ALANA Conference invites students to lead through authenticity, culture and community

At SUNY Oswego, leadership is not limited to a title, position or organization. For the students behind the annual ALANA (African, Latino, Asian and Native American) Multicultural Leadership Conference, Sept. 26 to Oct. 3, it lives within impact. For them, leadership begins with understanding who you are, where you come from and how you can use those experiences to strengthen the community we call home.

The 2026 ALANA conference, themed “Leading through, Authenticity, Culture and Community,” will offer a week of events focused on leadership development, cultural appreciation and community connection. 

This event is created to offer a spotlight to the contributions of multicultural organizations at SUNY Oswego, the conference gives students an opportunity to learn from one another while developing skills they can carry into any organization and for their lives beyond the classroom. Organizations planning ALANA include the African Student Association, Asian Student Association, Black Student Union, Caribbean Student Association and Latino Student Union.

“It represents a space where students can see that their culture, identity and experiences all have a home on campus,” said Raaziyah Raymond, vice president of African Student Union. “I think there is something so powerful about creating a space where students do not have to separate who they are from how they lead.”

That connection is one of the conference’s central goals.

“People are always stronger together,” said Bija Kasu, president of the Asian Student Association. “Our differences are great opportunities for inspiration, growth and strength.” 

“I’m most excited for students to attend our events and feel empowered to take their leadership skills to the next level,” said Dorren Allen-Carr, assistant director of student engagement and leadership. “I hope students come to know that they can and should embrace their culture, their uniquenesses – the things that make them special.”

Week of activities

The 2026 conference will open Sept. 26 with an International Day of Peace Walk starting at 2:30 p.m. at the Marano Campus Center bys loop followed by the Unity Cook-Out at the Marano Campus Center Quad at 4 p.m. 

Programming will continue the following Monday, with a keynote titled “From Hardship to Leadership” by refugee advocate Mary Maker at the Hewitt Hall ballroom on Sept. 28 at 5 p.m. 

This week will also feature a student talent show, Night of Expression, on Sept. 30 at 5 p.m filling the Sheldon Hall ballroom with artistic performances. 

Leadership workshops will continue on Oct. 1 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m., covering topics including culture in the workplace, microaggressions, self-advocacy, creativity and comparison culture in the Marano Campus Center auditorium.

The conference will also encourage people to put leadership into practice through a campus community service project with the Office of Sustainability on Oct. 2, meeting at 1:30 p.m. at the Marano Campus Center Welcome Desk. 

The ALANA Multicultural Conference will conclude with the multicultural dinner with keynote speaker Jennifer Borrero, empowering students to pursue leadership opportunities, on Oct. 3 in the Hewitt ballroom, with doors opening at 5:30 p.m. This event will include a special tribute to Howard Gordon, a co-founder of the annual ALANA conference and mentor to generations of Lakers, celebrating his legacy and contributions to SUNY Oswego. 

Organizers emphasize that students do not have to belong to the ALANA organization to participate. 

“You do not have to be a member of an ALANA organization to belong in the room,” said Raymond. “The conference is an opportunity to learn about cultures and perspectives that may be different from your own, while also learning more about yourself as a leader.”

For another planning committee member, the conference is ultimately an opportunity to see the potential within, an opportunity to invest in oneself. 

“I hope they can take away that the most important part of the puzzle is investing in themselves,” said Kasu. “Leadership, culture and inclusion all begin within.”

With events spanning in the many angles of leadership, this year's conference invites students to not only learn about community, but actively become a part of it.

“ALANA week is basically a week of free events with snacks,” said Kernizan. “There’s no harm in coming and potentially gaining a new network connection, or learning something new. 

For more information, visit the ALANA Multicultural Leadership Conference website.

– Written by Jose Vazquez Nava of the Class of 2027