District 88 hosts annual BLACKtopia Conference, designed to support and inspire students and families

To view more photos, click on the image above (or go to www.dupage88.net/Blacktopia2025).

On Nov. 8, District 88 hosted the annual BLACKtopia Conference, which was coordinated by District 88 Student Success Coordinator Dr. VaLarie Humphrey.

The event focused on leadership, learning and legacy, with the theme of Black Out Loud. It was a day of connection and celebration, filled with sessions to enhance academic readiness, career exploration and whole-family empowerment.

More than 370 students and parents participated in the conference, which featured:

  1. Opening dance performances by Astronaut Flee.
     
  2. An inspiring question-and-answer session with Angelique Smith, founder and CEO of The Chicago Winds, a tackle football team in the Women’s National Football Conference (WNFC). Smith was interviewed by Taylor Musgrove, an Emmy Award-winning Producer at ABC7 Chicago. Rachel Karos, Head Coach of the Willowbrook Girls Flag Football Team, is the backup quarterback for The Chicago Winds.

  3. Student Workshops
    • Career Mapping: This session guided students through identifying passions and building pathways to purpose.

    • Financial Literacy: Led by Junior Achievement, this hands-on workshop challenged students to make real-life budgeting and saving decisions.

    • AI Usage: This session was presented by digital creative Tyrus Goshay, who opened minds to how artificial intelligence can be a powerful academic and creative tool.

  4. Parent Workshops
    • Financial Literacy for Families: Presented by BMO Bank, this workshop offered practical tools for building financial stability and generational wealth.

    • Mental Health for Black Students: Facilitated by Dr. Tamara Denton, this heartfelt discussion focused on nurturing emotional well-being and creating supportive spaces for students to thrive.
  1. Community Engagement
    • More than 100 volunteers from Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. Chi Sigma Omega Chapter and District 88 parents served with excellence throughout the day, ensuring every detail ran smoothly and every guest felt welcome.

    • The conference also included 10 vendors and 10 career representatives, giving families access to valuable resources, business connections and professional insights.