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The 19th Annual Leadership Conference will get underway at 4:30 p.m. today with a pre-conference workshop for teachers facilitated by Dr. Fred Figliano and Eujon Anderson. The topic of the workshop is “Engineering Design Through Integrated STEM Education.”

The conference will officially open tonight at 6:15 at Troy University’s Trojan Center. The opening keynote speaker will be Dr. Mary Frances Berry who, for more than four decades, has been one of the most visible and respected activists in the cause of civil rights, gender equality and social justice. Serving as chairperson of the U.S. Civil Rights Commission, Berry led the charge for equal rights and liberties for all Americans over the course of four Presidential administrations.

On Saturday morning, the General Session speakers will be Lieutenant General Gwen Bingham, (Ret.), Col. Nathan C. Mooney II, Rev. Curtis Kennington, Christopher Scott and Tiffany Slater.

Bingham is a United States Army retired three-star general. She was deployed to Kuwait and Afghanistan in support of Operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom. She has been a trailblazer, serving as the first woman to hold numerous positions as a General Officer. Bingham’s awards included the 2019 White House Correspondents’ “Be Fearless” award and the 2019 Joint Women’s Leadership in Excellence Meritorious Service Award. 

Mooney currently serves as the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Chair and Associate Professor of Strategic Leadership at the Dwight D. Eisenhower School for National Security and Resource Strategy at the National Defense University in Washington D.C.  Mooney also serves as co-leader for the Eisenhower School’s Space and Counterspace Industry.

Kennington has been at St. Mark’s Episcopal Church in Troy since June 2017. During his time in Troy, Kennington has worked to foster a strong and diverse community with progressive teachings and outreach. He has a large heart which is evident in his work.

Scott is an engineer and entrepreneur. As a network engineer, he remotely manages three of AT&T’s network sites in Costa Rica, Guatemala and El Salvador. He owns and operates a personal finance and life education brand called LifeLiteracy and a photo booth company.

The 19th Annual Leadership Conference will close at noon on Saturday. The closing keynote speaker will be Peggy Wallace Kennedy, the daughter of the late, George C. Wallace.

Kennedy has participated on special panels and delivered keynote addresses at national and state conferences, government agencies and corporate events. She has participated in programs at the National Archives, Congressional Forums with Congressman John Lewis and on the 50th Anniversary of the Selma to Montgomery March.

Adult registration for the 2020 Leadership Conference is $30. Student registration is $15. Registrations may be made at the door.