News
February 17th, 2025
Young, Black, and Dope: Celebrating Excellence Beyond Boundaries, A Review
We hope you’re still feeling inspired after joining us for To Be Young, Black, and Dope! Your presence, energy, and engagement helped make this virtual gathering a powerful celebration of young Black leadership, resilience, and excellence. If you missed it, you can view the recording HERE.
From the thought-provoking panel discussion to the unforgettable words of wisdom from our community elders, this event reminded us that our ancestors’ legacies live on through the bold and brilliant leaders of today. Our stories, struggles, and triumphs are woven together, creating a collective movement that honors the past while shaping the future.
Too often, the brilliance and contributions of young Black people go unrecognized, despite the fact that they are leading movements, shaping culture, and redefining success in every space they enter. That’s why it is essential to not only create spaces where their voices are heard but to actively celebrate their achievements, innovations, and leadership. When we acknowledge and uplift the work of our young people, we reinforce the truth that Black excellence is not an exception—it is the norm.
Investing in young Black leaders means investing in the future of our communities. It means ensuring that the next generation has the resources, mentorship, and opportunities to thrive. It means understanding that the work they are doing now—whether in activism, the arts, entrepreneurship, or education—is just as valuable and deserving of recognition as the legacies of those who came before them.
While Black History Month is an important time of reflection and celebration, our history, our impact, and our brilliance cannot be confined to 28 days. Black excellence exists in every moment, in every generation, and in every space we occupy. That is why we must continue to celebrate and affirm Black identity, culture, and achievements all year long.
To be Young, Black, and Dope is not just a moment—it’s a movement. It’s a call to recognize our power, our resilience, and our ability to create change. As we continue to break barriers and build community, we encourage you to carry forward the conversations, connections, and commitments sparked during this event.
Key Takeaways from Our Panelists:
“Our ancestors are books that were never written.”
“Work smarter, not harder.”
“Stand on your principles, keep smiling, listen with intent.”
“It’s hard to do God-work without God—stay true to whatever fills your cup.”
“Rest is a form of resistance, and taking care of ourselves is part of the fight.”
“Life is to be lived, every day is a blessing.”
“Don’t try to change people’s minds.”
“Breaking down barriers is never a solo effort—be involved in all things.”
“‘Young, Black, and Dope’ is not just personal—it’s collective.”
“Move when the spirit says move—there has to be a ‘We’.”
“Mainstream narratives try to put Black identity into a box, but we don’t fit in a box.”
“The world may try to limit Black identity, but we continue to redefine and expand it.”
HERE IS THE MUST-SEE POEM BY THERESA THA SONGBIRD, You So Black
This program was more than a conversation—it was a call to action. A reminder that our existence is radical, our joy is resistance, and our unity is strength. Let’s continue to uplift, support, and empower each other as we move forward, together. A huge thank you to our incredible panelists, Courtney, Jess, and Omar, guest speaker, Schelley Michell-Nunn, and to YOU for being part of this moment. Let’s continue to uplift, support, and celebrate Black excellence—because we are dope every single day!
#YoungBlackDope