2026 Black Student-Athlete Summit: Full Schedule

Welcome to the 2026 Black Student-Athlete Summit!

You will be able to validate your attendance (Check-In to sessions) using your personal schedule.

10:35am PDT

Sports Professionals: Leagues | Teams | Universities

Thursday May 21, 2026 10:35am - 11:25am PDT

The William W. Knight Law Center - Room #175

Room #175
You love the game, but what happens when the game is over? The sports industry does not stop when the final buzzer sounds. There is an entire world of professionals working inside leagues, teams, and universities every single day. These former student-athletes made the transition from competing to operating, and they are here to show you exactly how they did it.

Speakers

DeLaina Sarden

Parker Executive Search

Cory Higgins

Brooklyn Nets

Shea Dawson

Overtime Elite

Orlando Johnson

Washington State

Thursday May 21, 2026 10:35am - 11:25am PDT
The William W. Knight Law Center - Room #175

Student-Athletes Only

Audience Student-Athletes

11:35am PDT

Sports Professionals | Leagues | Teams | Universities

Thursday May 21, 2026 11:35am - 12:25pm PDT

The William W. Knight Law Center - Room #175

Speakers

DeLaina Sarden

Parker Executive Search

Cory Higgins

Brooklyn Nets

Shea Dawson

Overtime Elite

Orlando Johnson

Washington State

Thursday May 21, 2026 11:35am - 12:25pm PDT
The William W. Knight Law Center - Room #175

Student-Athletes Only

Audience Student-Athletes

1:15pm PDT

Microdosing Wellness: Practical Strategies to Enhancing Wellness

Thursday May 21, 2026 1:15pm - 2:00pm PDT

The William W. Knight Law Center - Room #175

Room #175
This session will explore practical tools and strategies to microdose wellness strategies in your busy lives. From work, to home, relationships, and other responsibilities, how do you find the time to implement effective strategies to regulate your nervous system and improve your relationships.

Speakers

Lenecia Nickell

Associate AD, Sport Psychology and Wellness, University of Cincinnati

Siani Brown

Recent Master of Public Health Graduate & Former Student Athlete, Temple University

Thursday May 21, 2026 1:15pm - 2:00pm PDT
The William W. Knight Law Center - Room #175

Professionals Only

2:15pm PDT

Built to Care, Forced to Compromise: College Sport Employees and Cultural Change

Thursday May 21, 2026 2:15pm - 3:00pm PDT

The William W. Knight Law Center - Room #175

Room #175
Drawing on interviews with former college sport professionals, Dr. Hancock will reveal how industry-wide transformation is reshaping not just the business of sport, but the people working inside it.

Speakers

Dr. Meg Hancock

Professor of Sport Administration, University of Louisville

Thursday May 21, 2026 2:15pm - 3:00pm PDT
The William W. Knight Law Center - Room #175

Professionals Only

3:15pm PDT

Stay Ready at All Times: The Role of Search Firms in Advancing Your Career

Thursday May 21, 2026 3:15pm - 4:00pm PDT

The William W. Knight Law Center - Room #175

Room #175
Discussing how professionals seeking to advance their careers are attractive candidates for search firms to consider.

Speakers

DeLaina Sarden

Parker Executive Search

Thursday May 21, 2026 3:15pm - 4:00pm PDT
The William W. Knight Law Center - Room #175

Professionals Only

10:45am PDT

Mastering the Pivot

Friday May 22, 2026 10:45am - 11:45am PDT

The William W. Knight Law Center - Room #175

Jaqua 100

Dr. Derrick Gragg currently serves as Northwestern University’s Vice President for Athletic Strategy after serving three years as the university’s first Black Vice President for Athletics and Recreation. A long-time athletic director, college sports administrator, and higher education leader, Gragg joined Northwestern after serving as the NCAA’s senior vice president for inclusion, education and community engagement.

Dr. Gragg will lean upon his decades of experience as a leader to discuss the importance of mastering change and embracing what comes from pivoting personally and professionally.

Speakers

Dr. Derrick Gragg

Friday May 22, 2026 10:45am - 11:45am PDT
The William W. Knight Law Center - Room #175

Professionals Only

1:15pm PDT

Leading with Clarity: Staying Encouraged and Effective in Times of Change

Friday May 22, 2026 1:15pm - 1:50pm PDT

The William W. Knight Law Center - Room #175

Room #175
Bringing senior leaders together to examine the shifting balance of authority in college athletics. As financial pressures grow, athlete rights evolve, and institutional missions are tested, this conversation explores who is truly shaping the direction of the industry—and at what cost.

Speakers