2026 Trailblazers of Color Leadership Conference

The 2026 Trailblazers of Color Leadership Conference (TOCLC) theme is When Wisdom Speaks, celebrating a twelve-year commitment to empowering gender-diverse individuals of color across the Five Colleges, Western Massachusetts, and beyond. The TOCLC provides a space to celebrate the lives and accomplishments of gender-diverse individuals of color through opening dialogues and raising consciousness on issues relating to race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, class, etc.

The lead student coordinators of the conference is the Students of Color Students of Color Committee (SOCC), who prides itself on creating spaces where students can continue to question, challenge, and cultivate their minds to advance personal growth, commitment, and social advocacy for historically underrepresented communities. In addition, the SGA SOCC strives to encourage open dialogues and raise consciousness about issues and intersections prevalent in modern-day society regarding race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, and many more identities. The SGA Students of Color Committee aims to meet these goals by continuing to open the event to all individuals. Honoring Mount Holyoke’s commitment to gender diversity, the primary audience is self-identifying gender minorities and women of color in 9th grade and up from the Five­ Colleges, Western Massachusetts, and beyond.

The conference is coordinated in collaboration with the Division of Student Life, the Office of Community and Belonging and the Weissman Center for Leadership and co-sponsored by the Five College Consortium, UMASS Women of Color Leadership Network, and various Mount Holyoke departments and student organizations.

Please reach out to [email protected] for any further questions regarding the conference.

"When Wisdom Speaks" is a powerful mandate to honor the elders, trailblazers and advocates who fought for — and successfully moved us toward — the equitable inclusion of all.

This theme centers radical listening: tuning into the stories, strategies, and sacrifices of our forebears to equip us with wisdom to navigate the complex climate of today.

Their collective path is our roadmap. We don't need to invent solutions; we need to absorb and activate the guidance, knowledge and lived experiences of these activists to empower our present fight.

It is an invitation to listen deeply, act boldly and remember that we walk a path forged by those who began speaking the truths we now press toward.

REGISTRATION FEES

• Free for all MHC and Five College students, faculty, and staff
• $15 for non-Five College attendees
• $8 per person for groups with 10 or more attendees

Keynote speaker is FREE and open to non conference attendees*

Contact [email protected] or [email protected]

The registration fee includes breakfast, lunch, conference swag, entrance to the BIPOC/POC Business Expo and a ticket to the VIP meet-and-greet with the keynote speaker.

Ready to Get Involved?

Business Expo Participants will be charged a $15 registration fee (must register as a non-5 College attendee unless otherwise instructed). We will provide each business with 1 table and 2 chairs, expo participants will have one hour to showcase their businesses that are owned by, support, and/or serve people of color. This is a chance for vendors to show off and sell their products and/or services. This is a chance for vendors to show off and sell their products and/or services.

If you are interested in participating in the POC Business Expo at this year's conference please fill out the form

Business Expo Participants will be charged a $15 registration fee (must register as a non-5 College attendee unless otherwise instructed). We will provide each business with 1 table and 2 chairs, expo participants will have one hour to showcase their businesses that are owned by, support, and/or serve people of color. This is a chance for vendors to show off and sell their products and/or services. This is a chance for vendors to show off and sell their products and/or services.

We are currently accepting workshop proposals for this year’s Trailblazers of Color Leadership Conference. We are seeking POC, women and gender minority workshop presenters, or that work with and/or service these communities.

Most importantly, we invite and encourage submission proposals from all five colleges and the surrounding community related to leadership and empowerment of people of color.

If you are interested in participating in the presenting a workshop at this year's conference please fill this proposal out

Register For A Workshop!

All registered participants are asked to register for one workshop per Concurrent Workshop Session.

To register visit the Official 2026 TOCLC Webpage

Info: Welcome
Land Acknowledgement
Official Welcome From The College
Conference Charge
Announce Of This Year’s Recepient of the Trailblazers Of Color Leadership Conference Award
Metamorphosis Embracing Our Intersecting Identities Panel Discussion

Info: During the BIPOC/ POC Business Expo, conference attendees will have the opportunity to connect with businesses owned by people of color or organizations which serve people of color while also networking with various conference attendees. Purchases can be made from 2:30-3:30pm, 4:00pm-4:30pm and 5:45-6:15pm

Info: For Registered Conference Attendees and Invited Guest Only

Event Venue & Nearby Stays

Mount Holyoke College, 50 College Street, South Hadley, United States

Concerts, fests, parties, meetups - all the happenings, one place.

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