Powerhouse speakers headline inaugural leadership summit at Tulane SPHTM

(From Left to Right: Photos of Marc Morial, John King, and Derrick Johnson) 

This fall the Tulane School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine will launch the inaugural Mathias de Sousa Leadership Summit, featuring keynote presentations by some of the most dynamic leaders in their industries.

Speakers will include John King, former secretary of education under President Barack Obama and current president of the Education Trust, Marc Morial, former New Orleans mayor and current president and CEO of the Urban League, and Derrick Johnson, president and CEO of the NAACP. The summit will be held on Saturday, October 30. 

In order to be as inclusive as possible to students nationwide, the summit will be held in a virtual format and will provide a variety of experiences. Workshops and discussions focusing on the topics of leadership, personal growth, and civic engagement will be open to both undergraduate and graduate students in all degree programs. 

Dr. Alicia Battle, associate dean for online programs for the school, says that this leadership summit bridges a gap between being a student and becoming a working professional. Too often, she says, much-needed leadership skills are not offered in ways that are accessible to the students who are passionate about their personal growth and professional development. 

The leadership summit will provide a balance of resources and networking opportunities to students free of charge thanks to the generous support of several sponsors including Noodle Partners, Historic St. Mary’s City History Museum, St. Mary’s College of Maryland, St. Mary’s College Center for the Study of Democracy and NAACP Chapter 7025. 

Recognized as the first person of color to hold office in what would become the United States of America—Mathias de Sousa was selected by event organizers as the inaugural representative of this year’s summit because of his legacy that paved the way for leaders to this day. 

Learn more about the Mathias de Sousa Leadership Summit and register to attend by October 22, 2021.