Wow! Let’s start there. If you’ve never attended before, start making plans to be there next year. The energy in the room and the knowledge that was shared will absolutely leave you inspired. These weren’t spaces created for one specific group of people — they were spaces for everyone. As the saying goes, “Take what you need and leave the rest.”One panel, in particular, made me feel like I was sitting in church: the panel of HBCU presidents. I left that room feeling full. In that moment, I found myself wishing I had attended an HBCU. Watching them show genuine love and respect for one another was powerful, and hearing them speak so passionately about their commitment to their communities and to their students — past, present, and future — was truly inspiring.I also had the opportunity to be in the room with Issa Rae — The Awkward Black Girl herself — and Wallo267 from Million Dollaz Worth of Game. These are people whose journeys I’ve followed for years, so to sit in those rooms and hear them speak in person was surreal and motivating. Moments like that remind you that success is possible, and they leave you inspired to keep pushing toward your own goals.