Mentoring & Leadership Conference

About the Conference

The annual Mentoring and Leadership Conference (MLC) is a four-day gathering in New York City that brings together all JRF Scholars and runs alongside the JRF Alumni Reunion, creating valuable opportunities for networking and connection across generations.

Throughout the conference, Scholars explore career pathways, participate in interactive workshops, and engage with leaders from a wide range of industries. They also enjoy cultural activities and build meaningful relationships with fellow Scholars, alumni, and JRF staff.

Designed to support both personal and professional growth, the MLC equips Scholars with the skills, insight, and confidence to excel in college and prepare for life after graduation.

Audience

The audience is comprised of JRF’s 200 college scholarship students attending 102 different colleges and universities across the country. The attendees have strong academic acumen, demonstrated leadership skills, and are pursuing careers in a variety of professional fields.

Students studying in a classroom setting.

Theme: Building on the Past, Designing Our Future

Grounded in the legacies of Jackie Robinson and other history-making trailblazers, the 2026 Conference will encourage Scholars to take bold action in the presence of uncertainty, while moving forward with integrity and purpose. Critical conversations will be combined with essential skill-building activities intended to equip leaders for a rapidly changing global society. Through hands-on workshops, engaging panels, and dynamic connections with notable professionals, scholars will leave MLC with the tools needed to design their futures and make meaningful impact on their communities.

Conference Components

Plenaries (4 sessions)

MLC plenaries bring together distinguished leaders and innovators to explore today’s most pressing issues across business, politics, culture, and social impact. These high-energy conversations challenge Scholars to think critically, draw lessons from trailblazers, and consider their own role in shaping the future.

Conference Workshops (15 sessions)

Workshops offer interactive, skill-building experiences that strengthen leadership, career readiness, and personal development. Through hands-on activities and peer collaboration, Scholars gain practical tools to navigate college, community engagement, and emerging professional environments with confidence and purpose.

Industry Conversations: Skills, Tech, and the Changing World of Work

These dynamic sessions connect Scholars with professionals at the forefront of rapidly evolving industries. Panelists discuss emerging skills, the impact of technology and AI, and how organizations are preparing for the future. Roundtables deepen learning by giving Scholars space to reflect, ask questions, and envision their own career pathways.

Sponsor Lunches

Sponsor Luncheons provide Scholars with exclusive access to JRF’s corporate partners through curated visits and conversations. These immersive experiences offer real insight into workplace culture, internship pipelines, and career opportunities, helping Scholars build networks and understand diverse professional paths.

Regional Gatherings

Regional Gatherings create supportive spaces where Scholars reflect on their achievements and challenges from the past year. Guided by mentors, these sessions foster community, open dialogue, and peer support. Professional counselors are also available for additional guidance and personal well-being.

Jack Talks

Inspired by TED Talks, Jack Talks highlight the bold ideas and creative thinking of JRF Scholars. In 6–8 minute presentations, students share insights on social issues, personal growth, innovation, and community impact—showcasing the leadership potential and unique voices of the Scholar community.

Cultural Activity

MLC’s Cultural Activity exposes Scholars to the artistic richness of New York City. Through curated outings to performances, museums, and cultural institutions, Scholars experience the transformative power of the arts and gain a deeper appreciation for creativity, expression, and civic identity.

Scholars Recognition and Awards Dinner

This signature event honors Scholars who exemplify academic excellence, leadership, and service. The evening celebrates those making meaningful contributions to their communities while embodying the legacy and values of Jackie Robinson.

Event Schedule

Thursday, March 5

Honoring Legacy, Inspiring Possibility

As Scholars arrive in New York City, the conference begins with a warm Welcome Dinner that centers the theme Building on the Past, Designing Our Future. In the spirit of Jackie Robinson and the trailblazers who paved the way, this opening gathering encourages Scholars to reflect on the legacy they inherit while embracing the responsibility—and opportunity—to shape what comes next. It is an evening of connection, orientation, and celebration that sets the foundation for four days of learning, leadership, and transformative growth.

jackie robinson foundation scholars luncheon

Friday, March 6

Leadership in a Changing World

Friday launches with the first of several powerful Plenary Sessions, where influential leaders and innovators explore the pressing challenges and exciting possibilities shaping our communities, our nation, and the world. These conversations prompt Scholars to consider how lessons from the past can guide ethical decision-making and courageous leadership in a rapidly shifting landscape.

During Sponsor Luncheons, Scholars gain firsthand exposure to companies designing the future of their industries. Through behind-the-scenes tours and conversations with professionals, they learn how organizations are adapting to change, investing in talent, and creating new pathways for emerging leaders.

A second Plenary Session builds on the day’s reflections, inspiring Scholars to envision their impact as future trailblazers. The day concludes with immersive Cultural Outings that underscore the importance of creativity, diverse perspectives, and cultural understanding in shaping a thoughtful, well-rounded leader.

Saturday, March 7

Skills, Innovation & Celebrating Excellence

Saturday deepens the conference’s focus on action and application. A morning Plenary Session highlights the voices of visionaries who have translated bold ideas into meaningful change—reinforcing that designing the future requires courage, discipline, and imagination.

Two hands-on Workshop Sessions empower Scholars to develop essential skills for navigating complexity—strengthening their readiness for professional spaces, civic engagement, and personal resilience.

The afternoon’s Industry Conversations connect Scholars with experts across business, finance, the arts, engineering, healthcare, law, and public policy. These panels and roundtables illuminate how technology, evolving skill sets, and global dynamics are reshaping the world of work—and what strategies emerging leaders must adopt to stay ahead.

In the evening, the Scholar Recognition & Awards Dinner honors outstanding Scholars whose academic excellence, leadership, and service exemplify Jackie Robinson’s enduring legacy. It is a powerful celebration of achievement, purpose, and the future leaders poised to make meaningful impact.

Sunday, March 8

Scholar Voice, Reflection & Forward Momentum

The final day amplifies Scholar creativity, insight, and vision for the future. Jack Talks provide a platform for Scholars to deliver compelling, TED-style presentations that challenge traditional thinking and inspire action—showcasing how the next generation is already designing solutions for the world ahead.

A concluding Workshop Session reinforces key skills and learnings before Scholars move into Regional Gatherings, where they reflect on their personal journeys, share achievements and challenges, and receive support from mentors and counselors. These intimate spaces encourage honesty, community-building, and clarity about the future.

The conference closes with a joyful Dinner & Talent Show, celebrating the resilience, creativity, and community that define the JRF Scholar experience. Scholars leave MLC empowered, equipped, and inspired—prepared to honor the past, navigate uncertainty with integrity, and boldly design their futures.

March 5 through March 8, 2026