Student Association for Black Unity (SABU) Black Future Leaders Experience (Black FLEX) Conference Saturday, February 4, 2023

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.

The theme for the 4th Annual Black Future Leaders Experience (FLEX) Conference is Legacy of Excellence. "Legacy" refers to the long-lasting impact of work. As the young leaders of tomorrow, we inherit a long legacy of community and advocacy. Rather than simply reflecting on the legacy left for us, this conference will prepare students to develop a legacy of their own. This year, we will be discussing professional skills such as networking and career development as well as personal skills such as wealth development and management and mental wellness. 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.

Schedule

  • Breakfast/Sign In: 9am-10am
  • Opening Remarks: 10:15am-10:45am
  • First Session: 11am-12pm
  • Keynote & Lunch: 12:15pm-1:30pm
  • Second Session: 1:45pm-2:45pm
  • Third Session: 3pm-4pm
  • Closing Remarks: 4:15pm-4:30pm
  • Black Ball: 8pm-12am

Sessions

  • Networking & Navigating in White Spaces (Workshop)
    • This session will discuss the intricacies of networking and navigating fields or spaces that are primarily white as a Black professional. Professional attire, behavior, and the unspoken rules of successful networking will be addressed, and associated controversies. Special attention will be given to how these spaces can disadvantage Black professionals and how to overcome them to achieve your professional goals.
  • State of the Union: Current Issues in the Black Community (Roundtable)
    • This roundtable discussion will address the issues that prevent progress, hinder equality, and effect the health and happiness of the Black community in America. Current issues or situations will be addressed. Roundtable discussion will include the thoughts and opinions of all participants.
  • Securing a Bag: Financial Legacy Building (Workshop)
    • This session will discuss ways to build a secure financial foundation and to plan for a successful financial future. Various ways to save and make money will be addressed to help students build generational wealth.
  • "Keep Ya Head Up," A Conversation on Mental Health & Wellness
    • This session will address overall health and wellness issues, with a special focus on mental health. Strategies for improving health will be discussed in the context of being a Black student at a PWI or young Black professional.
  • Legacy of Advocacy and Activism by Black Community Organizations (Panel)
    • From Black churches to Greek Letter Organizations, Black community organizations have been the foundation and backbone of activism in our community. This session will provide a contemporary overview of the legacy of Black Community Organizations in advocating for progress as well as how these spaces have or should evolve to fit the current needs of the Black community.
  • Building Your Brand (Workshop)
    • The twenty-first century is all about marketing. This workshop will teach attendees how to build and market their personal and unique brand. Resumes, CVs, LinkedIn, and job and school applications will be discussed as tools to help admissions officers, hiring managers, and others you need to impress get you know you as more than a name on a sheet of paper.
  • Career Panel: STEM
  • Career Panel: Humanities/the Arts
  • Career Panel: Business/Finance