The 3rd Annual Districts Leading with Equity conference will be held at The I Hotel and Illinois Conference Center in Champaign. School boards, administrators, and teachers will be in attendance, including program sponsors. Keynote speakers will also be a significant part of the robust discussion and engaging meeting sessions.
Important: After you complete your event registration, you will receive an email confirmation with information to book your hotel room.
Become a diamond, platinum, gold, silver, or bronze level sponsor today! The conference provides an opportunity to showcase your products and services and engage with key decision makers. View our sponsorship packet for details about the sponsor levels and how to make a payment.
Please note that the call for DEI and Equity breakout session presenters for the 3rd Annual Districts Leading with Equity conference has officially closed. We are amazed and humbled at the response. Thanks to all who have submitted proposals!
KEYNOTE PRESENTER
Dr. Gholnescar (Gholdy) Muhammad is a Professor of Curriculum & Instruction with a focus on literacy, language, and culture. She has served as a classroom teacher, literacy specialist, school district administrator, curriculum director, and school board president. She studies Black historical excellence in education, with the goal of reframing curriculum and instruction today, and has received numerous honors and awards for that work. Dr. Muhammad's scholarship has appeared in leading academic journals and books. Her HILL Model has been adopted in thousands of schools and districts, and her bestselling books, Cultivating Genius and Unearthing Joy, have been read and revered by educators far and wide.
2024 TENTATIVE SCHEDULE
• Thursday, April 25, 2024: Pre-Conference Workshops
9:00 a.m. - Registration will be open until 4:00 p.m.
9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. - Principal Candidates Networking
12:00 p.m. - 1:00 p.m. - Principal Candidates Lunch
1:00 p.m. - 2:30 p.m. - Breakout Sessions
6:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. - Meet and Greet with live entertainment.
• Friday, April 26, 2024: Conference Schedule
7:30 a.m. - Registration will be open.
7:30 a.m. - 9:00 a.m. - Continental Breakfast
8:30 a.m. - 9:00 a.m. - Welcome and Opening
9:00 a.m. - 9:50 a.m. - Setting the Stage, Guest Speaker
10:00 a.m. - 10:50 a.m. - Breakout Sessions
11:00 a.m. - 11:50 a.m. - Breakout Sessions
12:00 p.m. - Networking, Lunch Buffet and Visit with Exhibitors
1:00 p.m. -1:50 p.m. - Breakout Sessions
2:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m. - Keynote speaker
3:00 p.m. - 3:10 p.m. - Health and Wellness Stretch
3:10 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. - Community Forum and Audience Questions
4:00 p.m. - Closing Speaker
Please note: The tentative schedule is provided for your planning and is subject to change without notice.
CREDITS FOR ATTENDING
BEAC through Eastern Illinois University will offer Continuing Professional Development Hours. Six (6) credits can be earned for attending this event. More information to come.
When you attend this event, you will learn about specific resources and tools to support school board members and district personnel to continually promote and enhance equity throughout their districts and interact with Program Staff who can answer questions.
ACCOMODATIONS
HOTEL
The I Hotel Conference Center, Hilton Garden Inn and Homewood Suites have a block of hotel rooms for the Equity conference. The room block will last until March 24 at the I Hotel and March 25 at the Hilton Garden and Homewood Suites. Be sure to reserve your room today.
Please note: After you complete your event registration, you will receive an email confirmation with the group codes to book your hotel room.
TRANSPORTATION
The closest airport is Willard Airport (CMI), which is 10 minutes away from the conference. BOOK EARLY FOR BEST FARES!
-
O'Hare International Airport (ORD) is 2.5 hours away.
-
Champaign Amtrak station (CHM) is 10 minutes away from conference.
-
Rental cars are available at Willard Airport.
-
Uber and Lyft are available at Willard Airport and locally.
