Mentoring and Leadership Conference

Schedule

Thursday, March 5: Honoring Legacy, Inspiring Possibility

8:00AM - 8:00PM

Conference Registration

M Social Hotel, 55 Church Street, 3rd floor
Welcome 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 floor
Enjoy 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

fresh,sweet,croissants,with,butter,and,orange,jam,for,breakfast.
8:00AM - 9:00AM

Breakfast

CCC, Gallery 2A and 2B
Start 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.
close,up,of,photographer,holding,camera,with,portrait,of,black
8:00AM - 5:00PM

Headshots

CCC, Lounge near Hub 4
Take 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.
thurgood marshall
9:15AM - 10:30AM

Law and Public Policy

CCC, Hall 2
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat. Duis aute irure dolor in

Basil Smikle

School of Professional Studies, Columbia University

Kendra Gaither ’96

U.S. Chamber of Commerce
img 5865
12:00PM - 2:00PM

Sponsor Lunches

Locations as Assigned
Sponsor Luncheons give Scholars exclusive access to JRF’s corporate partners through curated conversations that offer insight into workplace culture, career paths, and networking opportunities.
lipny jackierobinsonmuseum gr 230305 26
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.
digg2157
2:45PM - 3:15PM

Senior Class Rehearsal

CCC, Hall 2
Senior 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
0f0a5836
3:15PM - 4:15PM

Jack Talks Rehearsal

CCC, Hub 1
Jack 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.
ell 6560
3:15PM - 4:15PM

Talent Show Rehearsal

CCC, Hub 3
Talent 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 Entrance
Buses 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

rich,continental,breakfast,menu.,delicious,natural,food,for,tasty,morning
8:00AM - 9:00AM

Breakfast

CCC, Gallery 2A and 2B
Kick 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.
ell 3504 alt
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.
868a6361 copy
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