In 2011, YPN-ULEM established an Annual Leadership Development Conference (LDC) to provide opportunities for young professionals enhance their personal and professional development skills in order to advance in leadership and their career paths. The conference is designed to address issues related to educational, personal and professional development. Additionally, this conference serves as a program for the National Urban League Young Professionals Day of Empowerment, a nationwide service activity held in conjunction with the National Urban League Guild. 

This year's theme, #CantStopWontStop: Continuing the Fight, explores the feelings of despite the outcome of the presidential election, we must come together as a community and move forward as one unit. Our individual empowerment and continued hope for change, will strengthen the whole and build a solid foundation for the future leaders among us. Although we experience setbacks, the journey towards our personal development and community success will never and should never falter. We already have the power to change our present and future. This year’s Leadership Development Conference will show you how.

WINNER

2013 Be A Better Bud Program Award

2016 National Day of Empowerment Award

Keynote

Speaker

Adam Foss

Former Assistant District Attorney
Founder, Prosecuter Impact

Featured Speaker

Nicole Roberts Jones

Author & Speaker
CEO, Fierce

DiDi Delgado

Award Winning Poet,Author, Activist & Freelance Journalist

Raymond Two Hawks Watson

Artivist, Community Activist, Educator, Cultural Practitioner and Convener

James Mackey

Activist, Philanthropist, Motivational Speaker, Founder of #StuckOnReplay

Justice Shannon Frison

Massachusetts Superior Court Judge                           

Nyah Macklin

Chief Advisor & Legislative Aide for the Massachusetts House of Representatives

Carlos J. Clanton

President of the National Urban League Young Professionals

Tamika LeRay, MS CCC-SLP

Founder & Lead Visionary of Salt + Lyte 

Nancy Rachel Rousseau

Founder & President of Cultivate Womanhood, Inc.

Noah B. Jones

Financial Advisor, New York Life Insurance

Michelle Brathwaite

Regional Vice President, Primerica

Jamil Crews

Eastern Region Vice President; National Urban League Young Professionals

LV Randolph III

Founder & CEO, Cambridge Argillite, Inc.

Tayla Andre

Radio/TV Personality, Community Activist & Social Media Director; Project Chica

J. Gustavo

Startup Consultant; Gustavo & Associates

Dorothea Jones

Secretary; National Council of Urban League Guild 

Carlos Henriquez

Former MA State Representative & Community Activist 

Michael Gaskins

Diversity Recruitment Officer & Examination Administrator for Boston Police Department 

8:30am – 9:30am

REGISTRATION OPEN

9:00am – 10:00am

OPEN PLENARY: Leading During Opposition & Changing Perceptions

10:00am – 11:00am

TRACK I CONCURRENT WORKSHOPS

Who Are You? Aligining Your Values and the World Around You

Work Hard! Play Hard!

The Dream Isn't Enough: Mobilizing & Creating Change in Local Government

NDOE Empowerment Track: Small Business Financing Options

11:15am – 12:15pm

TRACK II CONCURRENT WORKSHOPS

A Seat at the Table: Finding a Voice in Today's Criminal & Judicial Systems

Escaping Generational Debt & Creating Generational Wealth

NDOE Empowerment Track: Bankroll YOUR Brilliance

12:25pm – 1:35pm

BUSINESS PLENARY LUNCHEON:  Using Your Strengths

1:35pm – 2:35pm

 NETWORKING POWER HOUR

**GRAND PRIZE: Flight & Registration to

NUL Conference 2018 in Columbus, Ohio**

2:45pm – 3:45pm

TRACK III CONCURRENT WORKSHOPS

Addressing the White Elephant in the Room

The Future of Civil Rights: Bridging the Divide Between Yesterday and Today's Leaders

Overcoming Imposter Syndrome

NDOE Empowerment Track: Resurrecting Black Wall Street

4:00pm – 5:00pm

CLOSING PLENARY:  #WeGonnaBeAllright - Becoming A Formidable Ally in the Fight