Melissa Calixte ’26 remembers the day she learned about the student organization Black Women’s Blueprint.
Perusing Bryant University’s annual Involvement Fair, Calixte was searching for clubs to join when someone called her over to their organization’s table. Ending up in conversation with Black Women’s Blueprint’s marketing director, Calixte was intrigued by the club and signed up. She then went to tell Brianna Aigbogum ’26 — who’d joined her at the Involvement Fair but was at another club’s table — about the organization. Like Calixte, Aigbogum decided to write her name down as well. Fast-forward two years, both women now serve as co-presidents of the club and are spearheading Black Women’s Blueprint’s annual Women of Color Conference, which will take place on March 29.
Excited to see the event come to life in just over a week, the two are eager to have Bryant community members and the public listen and engage in day-long conversations.
“I hope they walk away feeling empowered and motivated to go out and do what they want in life,” says Calixte, a Finance major who — in addition to being co-president — serves as Black Women’s Blueprint’s public relations director. “This conference is open to everyone; we want people from all backgrounds to be there and really have it be an inclusive space for everyone.”
Established in 2020, the conference’s theme this year is “Crowned in Her Power: Strengthening Women of Color in Every Space.” During the event, attendees will hear from keynote speaker Gwen Jimmere — the first, and only, African American woman to hold a patent for a natural hair company. Her “Naturalicious” products are available worldwide and can be found at stores like ULTA, Whole Foods, and Sally Beauty. Prior to Jimmere’s keynote and Q&A session, attendees will hear from four breakout session speakers: Glenda Lezeau, Shelley Worrell, Veronica Wallace ’23, ’24MBA, and Visiting Assistant Professor of History, Literature, and the Arts Danielle Macon, Ph.D.
Lezeau, a mental health advocate from North Carolina, will lead a session on embracing your roots. As author of Letters to my Bipolar Self, she looks at self-love, acceptance, and turning stereotypes into something positive. Meanwhile, Worrell — founder and CEO of I AM CaribBeing — will discuss how she weaved her Caribbean and Latinx heritage into a business that she loves. Later in the afternoon, attendees will hear from Wallace and her experience working as a sports management associate for Kraft Sports and Entertainment. Lastly, Macon will share her life journey and how she got to where she is today.
Ultimately, Calixte and Aigbogum want to help attendees feel empowered and assist them in using their voice.
“We want to create a space where they feel like they belong and don’t feel like they have to change who they are,” says Aigbogum, a Finance major who also serves as Black Women’s Blueprint’s treasurer.
Click here to sign up for Black Women’s Blueprint’s Women of Color Conference, which will run from 11 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on March 29 in the Academic Innovation Center’s Innovation Forum.
