5th Annual Black Leadership Conference
April 11 - 12, 2008

A Message From the Black Leadership Conference Committee Chair

2008 Black Leadership Conference:

Dear Actors,

On behalf of the Black Leadership Conference Committee, we would like to thank you for your presence at Georgia Tech's 5th Annual Black Leadership Conference. The theme for the conference is "Bridging the Gap between vision and Action". Our committee has been working diligently for almost a year to ensure that you receive insightful workshops and powerful speakers at this year's conference.

Inside all of us is the potential to do great things and achieve our goals and aspirations. But what is not easily acquired is the ability to know how to work toward our goals and visions. For this reason it is imperative that our community not only stresses the importance of dreams, but the necessity and invaluability of work ethic and drive.. It is our responsibility as a people to know that it "takes a village to raise a child". We all are responsible for helping our fellow people achieve their goals and aspirations. We must recreate the cycle of encouraging one so that they can encourage others.

At the end of this conference, we would like for everyone who attends to see themselves as performers. It is time for our community to put learn to put our dreams and aspirations into fruition. We hope that this conference will inspire every participant to help the next person reach his or her potential.

With this mission we hope that you enjoy all the aspects of this conference. Thank you for your presence and your willingness to inspire others and be inspired.

 

Sincerely,

Jared O'Neal and Marcel Lawson
Black Leadership Conference Co-Chairs, 2008
African American Student Union

Purpose

Historically, AASU has been a vehicle for change and expression on this campus. AASU is a platform for a dispersed student body to come together and have a collective voice. We are charged with encouraging black students to become positively and integrally involved in and aware of issues in their community whether on campus, in the surrounding community, our nation or across cultures.

In order to fulfill this responsibility, AASU provides educational and social events associated with black history, culture, and entertainment for the GT community. AASU also creates opportunities for black students to gain leadership experience and recognizes accomplishments and talents within the black student body, which may be overlooked.

As a result, AASU's executive board consistently produces alumni who continue leadership into their professional and personal lives. In our effort to continue bettering the lives of the African-American students at Georgia Tech, we are planning Georgia Tech's 4th Annual Black Leadership Conference.

AASU believes the Black Leadership Conference will be a great asset for developing future black leaders by empowering them to reach their leadership potential. AASU seeks to help cultivate a well-balanced individual. The Black Leadership Conference aims to foster personal growth and career development, establish community involvement, empower students to use their leadership ability to accomplish their goals, and provide opportunities for students to network with prominent business and community leaders, along with their fellow student leaders.

We hope you enjoy the conference!