Stanford Black Business Student Association presents

Designing
Influence

A gathering of bold thinkers, emerging leaders, and changemakers from all backgrounds, united by a shared belief in the power of leadership to shape a better future.

Date Wednesday, February 17, 2027
Time 10 AM to 5 PM
Where Stanford Graduate School of Business
Get tickets See the schedule
A woman dancing with one arm raised, in a black and white archival photo

This year's theme

Influence begins with intention.

Influence shapes the businesses we build, the stories we tell, the communities we strengthen, and the futures we imagine. Designing Influence explores how leaders turn their ideas, experiences, and ambitions into meaningful change, and what it takes to move from having a seat at the table to shaping what happens next.

Rooted in the Black experience and open to all, the 2027 Black Leadership Conference brings together students, alumni, and leaders across business, technology, policy, and culture for candid conversations, fresh perspectives, and practical lessons on leading with intention.

About the conference
BBSA members gathered under a sandstone arch on Stanford's Main Quad

Where people, ideas, and communities come together to shape what's next.

Wednesday, February 17

Conference schedule

Full schedule

  1. 10:00 AM

    Registration, breakfast, and networking

  2. 11:00 AM

    Opening remarks and Dean's welcome

  3. 11:15 AM

    Leading at Scale

  4. 12:15 PM

    Lunch and networking

  5. 1:30 PM

    Developing Enduring Brands

  6. 2:30 PM

    Health is Power

  7. 3:00 PM

    Keynote speaker

  8. 4:00 PM

    Closing remarks and networking

Times are tentative. The full schedule, with speakers and rooms, will be posted closer to the conference.

Featured speakers

Speakers coming soon

Hear first by email
DI

To be shared

DI

To be shared

DI

To be shared

DI

To be shared

A full audience at a past Black Leadership Conference

Past conferences

More than 40 years of Black leadership at the GSB

Since 1982, the conference has been a place for Black students, alumni, and leaders across industries to come together, learn from one another, and build community at Stanford.

Explore past conferences

Past speakers include

Oprah Winfrey, Magic Johnson, Ken Chenault, Tracee Ellis Ross, Valerie Jarrett, Condoleezza Rice, Stacey Abrams, Andre Iguodala, Bozoma Saint John, Michael Seibel, Tina Perry, Danessa Myricks

The main stage at a past Black Leadership Conference Two speakers in conversation on stage Two speakers smiling on stage A fireside conversation at a past conference A speaker and moderator seated on stage The conference team on stage in front of a screen reading A Great Day to Be Black at Stanford

Meet the team

The people behind this year's conference

Brooke Watson

Brooke Watson

Conference Co-Chair

LinkedIn
Cameron Capers

Cameron Capers

Conference Co-Chair

LinkedIn
Garrett Clinton

Garrett Clinton

Conference Co-Chair

LinkedIn
Tafui Leggard

Tafui Leggard

Conference Co-Chair

LinkedIn

Tickets

Join us on February 17

Tickets are open to GSB students, Stanford students, alumni, and guests.

Get tickets

Get involved

There is a place for you in this

Volunteer

Help on the day with registration, speaker coordination, and keeping sessions running smoothly.

Sign up to volunteer

Partner with us

Support the conference and Gala as a sponsor or partner, and connect with the GSB community.

Partnership inquiries

Alumni

Come back as an attendee, a speaker, or a thought partner in shaping this year's program.

Reconnect with BBSA

Stay in the loop

Speaker announcements, ticket releases, and Gala details, sent sparingly.

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