This year’s Black Solidarity Conference at Yale really encouraged me. As it was my second time attending the conference, I had an idea of what to expect but this year really exceeding those expectations. I personally found the panel sessions really enlightening. Beginning with the panel on race and spirituality, the speakers really focused on mental health and the role the church can play to both aid and impede the fight for mental health awareness. Hearing the questions and personal stories from other students in the audience really galvanized the conversation. I personally loved how one of the panelists’ research, as he described to us, wove together faith, mental health, and the arts in the millennial black body specifically. From there, another panel discussed black girl joy and the role accountability and access plays in that conversation. Rachel Cargle is an activist, author, and social media personality who talked about maintaining authenticity while inhabiting primarily white spaces. As a black girl at a PWI, I can resonate with the dilemma that she portrayed. After her lecture, we even got to take pictures with her and discuss some of our initiatives on campus.
Lastly, what I love about the Yale conference is that it provides so many formative experiences outside of the conference itself. For example, each year it serves as a way to connect with other black students from Georgetown whom I may not otherwise see, especially now that I am a senior. I also look forward to seeing the continuities and changes in the on-campus art gallery. Ultimately, the Black Solidarity Conference provides a comprehensive experience: from academic enrichment, to personal development, to strengthening relationships back on campus. Overall, I am glad for the opportunity to go!
