24 th Annual African American Leadership Conference
“Challenges and Opportunities”
April 18, 2023
West Tennessee AgResearch and Education Center
(605 Airways Blvd., Jackson)
Cost: $40 per person
Conference Agenda
Conference Emcee: Anne Banks, Brownsville, WestStar ‘97
8:00 Registration & Continental Breakfast
8:20 Welcome
Dr. Philip Acree Cavalier, Interim Chancellor, The University of Tennessee at Martin
Dr. Charley Deal, Vice Chancellor, University Advancement, The University of Tennessee at Martin, WestStar
‘00
8:30 Keynote - Leadership
Tommie “TJ” Kirk, Vice President of Student Services, Freed-Hardeman University
9:15 Blue Oval City / SK
Mayor Bill Rawls, City of Brownsville, WestStar ’23
Sheronda Green, Community Engagement Lead, Blue Oval City/SK Innovation, WestStar ‘05
9:45 What Does Readiness Look Like? Are we ready for Blue Oval City?
Panel Moderator: Evelyn Robertson, Whiteville, WestStar ‘97
Mayor Julian McTizic, City of Bolivar, WestStar ‘18
Mayor Gene Bowden, City of Whiteville, WestStar ‘22
Dr. Versie Hamlett, Superintendent of Fayette County Schools, WestStar ’23
Don McCorry, Executive Director, African American Chamber of Commerce, Jackson
Shalondria Shaw, West Tennessee Regional Apprenticeship, Tenn. Dept. of Labor & Workforce Development,
WestStar ’20
10:45 Break
11:15 TCAT
James Farmer, Career Pathways Coordinator, Tennessee College for Applied Technology (TCAT), Jackson
11:45 Lunch – Entertainment by Lauderdale County High School Choir
12:30 Real Estate & Planning
Brenda DePriest, Associate, RE/MAX Realty
Shelton Merrell, Regional Planner/RPO Coordinator, Southwest Tennessee Development District
1:15 Mental Health
Shelia Halliburton-Dieringer, Counselor, West Tennessee Healthcare
2:00 Awards/Door Prizes/Adjournment
This conference was made possible by the WestStar Leadership Program, City of Brownsville, Conner Real Estate, Mark Heaston (memory of Ruby Heaston), Mary Jones (memory of Ina Yarbrough ‘90), Jonah Housing Authority, TRANE of West Tennessee, and UT Institute for Public Service
Note: We reserve the right to substitute topics or speakers – no refunds
