Men of Color Leadership Summit

In a world that often asks men of color to shrink, shape-shift, or assimilate, building a personal brand rooted in authenticity is not just radical, it’s necessary. This session explores how to turn your lived experience, cultural roots, and personal values into the foundation of a brand that commands respect without compromise. We’ll unpack how to show up with consistency, confidence, and clarity in both digital and real-life spaces. Whether you’re navigating boardrooms, classrooms, or barbershops, your story is your superpower, and your authenticity is your currency. 

Takeaways: 

• Define what authenticity looks like for you
• Identify the values and experiences that set your brand apart
• Learn how to align your online presence with your real-world impact
• Discover tools to build a brand that honors your full identity 

What if the pursuit of belonging in higher education has always been the wrong question for men of color? In this session, we’ll explore why the concept of belonging—often used as a measure of student success—can be an incomplete and even incompatible framework for understanding our presence in institutions that were never built for our thriving. 

Instead of chasing belonging, this workshop invites participants to simply be, and—drawing on the words of Nana Dr. Cynthia Dillard (2012)—to “re-member the things we were taught to forget”: to recover the ancestral wisdom, lived experiences, and collective resilience that brought us here.   

Grounded in radical self-reflection, cultural memory, and strategic foresight, this session empowers young men of color and their allies to name the political realities of structural, interpersonal, disciplinary, and cultural challenges within higher education. At the same time, it offers practical strategies for thriving—from building strong support systems and cultivating purpose-driven leadership, to learning how to navigate institutional structures with clarity, confidence, and vision. This isn’t about fitting in—it’s about showing up fully. It’s about Being. 

Key Takeaways:

• Belonging is Not the Goal Understand why belonging may be an ill-fitting framework for navigating higher education as men of color—and how reframing your purpose can open new paths for agency, growth, and fulfillment. Re-membering as Resistance and Power: Learn how to reconnect with the stories, lessons, and wisdom passed down by elders, families, and communities—and how those truths can ground your persistence and vision.
• Strategic Navigation of Higher Ed: Identify the structural, interpersonal, disciplinary, and cultural dynamics of higher education—and develop strategies to proactively navigate these spaces without losing yourself in the process. Think with the End in Mind Explore how exposure shapes awareness and awareness shapes expectation. Begin crafting your long-term vision grounded in purpose, clarity, and accountability to both self and community.
• Move from Survival to Thriving: Shift from reactive to proactive living by owning your story, trusting your voice, and building a foundation for self-defined success. 

This session empowers attendees to take control of their financial future by building a strong foundation in personal budgeting and understanding the responsible use of debt. Through culturally responsive insights and real-world strategies, participants will learn how to make informed financial decisions that support their goals, values, and long-term wealth building. 

Key Takeaways: 

• Develop a realistic personal budget aligned with their income, lifestyle, and priorities.
• Understand the differences between good and bad debt and how to manage both effectively.
• Apply strategies to reduce debt, build credit, and make confident financial decisions. 

This session explores how authentic representation in leadership, politics, and civic spaces impacts self-perception and fuels community empowerment. Participants will examine how media, role models, and mentorship shape civic identity and learn how to translate personal stories into collective action for change. 

Key Takeaways:

• Understand how representation in civic life influences individual and collective self-worth.
• Identify ways to become more engaged in their communities through voting, advocacy, and leadership.
• Recognize the role of mentorship and visibility in inspiring civic participation and building inclusive systems.