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The 19th Annual Leadership Conference, hosted by Troy University will be held this weekend at Troy University’s Trojan Center.

The conference will open at 6:15 p.m. Friday with Dr. Mary Francis Berry as the keynote speaker. The closing event on Saturday will be at 11:30 a.m. with keynote speaker Peggy Wallace. 

Sheila Jackson, City of Troy Tourism and Public Relations director, said the Annual Leadership Conference continues to grow each year, in large part because of the outstanding slate of speakers.

“All Leadership Conference speakers leave us highly motivated and better prepared to go back and serve our communities whether in leadership roles or in supporting roles,” she said. “The theme for this year’s Leadership Conference is “Effective Leadership: Civically, Economically and Socially.’ And, our keynote and closing speakers are highly qualified to speak on leadership on all levels.”

Dr. Mary Frances Berry has been one of the most visible and respected activists in the cause of civil rights, gender equality and social justice. Peggy Wallace Kennedy is recognized as one of America’s most important voices for peace and reconciliation, Jackson said.

Berry has served as chairperson of the U.S. Civil Rights Commission. She led the charge for equal rights and liberties for all Americans over the course of four Presidential administrations.

Berry has been a trailblazer for women and African-Americans alike. She also became the first woman to head a major research university as Chancellor of the University of Colorado.

Jackson said Berry believes that each generation has the responsibility to make a dent in the wall of justice. “She will challenge each of us to accept that responsibility as it relates to us as leaders in our respective communities.”

Peggy Wallace Kennedy was born into one of the most powerful political families in the history of the American South. From her unique perspective of living behind the gates of the Alabama Governor’s Mansion as her father, George C. Wallace, rose to become one of America’s most influential populists, Kennedy shares a narrative of her family’s history and its relevance to the current version of the politics of rage.

“Mrs. Kennedy’s belief is that none of us should be held responsible for the circumstance of our birth, but all of us can be held responsible for who we become,” Jackson said.

The theme for the 2020 Leadership Conference is “Effective Leadership: Civically, Economically and Socially.”

“We should strive to be effective leaders, but not in just one of these areas, but in all three because they are intertwined to make strong communities, for now and for generations to come.”

The 2020 Leadership Conference will also feature pre-conference speakers, Dr. Fred Figliano and Eujon Anderson. The general session speakers for the 2020 Leadership Conference will be Retired Lieutenant General Gwen Bingham, Colonel Nathan C. Mooney II, Rev. Curtis Kennington, Christopher Scott and Tiffany Slater.

Adult registration is $30 and student registration is $15. Registration may be made at the door or via link: https://troy.edu/leadershipconference/registration.html.

For more information, contact Barbara Patterson at 334-670-3204.