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Black, Indigenous, People of Color Summit

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Program Goal:

Create a community space for Black, Indigenous, People of Color (BIPOC) to connect around shared or similar identity(s), while addressing the realities of being a person of Color within the creative industry. This program will uplift and empower BIPOC voices through dialogue on topics of personal development, professional growth, and opportunities beyond graduation.

Summit Outcomes:

As a result of participating in the BIPOC Summit, students will:

  1. Build a strong network of BIPOC creatives.
  2. Explore and expand upon their identity as a BIPOC person within their own personal development.
  3. Identify individual/community strengths and assets as BIPOC creatives for professional growth and opportunities.
  4. Explore how their identity(ies) influence their journey within the creative industry.
  5. Identify strategies for academic success to provide a successful transition into a creative field.
Who is Eligible?:

All incoming and current students who self-identify as Black, Indigenous, or Person of Color (BIPOC) are eligible for this program. This program is focused on the experiences and narratives of BIPOC-identified persons in the creative field and will offer opportunities for students to self-explore and build connections around this focus.

How to Register:

If you self-identify as BIPOC and are an incoming or current student who would like to participate in this free program, please click here to register. The deadline to register is Friday, January 8th.

Summit Dates:

The BIPOC Student Summit is designed as a virtual two-day experience that will run prior to the start of the Spring semester. The program dates are Tuesday, January 12 - Wednesday, January 13, 2021. 

Summit Fee:

This program is completely FREE! All you have to do is register for the program and await further details.

Program Design At-A-Glance (all times are PST)

  • Tuesday, January 12th
    Program/Activity Start End Presenter(s) Description
    Welcome/Opening Keynote

    11:30 am PST 

    		 12:30 pm PST 

    Regis Peeples, LAS Lecturer

    		 Listen to Regis Peeples, Liberal Arts and Sciences Lecturer, share their experiences navigating the creative world as a seasoned professional. They will discuss how they incorporated their personal narrative and sense of identity into their creative practice.
    Break 12:30 pm PST  12:35 pm PST     
    Session 1: Crafting Your Narrative: An Interactive Workshop 12:35 pm PST  2:00 pm PST  Regis Peeples, LAS Lecturer

    Participants will engage in an interactive workshop on crafting your narrative as a BIPOC creative. This session will introduce you to tangible skills that help you focus on what makes your creative practice unique and valuable.
    Wellness Break 2:00 pm PST  2:30 pm PST    Take a break!
    Session 2: BIPOC Industry professionals Roundtable 2:30 pm PST  4:00 pm PST 

    Facilitator: Katie Núñez, Assistant Director of Career Services     

    Panelists: Narda Chan (Vice President Design, Kate Spade); Shandi Alexander (Fashion Stylist and Fashion Writer, Fashion Show Collection Production, Management and Coordination; KCD, Calvin Klein, Prodject); Kimara Mitchell (Creative Director, Quay Australia); Alicia Skehan (Handbag Design Consultant, Founding Member; The Co-Lab)

    		 This roundtable will include creative professionals from varying industries discussing practical insights that will help individuals as they enter their respective fields. 
  • Wednesday, January 13th
    Session/Program Start End Presenter(s) Description
    Session 3: Navigating Micro & Macroaggressions in Academic and Creative Spaces 9:30 am PST  10:25 am PST  James Birks, Director of Student Counseling Services & Nicholas Negrete, Dean of Student Affairs This session will discuss what micro and macroaggressions are and how they show up within academic and creative spaces. Participants will learn strategies on how to navigate these situations as a BIPOC person.
    Session 4: Curating & Branding a Dynamic Portfolio  10:30 am PST  11:30 am PST 

    Facilitator: Anna Ogier-Bloomer, Executive Director of Career Services                               Panelists: Lorenzo Crump, Toy Design '20 & Sofia Enriquez, BFA Communication Arts/Illustration '14

    		 This session will explore ways to develop and curate a diverse portfolio that creates more opportunities for one in their professional journey.  
    Wellness Break 11:30 am PST  12:00 pm PST    Take a break!
    Session 5: Whats Next?: Exploring Opportunities in the Creative Field 12:00 pm PST  12:55 pm PST  JoAnn Staten, Assistant Chair of LAS & Melissa Lo, Chair of LAS This session will explore various professional opportunities for students, which include but are not limited to internships, jobs, and graduate school. The session will highlight success strategies that include incorporating LAS and Career services resources into your academic plan
    Closing & Celebration 1:00 pm PST 2:00 pm PST  Gena Smith, BFA Fine Arts 21'  The closing will include a student perspective on the power of owning one's narrative to be successful in the creative industry.