Bronx Community College (BCC) welcomed young men from area high schools, colleges, and its own student body on February 27 for the 2026 Men’s Leadership Conference, “The Journey of a Man: Transformation from Roots to Legacy,” a full-day program in Nichols Hall. 

Part of BCC’s Black History Month programming, the conference convened students, faculty, staff, and community partners for workshops on leadership, identity, mental health, and fatherhood. The event was organized by Interim Assistant Vice President for Student Success Jessenia Paoli, Male Empowerment Network Program Manager Clifford Marshall, Director of Collaborative Education Eugene Adams, and campus partners committed to creating affirming spaces for young men. 

In her welcome, Paoli urged participants to reflect on the day’s themes. “Each of us comes from roots – family, culture, struggle, triumph,” she said. “Those roots are foundations. What you build on them becomes your legacy.” She reminded students that leadership is developed through action and that seeking support is a strategy, not a weakness. 

Speaking on behalf of President Larry Johnson, Chief of Staff Errol Olton energized the audience with a “Bronco Ready!” call-and-response; he underscored that the conference reflects the President’s vision for programming that empowers and actively engages attendees in their journey toward holistic personal and professional development. Olton encouraged students to set a 5 p.m. reminder labeled “I’m Committed” to reflect on concrete steps toward their goals. “Legacy is not built when everyone believes in you,” he said. “It’s built when you decide to believe in yourself first.” 

Keynote speaker Dr. Steven Chambers, Executive Director of the New York City Young Men’s Initiative, spoke about daily decisions and managing mental health. “Leadership requires vision, but not perfection,” he said. “Your life has weight, and your choices matter.” 

Workshops offered practical tools for growth. Nathaniel Smith, Director of NYC Men Teach at Queens College, discussed educational and professional pathways. Kymel Yard, Director of the CUNY Fatherhood Academy at Kingsborough Community College, led a session on fatherhood and identity. Vincent Walker, LCSW, Assistant Professor in BCC’s Social Sciences Department, facilitated a conversation on mental health and wellness. 

The conference concluded with an awards ceremony honoring students and community members for leadership, mentorship, resilience, and impact. Awards were named for trailblazers including Bayard Rustin, Jesse Jackson, John Lewis, Roberto Clemente, and Barack Obama, underscoring the theme of legacy through service and character. 

As BCC closed out Black History Month, the Men’s Leadership Conference reaffirmed the College’s commitment to cultivating confident, community-rooted leaders prepared to shape their futures with intention. The event was made possible through collaboration among BCC’s Office of Student Diversity Initiatives, Office of Student Life, the Male Empowerment Network (MEN), and CUNY ASAP.