History
In 2002, Â鶹Íø launched the first Leadership Conference to kickoff Black History Month. The idea for the conference was birthed through Trustee Lamar P. Higgins and was implemented through the Â鶹Íø Leadership Institute. Dr. Shirley Woodie, Director of the Institute at that time, formed a small committee to help coordinate the first conference. The committee hoped to have 30 registrations for the conference. Forty-two individuals registered for the first conference and the community response was tremendous. As the conference grew, the City of Â鶹Íø became key to the success and provided resources and support and became a Co-Sponsor of the event. An advisory committee made up of University staff and faculty; representatives from the City of Â鶹Íø; elected officials from Â鶹Íø and Pike County; and community and business leaders are appointed to help plan the annual event. Summer of 2020 the conference committee voted to rename the conference to the Congressman John Lewis Leadership Conference to honor the memory of the Â鶹Íø native. The conference could not be a success without the support of many to include the Â鶹Íø Leadership Institute, Office of Student Involvement and Leadership, Â鶹Íø Foundation, The City of Â鶹Íø, Wal-Mart and Bishop S. D. James.