Thursday, March 5: Honoring Legacy, Inspiring Possibility
8:00AM - 8:00PM
Conference Registration
M Social Hotel, 55 Church Street, 3rd floorWelcome to MLC and the M Social Hotel World Trade Center—your home for the next three days. Upon arrival, collect your registration materials, pick up your room key, and get settled in before the Opening Dinner.
7:00PM - 8:45PM
Opening Dinner
Convene Conference Center (CCC), 225 Liberty Street, 2nd floorEnjoy an evening of food, fun and fellowship with JRF peers from across the country. Be sure to show your school spirit by wearing a branded tee or sweat shirt.
Della Britton
Jackie Robinson Foundation
Keisha Taffe
Jackie Robinson Foundation
Runako Gulstone
Jackie Robinson Foundation
Friday, March 6: Leadership in a Changing World
8:00AM - 9:00AM
Breakfast
CCC, Gallery 2A and 2BStart the day with a buffet-style breakfast designed to fuel both conversation and connection. Enjoy a relaxed, open networking environment where you can engage freely with peers and mentors while sharing a meal.
8:00AM - 5:00PM
Headshots
CCC, Lounge near Hub 4Take advantage of the opportunity to receive a high-quality professional headshot during the conference. This experience allows participants to update their personal brand with a polished photo ideal for LinkedIn, resumes, and other professional platforms.
9:15AM - 10:30AM
Law and Public Policy
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Basil Smikle
School of Professional Studies, Columbia University
Kendra Gaither ’96
U.S. Chamber of Commerce
12:00PM - 2:00PM
Sponsor Lunches
Locations as AssignedSponsor Luncheons give Scholars exclusive access to JRF’s corporate partners through curated conversations that offer insight into workplace culture, career paths, and networking opportunities.
2:00PM - 5:00PM
Break and Dinner on Own
Free time to explore local sites such as the Jackie Robinson Museum, catch up on studying, or relax with friends. Be sure to plan accordingly and enjoy dinner during this window before regrouping for the evening’s Cultural Outing.
2:45PM - 3:15PM
Senior Class Rehearsal
CCC, Hall 2Senior Class Rehearsal brings members of the Class of 2026 together for a walkthrough of Saturday night’s JRF Alumni Association pinning ceremony during the Scholars Recognition Dinner. Seniors will practice processing in, confirm their majors, and ensure the correct pronunciation of their names.
Runako Gulstone
Jackie Robinson Foundation
3:15PM - 4:15PM
Jack Talks Rehearsal
CCC, Hub 1Jack Talks Rehearsal gives presenters the opportunity to refine their talks in a supportive, practice-based setting. Presenters will run through their PowerPoints, practice delivery, and respond to sample questions from mentors in preparation for Sunday morning’s plenary session.
3:15PM - 4:15PM
Talent Show Rehearsal
CCC, Hub 3Talent Show Rehearsal offers participants dedicated time to practice and fine-tune their performances ahead of the showcase. Performers will run through acts, coordinate transitions, and prepare confidently for an engaging and entertaining talent show.
Keisha Taffe
Jackie Robinson Foundation
5:45PM - 9:30PM
Cultural Activity: Othello
M Social Hotel, Church Street EntranceBuses will depart at 5:45 PM for Lincoln Center, where participants will experience the opening night of Othello, a three-act American Ballet Theatre performance that reimagines Shakespeare’s tragic story of jealousy and betrayal through Lar Lubovitch’s bold choreography and an original score by Elliot B. Goldenthal.
Saturday, March 6: Skills, Innovation & Celebrating Excellence
8:00AM - 9:00AM
Breakfast
CCC, Gallery 2A and 2BKick off Day Two with a buffet breakfast designed to energize you for the day ahead. Gather over a shared meal to spark new conversations, strengthen connections, and ease into the morning alongside peers and mentors.
8:30AM - 9:00AM
Group Photos
The Group Photo Session brings the conference community together to capture a lasting moment of connection. Participants will gather for a professionally taken photo that commemorates the shared experience and spirit of MLC.
9:15AM - 10:30AM
Kings and Pawns: Jackie Robinson and Paul Robeson in America
Howard Bryant discusses his dual biography exploring how Jackie Robinson and Paul Robeson confronted racial injustice in different ways, and how power, politics, and patriotism shaped their legacies during mid-20th-century America.Howard Bryant
ESPN.com and ESPN the Magazine