This session will include an interactive activity designed to uncover hidden stories and foster discussion, followed by a closing refl ection on resilience, representation, and the power of recognizing untold contributions. Together, we'll explore how history and personal narratives intersect to inspire change and celebrate Black excellence.
  • (Session 5) Seminar and Q&A - The Problem of Spaces for Who We Are
    This session explores the evolving philosophy of belonging and identity within Lexington and Washington and Lee University, framed through the lens of CARE. This event delves into how these spaces have transformed over the years, refl ecting on the challenges and progress that defi ne their histories. Through a hopeful narrative emerging from diffi cult times, the discussion offers insights into creating inclusive and meaningful communities. The program concludes with an engaging Q&A session, inviting attendees to share their thoughts and questions. 

Black Ball

Set in the grandeur of a formal ball, this gala invites guests to step into a world where masks symbolize the hidden talents, stories, and contributions of individuals who have often been overlooked. As you don your fi nest attire and dance the night away, we honor the remarkable heroes whose legacies are waiting to be uncovered. This night of elegance and empowerment is a tribute to the strength, resilience, and brilliance of Black fi gures who have left indelible marks on the world, waiting for their stories to be told. Join us as we unmask these hidden heroes, celebrating them through an unforgettable evening of culture, community, and discovery.