MLK Student Leadership Conference
The UIC Martin Luther King Jr. Student Leadership Conference: Dreams of Justice is the biggest one-day, in-person leadership event on campus! Attendees will be able to hear from keynote speakers; select from a variety of workshops led by faculty, staff, and peers; and network with others in the UIC Community.
Be inspired by the legacy of MLK Jr. while learning, connecting, and growing with fellow campus leaders. Let’s dream, lead, and create change—together!
Don’t wait—register now!
Keynote Speaker
Jahmal Cole
Jahmal Cole is the founder and CEO of My Block, My Hood, My City and a dedicated advocate for social justice—committed to building a more interconnected Chicago through service and education.
Jahmal is a multi-time Chicago Reader Activist of the Year, Chicago Magazine Chicagoan of the Year, Chicago Defender “Men of Excellence” Honoree, American Red Cross Community Impact Hero Award recipient, and the subject of the feature documentary film “A Tiny Ripple of Hope.”
Jahmal has also had the honor of speaking in front of President Barack Obama and receiving an honorary Doctorate Degree in Humanities from DePaul University.
Learn more about My Block, My Hood, My City at formyblock.org.
Session 1 (12 :45 PM – 1 :30 PM)
Latino Cultural Center Tour
Nat Ayala, Civic Engagement Educator, Latino Cultural Center
The Rafael Cintrón Ortiz Latino Cultural Center (LCC) at UIC welcomes anyone who wishes to expand their knowledge about the cultural heritage of Latinx communities and advocate for social and environmental justice. Join us for a tour of their indoor mural, El Despertar de las Américas, which highlights several issues in Latin American history and Latinxs contemporary life, intertwined with the history and activism of the LCC.
Jane Addams Hull-House Tour
Nadia Maragha, Education Manager, Jane Addams Hull-House Museum
A National Historic Landmark, the Jane Addams Hull-House Museum hosts exhibitions and programs that connect histories of social transformation to the present. The museum endures as a site of activism, creative expression, research, and education. Join us for a tour of the museum followed by a discussion on its history as a social settlement.
One Block at a Time: Driving Change Through Advocacy
Jahmal Cole, Founder and CEO, My Block, My Hood, My City
Join keynote speaker Jahmal Cole for an intimate breakout session designed to inspire action and empower students to make a difference in their communities. This is your opportunity to ask questions, explore ways to get involved, and learn how to support Jahmal’s impactful work through his organization, My Block, My Hood, My City. Discover how small acts of advocacy can create meaningful change and leave with practical steps to start making an impact—one block at a time.
Session 2 (1:45 PM – 2 :30 PM)
Jane Addams Hull-House Tour
Nadia Maragha, Education Manager, Jane Addams Hull-House Museum
A National Historic Landmark, the Jane Addams Hull-House Museum hosts exhibitions and programs that connect histories of social transformation to the present. The museum endures as a site of activism, creative expression, research, and education. Join us for a tour of the museum followed by a discussion on its history as a social settlement.
Dripping in Finesse
James Alford, Undergraduate Academic Advisor, College of Business Administration
In this workshop participants will learn the importance of leadership experiences and how they affect one’s academic and professional career. They will learn what it takes to be a good leader and how those experiences can help in the job market. This workshop is designed for anyone who wants to be a better leader or learn more about leadership and how it can benefit them from joining a club/ organization.
• Students will be able to understand the importance of leadership and high impact practices.
• Students will see the importance of how leadership experiences impact their professional careers
Dreams of Justice for Those Who Live a Nightmare
Khameron Townsend-Riley, Greater Lawndale Community Coordinator, Office of Community Collaboration & Honorable Women INC
As part of Human Trafficking Awareness Month, the UIC Office of Community Collaboration and Honorable Women INC will host a powerful workshop, “Dreams of Justice for Those Who Live a Nightmare.” This workshop will focus on understanding justice for survivors of human trafficking and highlight how Honorable Women INC, in partnership with the Office of Community Collaboration, has worked to create pathways to justice for those affected. Join us to learn, engage, and explore solutions that bring hope and justice to survivors.
Session 3 (2:45 PM - 3:30 PM)
Manifesting Your Dreams: Vision Boards for Just Futures
Mariela Aranda, Associate Director, Student Leadership and Civic Engagement & Crystal Vazquez, Associate Director, Commuter and Off-Campus Life
When thinking about your future, what does a just world look like for you? Envision it, work towards it, and create your own vision board for 2025. This is a laid-back session that will include music, community, and crafting. Join us for intentional goal setting with peers!
I Have A Dream Too: Evaluating Your Own Cultural Competency And Advocacy As A Student Leader
Lyza Liriano, Area Coordinator for Academic Programs, Campus Housing
Martin Luther King Jr. is known for his activism within the civil rights movement. He dreamt of a world that is just. In this session we will create our own “Dreams of Justice” by learning about the concepts of cultural competency and advocacy and evaluating your own. This will allow you to walk away as student leaders with the intent to embed MLK’s dreams into your work as a leader.
Your Story Matters: Exploring Your Resilience and Power
Cecilia O. Macias, Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion & Angela Hunt, Program Coordinator, Office of Diversity & Inclusion, School of Public Health
Author Sue Monk Kidd shared “Stories have to be told, or they die, and when they die, we can’t remember who we are or why we’re here”. In this workshop, participants will have the opportunity to acknowledge the power of their life stories that often involve combating microaggressions and microinequities. We will learn to identify microaggressions and apply self-compassion and other skills to build resilience. The goal is to empower participants to use these tools to strengthen their leadership capacity and create more inclusive environments.
Closing (3:45 PM - 4:45 PM)
Justice into Action at UIC – Student Panel
Moderator: Lavontae Morrow, Graduate Assistant, Center for Student Involvement
Closing out the conference, this student panel will explore how UIC students can apply justice practices learned throughout the day into their academic, social, and leadership experiences. Engage in meaningful reflections and leave inspired to take action toward a more just and inclusive UIC community.