​When I started the Cultural Greek Leadership Conference (CGLC) in 2013 the aim was to create a space with affordable access to educational content supporting the fraternities and sororities that were historically an afterthought at more widely known collegiate fraternal conferences. To my surprise, beyond a learning environment centering Cultural-Based Fraternal Organizations (CBFOs), CGLC also became a safe space. A space where authenticity and vulnerability were welcomed and challenge and support were expected. While CGLC committee members have changed over the years, the commitment to affordability, staying abreast of challenges facing student leaders, volunteers, fraternity/sorority staff, and campus-based professionals has never wavered. 

 

In 2020, everyone had to pivot and figure out how to navigate virtual engagement in the middle of a global pandemic. While COVID-19 is still very real, we now face a new enemy, only this one can be seen. We face a national pandemic of hatred, intimidation, and political bullying. This pandemic is killing safety, security, accessibility, families, communities, education, history, peace, and people. 

 

Today our campus-based colleagues navigate a variety of challenges, some new and some familiar but more complex than before, including:

• major budget cuts,

• limitations to or elimination of professional learning experiences, and 

• battles for access to student leadership development opportunities rooted in inclusive and values-based education.

We are witnessing more severe impacts to the physical and psychological safety of our students. Attacks on higher education including the mischaracterization of the benefits provided by identity-based spaces and the erasure of community history are impeding the development of our young leaders. Additionally, the criminalization of being a Black or Brown person in the United States persists and is exacerbated by the constant polarization of our populace. 

 

Our colleagues are tackling these challenges all while negotiating the balance between their ethical duties as advisors and institutional demands cowering to executive orders out of Washington, D.C. and, in some cases, state legislation continuing to impact the collegiate experience.

Our CBFO volunteers and staff are managing their own discomfort and stress while being voices for their undergraduate brothers, sisters, and members who are stuck between finding their sense of belonging and being set aside.

 

It is because of this national pandemic, CGLC has made the bold decision to move year 12 to a virtual format. The format will not be designed like past virtual engagements–we’ve learned too much since 2020. In addition to the theme for this year, Unleashing Our Collective Superpower, we will refer to year 12 as CGLC on Your Yard! 

Some may perceive this as a way of bending to the challenges of the time, but we view this as an opportunity to:

• support offices whose budgets have been reduced and would not be able to travel this year or whose request for funds for CGLC would no longer be approved; 

• reach more individuals at institutions far beyond the Northeast region, expanding safe and supportive learning environments;

• foster larger and more impactful community conversations;

• and, most importantly, ensure the students, volunteers, fraternity/sorority staff, and campus-based professionals we vowed to support are safe.

 

So, what’s next?

 

For those who have already purchased your Early Bird Packages, I will be making personal outreach to you and offering you either a full refund or a refund for the difference between the in-person and the CGLC on Your Yard fees.

 

For those who have submitted a proposal to present, I will be making personal outreach to you to gauge your comfort and interest in presenting virtually. 

 

For those interested in participating in CGLC on Your Yard: Unleashing Our Collective Superpower, more information is forthcoming about updated ticket packages and access.

In times of uncertainty, we are choosing to be conscious and adaptable to meet the needs of our community. We hope you will join us on your yard in October. 

 

Fraternally, 

Dr. Stephanie M. Wright; CGLC Founder