Ignite Social Justice & Leadership Conference
The Ignite Social Justice & Leadership Conference is an annual one-day conference-style social justice program. Students will learn, have dialogue, network and engage in a brave space together.
The 2024 conference theme is “Redefining Justice Toward Equity and Liberation.” We will deconstruct justice through a lens of curiosity and relearn what equity and liberation can look like as a student leader. This year’s theme explores various forms of activism and liberatory practices while centering the importance of amplifying voices and enacting equitable change. By participating in the Ignite Conference, students will learn new perspectives, participate in critical conversations and be empowered to engage in activism and liberation for all.
The conference will be held in person on Saturday, Oct. 19, 2024, in the University Memorial Center (UMC).
Objectives
- Social justice education
- Leadership techniques
- Community and cultural engagement
- Resiliency and persistence
- Intersectional identity development
Goals
- To create transformative educational opportunities on diversity and social justice topics for students informed by the intersectional framework.
- To encourage mutual respect, empathy and curiosity while engaging in intergroup dialogue.
- Through restorative justice practices, students will cultivate a community of care while participating in crucial conversations.
- To develop civically conscious students by encouraging them to interact with communities through service, advocacy and activism.
Ignite Conference Schedule
9:30-9:45 a.m. | Opening Remarks, UMC Ballrooms
9:45-10:45 a.m. | Session I
From Margins to Mainstream: The Role of Alternative Mental Health Practices in Promoting Equity, UMC 247
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Description:
What do you think of when you hear the words "mental health care"? Most people think of sitting in a room with a therapist or psychologist while talking through their problems. While talk therapy can be a very supportive resource, it's not accessible or helpful for some people. During this session, we'll explore the limitations of Western mental health practices and the necessity to support alternative methods, and how you can be a part of the solution toward mental health equity.
Navigating Intersectionality: Strategies for Fostering Equity, Inclusion and Belonging on Campus, UMC 285-289
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Description:
This session will focus on cultivating equity and inclusion while nurturing a sense of belonging on campus for students. Through dialogue and relationship-building exercises, participants will discover practical strategies to integrate intersectionality into their educational practices. Attendees will learn how intersectionality can guide their efforts toward a more just and inclusive future, empowering them to drive meaningful change in their communities. Join us for an inspiring conversation that will equip you with the tools to champion social justice and community empowerment.
The Big L's: Love and Liberation, UMC 382-386
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Description:
Like Tina Turner, you may be asking "What's Love Got to Do with It?" and luckily activist and author bell hooks has given us crucial insight into the role that love plays in the fight for liberation. Using bell hooks' concept of love ethic and Jordan Harper's Leadership for liberation framework, we will uncover how we as leaders can use love as a powerful tool in our practice.
11-11:45 a.m. | Session II
From Shares to Action: Transforming Performative Activism, UMC 285-289
Description:
In our current society, we base how much someone cares about a social justice issue on how much they share on social media about it—which can make it hard to know the difference between performative and authentic activism. This workshop will focus on helping students develop appropriate tools to differentiate between performative and authentic activism. Additionally, students will be able to understand the negative effects of performative activism and develop strategies to engage in authentic activism.
How to Become a Change Agent in Your Community, UMC 382-386
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Description:
Utilizing the Social Change Model of Leadership Development (Komives, et al., 2017), this presentation is designed for those who are ready to make change in their communities but aren’t sure where to start. Through discussions, reflections and activities, participants will learn about the Seven C’s of Social Change, analyze the root causes and attributes of social justice issues and begin their journey as change agents in their community.
Storytelling as a Tool of Liberation, Equity and Power, UMC 247
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Description:
Storytelling is a powerful tool for liberation and equity, offering a means to amplify diverse voices, challenge dominant narratives and foster empathy. This presentation will focus on the role of storytelling in advancing social justice by defining the terms of liberation and equity while exploring how personal and collective stories can change the experiences of people and enact change.
12-12:45 p.m. | Session III
Our Trip to Ghana and How It Has Shaped Us as People and Leaders, UMC 247
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Description:
Hear about our experience traveling to Ghana to volunteer at a children's home in the village. The trip allowed us to experience a different way of life, meet new people and change our perspectives on things.
Redefining Climate Change: Exploring Privilege, Power, and Environmental Action, UMC 382-386
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Description:
In a time when environmental action often feels stagnant, this program seeks to reframe the climate movement by exploring the interplay of privilege, systemic injustices, and environmental degradation. Aimed at students, educators, activists, and community members, the presentation will offer a deeper understanding of climate justice and its intersection with colonialism, global extraction, and geopolitical capitalism.
Through a dynamic, interactive format, participants will explore key concepts of climate justice, the influence of privilege on climate discourse, and strategies for fostering inclusive environmental activism. By examining climate issues on campus and underserved communities, the session will equip attendees with the concepts to advocate for equitable and sustainable solutions.
Our goal is to inspire a shift from normative climate change rhetoric toward a more inclusive and actionable climate justice framework, preparing participants to contribute to the movement with intersectional perspectives and equitable strategies.
You Are Your Best Thing: Self-Exploration and Personal Power in the College Space, UMC 285-289
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Description:
The time students spend in college (especially at institutions that gather groups of people from across the country and all over the world), is a perfect opportunity to question and reflect on the beliefs and values that have shaped you. Encountering diverse perspectives, engaging in intellectual discussions, and challenging your preconceived notions can all build a deeper understanding of the world around you, and who you desire to become in that world. This interactive session introduces participants to the possibilities and tools for making self-determination an intentional project during the college years- alongside and as a support to learning curriculum and gaining skills for getting a great job.
"You Are Your Own Best Thing" is a powerful line from Toni Morrison's iconic novel, "Beloved," and is also the title of an anthology edited by Tarana Burke (creator of the #MeToo hashtag and movement) and vulnerability researcher Brene Brown—a work that presents how Black writers from across the spectrum take up the themes of authenticity and vulnerability in their lives.
1-3 p.m. | UMC Ballrooms
Lunch, Keynote and Closing Remarks
Presenter:
Description:
In a letter to Angela Davis, James Baldwin once said, "If they take you in the morning, they will be coming for us that night." This is the same approach that we must take in our organizing, understanding that injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere. Our Liberation is Bound Together provides a historic overview of organizing rooted in intersectionality, serving as a blueprint for contemporary movements.