Past Conferences
In 1989, Collette Cummings and Frances D. Graham, two Resident Directors at the University of Illinois decided that a program was needed to highlight African American women. They believed that this program should recognize the achievements and the needs of black women on campus as well as in the surrounding community. Collette and Frances organized a one-day conference in which professional women of color from the community and the University presented sessions to undergraduate African American women. Over the past 35 years, the conference has grown from a one-day conference with approximately 50 participants to a conference with approximately 250 participants involving multiple workshops and guest lecturers. We have hosted many influential speakers, among which include: MC Lyte, Angela Davis, Susan Taylor, Bev Smith, B.B. Campbell-Moore, Safisha Madhabuti, Jasmine Guy, Ruby Dee, and Janet Maia Martin.
Overall, the purpose of Women of Color and its annual conference is to unite, uplift, and honor women of African descent who have come before us, those who are here with us, and those who will surely come after us. We strive to educate the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign’s campus on the achievements and contributions of women of African descent. Ultimately, Women of Color's annual conferences aim to provide a space of culturally relevant resources for the advancement of Women of Color.
Women of Color 35th Conference
Saturday, March 30th, 2024
Illini union Ballroom
11am-2pm
The 35th Annual Conference was a resounding success!
The esteemed panelists:
💜Dr. Yolanda Vivian Williams-Goliday(@gsrcillinois)
💜Mary Long
💜Lela Jensen (@theprancingpearlss)
💜Asia Zanders (@_thekatwalk)
Our Women of Color Speakers/Panelists: President Courtney Dillon, Vice-President Kamren Mason-El.
Another special thank to the Prancing Pearls(@theprancingpearlss), a Rso on campus who the broke barriers by being UIUC first Majorette team on campus. Thank you for blessing us with a beautiful dance during our 35th annual conference.
CC own, Autumn Rayne Williams, Who delivered a a wonderful speech name "Matriarch". This speech spoke about the matriarch of the family, the women who always break barriers.
A big shoutout to ajsprod and CC own taylorarianna_photography for taking wonderful photos at conference.
Women of Color 34th Conference: Becoming Her, The power of Authenticty and courage
April 22, 2023
Keynote Speaker: Janet Maia Martin
Panelists: Janet Maia Martin, Cedrianna Humphries, Tela Abdiel, Cherisse smith, La la Smith
Workshops:
Welcome workshop
Social Media Workshop with Nia'mya Madison, "Beyond the filter: The power of authenticity in social media".
Performances:
"Unraveling" by Kiya Cockerell
Wrapsody Dance Co
Schedule (11 am -4:00 pm)
Women of Color 33th Conference
Sunday, April 18th
Keynote speaker: Tekiata Bankhead
Opening Panelist:
Ty'kia Dubose
Serena Mitchell
Eriele Tellis
Interactive Workshops
Women Health led by Dr. Adrianne Dade
Face Beat under a Mask led by Alana Auston
Poetry 101 led by Angelica Heaney
Be your own Boss led by Simone Johnson
Schedule (11 am -1:30)
Women of Color 30th Annual Conference:
A Women's retreat: Powerful beyond measure, beautiful beyond description, and even stronger together! (Spring 2019)
Saturday, April 27, 2019
Opening Ceremonies
Keynote Speaker: Dr. Chandra Gill
Workshops:
Schedule: (10-2:30PM)
Women of Color 29th Annual Conference:
A women's worth, entrusting in the vision (Spring 2018)
Friday, April 28th
Keynote speaker: Dr.Nameka Bates
Location:illini union
Co-sponsors:
Delta Sigma Theta sorority inc.
Central Black Student Union
Wrapsody Dance Co.
Schedule 10:00am - 1:30pm
Women of Color 28th Annual Conference:
Celebrating Our Strength, Protecting Our Magic (Spring 2017)
Saturday, April 22, 2017
Opening Ceremonies:
Toccara Steele
Workshops:
Maintaining Black Girl Magic in the Workplace
The Problem with Black Girl Magic is...: Black Womanhood & Mental Health
Educated, Black & Beautiful: Graduate & Professional School Preparation
Professional Development: Resume Critiques, Mock Interviewing & Networking
Schedule: (9-4PM)
Women of Color 27th Annual Conference:
Boss Queen & Everything In Between (Spring 2016)
Friday, April 1st
Opening Ceremonies:
Farissa Knox, Founder & President of Whatruwearing.net
Conference Workshops:
Never Drop the Crown: Balancing Self and Relationships
Toccara Steele
Protecting the Temple: A Discussion About Sexual Health
Kelsie Kelly
Queens in Control: Obtaining a Position at a PWI
Erica Foster
Career & Resume Building
Diamond Burgess
Schedule 9:00am - 4pm
Women of Color 26th Annual Conference:
A Woman's World: Empowering & Inspiring the Voice Within (Spring 2015)
Friday, April 17th - 18th
Friday, April 17th 7:00pm
Opening Ceremonies:
Jasmine Guy, Actress & Dancer
Saturday, April 18th 9:30am
Conference Workshops:
Great Expectations: We often set goals for ourselves but have trouble maintaining them. Through strategic planning, this workshop will help you create simple and effective ways to achieve your short term and long term goals. Turn your dreams into reality!
How Bittersweet It Is: It is not uncommon for women of color to struggle with maintaining a healthy lifestyle. This workshop will offer some tips on incorporating regular exercise and healthy eating into your busy schedule. Your body will thank you later!
Reconcilable Differences: How many times have you been in a relationship that ended on bad terms? Many of us allow pride to get in the way of blossoming relationships. This workshop serves as a tool to assist you in discovering the real issue and how to work toward improving it.
The Thing About Women: Do you know how powerful you are? So often we ignore our true capabilities. This workshop will assist you in acknowledging and developing your strengths and weaknesses. Discover your true worth and learn how to use it to your advantage!
To Have and Not Have: Having trouble saving money? As a young adult, it is often difficult to save and budget our finances.This workshop will provide tips on how to make your savings work for you. The time to invest in your future is now!
Women of Color 25th Annual Conference: Impacting the World: Discovering and Maximizing Your Full Potential (Spring 2014)
April 11th- 12th
Friday, April 11th 7:00pm
Opening Ceremonies:
Beverly Bond, Actress & Producer of Black Girls Rock!
Saturday, April 12th 9:30am Conference Workshops:
Healthy is the New Sexy: It’s not uncommon for women of color to struggle with maintaining a consistent healthy life style.
DIVA: Female Version of a Hustler
Beyonce said it best. Women possess several gifts, but saving money may not come to mind immediately. How are you investing in your future?
Woman in the Mirror:
Be the change you want to see in the world. Why are women so quick to judge one another? Maintaining positivity and allowing that to positively affect those around you.
Building Your Empire:
Networking: where to start and how to keep your connections. You never know who you may need to know in the future to get the job you want.
Emotional Rollercoasters:
Going through a ton of different emotions in one day doesn’t make you different, depressed, or unstable. It makes you human.There are resources available all around you to get you back on track. It’s all about taking charge of your emotions are your life, not
falling victim to it. You already have all of the tools inside of yourself!
Women of Color 24th Annual Conference:
True Colors : Defining and embracing the real you
(Spring 2013)
Friday, April 5th - Sunday, April 7th
Friday, April 5th, 7:00 -8:30 pm
Opening Ceremonies:
Illini Union Abc
Keynote speaker Judy Smith and various performances
Saturday, April 18th, 10:00 am
Conference Workshops:
Psycho-educational workshops are designed to cater to various defining aspects of women to assist them in realizing and reaching their full potential
Sunday, April 7th, 12:00pm
Closing Ceremonies:
BNAACC
Barbeque Lunch to celebrate a successful weekend co-sponsor with Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc
Cosponsors:
OSMA , SORF, OEQA
Women of Color 23th Annual Conference:
Legacies, What are you leaving behind?(Spring 2012)
March 9th -11th 2012
Friday, March 9th
Opening Ceremonies:
Saturday, March 10
Conference Workshops:
Sunday March 11th
Barbecue
