BGSU to host 26th annual Black Issues Conference on Feb. 25, focused on holistic well-being

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4. BGSU to host 26th annual Black Issues Conference on Feb. 25, focused on holistic well-being

BOWLING GREEN, Ohio - Building on a 26-year legacy of sparking discussion and cultural enrichment, Bowling Green State University will hold its annual Black Issues Conference from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 25, at the Bowen-Thompson Student Union.

With the theme of "Black Well-Being: Caring for Ourselves and Our Communities," this year's conference will focus on a holistic approach to health, promoting social, physical, financial, mental, emotional and spiritual wellness.

"This year, the city of Bowling Green is serving as one of the sponsors of the event," said Ana Brown, senior liaison of community, parent and family connections. "Sponsorship from the city and support from BGSU students, faculty and staff speak to the value of the Black Issues Conference as an educational opportunity for everyone in the region."

Organized and presented by BGSU students, faculty and staff, the public conference serves as a highly anticipated, annual professional development platform, empowering attendees from across the state to explore issues impacting Black Americans through interactive presentations and networking.

"It is an essential part of enhancing BGSU students' education outside of the classroom," Brown said. "Without their support and advocacy, we wouldn't be able to put this conference on each year. The work our students put into the conference helps them apply skills to their organizations, their passion areas and their majors."

This year's keynote speakers include:

• Dawn Burks '96 - School counselor for Toledo Public Schools and member of the Rossford Exempted Village Schools Board of Education
• Sharonda Glover '06 - Vice president of marketing and communications at the YWCA Metropolitan Chicago and principal consultant of Glover Disruptive, LLC
• Jimmie Hicks III '12 - Deputy director of responsible gambling at the Ohio Lottery Commission and director of planning for Start Right Community Development Corporation
• QuJuan Twilley '19 - Licensed clinical social worker, assistant director of the MSW program at The Ohio State University, and founder of Virtue Mental Health Studio

The 2026 BGSU Black Issues Conference is made possible in part by the City of Bowling Green Mayor's Office, BGSU Administrative Staff Council, BGSU Alumni Association, BGSU College of Arts and Sciences, BGSU College of Education and Human Development, BGSU CURS, BGSU Department of History, BGSU Department of Theatre and Film, BGSU Department of World Languages and Cultures, BGSU Division of Student Engagement and Success, BGSU-FA, BGSU Honors Learning Community, BGSU Kuhlin Hub, BGSU Life Design program, BGSU Office of Admissions, BGSU Office of Student Housing, BGSU Provost's Office, BGSU Psychology Department, BGSU Schmidthorst College of Business, BGSU School of Art, BGSU School of Culture and Critical Studies, BGSU Sociology Department and BGSU University Libraries.

For more information and to register to attend, visit BGSU.edu/bic.