Conference History
History of the Big Ten Conference on Black Student Leadership
The planning committee for the inaugural Big Ten Conference on Black Student Leadership was created in January of 2005 at The Ohio State University. The committee grew out of a need to provide empowering opportunities for Black students attending colleges and universities in the Big Ten region. By the winter of 2004, several members of Ohio State's Black Student Associations, and their advisors, had attended the Big XII Conference on Black Student Government for the fourth consecutive year.
While there was great value in attending this conference, Ohio State students approached two of their advisors, Bernie Savarese and Kelly Ignatoski, with concerns about the lack of a similar experience for students in the Big Ten region and with the hope of starting a conference of their own. After observing that there was a large number of committed students, Savarese and Ignatoski wrote a conference proposal that was taken to and approved by Ohio State's Student Affairs Planning Team.
Information sessions were then held across campus in October and November of 2005 to gauge interest and solicit applications from student leaders. By December of that same year two student co-chairs, Sirita M. Harvey and Jessica Loyd, were chosen, and a month later 22 committee co-chairs were selected. A conference planning committee retreat was held in February of 2006, after which, many committee members attended the 29th annual Big XII Conference on Black Student Government to network and gain insight into conference planning.
While at the conference, OSU students and advisors reconnected with Robert Page Jr., a long-standing advisor to the Big XII's conference planning team and continued supporter of Ohio State's efforts to create a Big Ten Conference on Black Student Leadership. By the summer of 2006 the conference date was set for January of 2008 and regular conference planning meetings had begun.
Members of the Inaugural Big Ten Conference on Black Student Leadership Planning Committee
Student Leaders
Sirita Harvey (co-chair), Jessica Loyd (co-chair), Rhea Alleyne, Lauren Cousar, Ebonique Davis, Desmond Ervin, India Harris-Jones, Melanie Holiday, Jasmin Jenkins, Tracey Jordan, Foday Kenneh, II, Dreaddi Larcher, Mia Mayfield, Danielle McKinney, Michelle Millar, Judy Obiofuma, Dominique Pierson, Tishanda Sparks, Elliot Walker, Lindsay Western, Cheryl Williams.
Conference Advisors
Kelly Ignatoski, Bernie Savarese.
Committee Advisors
Phil Badaszewski, Lance Ginn, Thyrone Henderson, Gina Kozlowski, Jamie Lodermeier-Fay, Katye Miller, Ramsey Piazza, Krystyne Savarese, Alice Schweihofer, Gaby St. Leger, Todd Suddeth, Jacob Wilk, Larry Williamson, Jr.