Annual ABC Conference Empowers SJSU’s Black Students

SJSU students attended the 2025 Afrikan Black Coalition (ABC) Conference.

From January 17-20, the annual Afrikan Black Coalition (ABC) Conference was hosted by California Polytechnic University, San Luis Obispo (Cal Poly SLO). This year, SJSU sent 14 students to attend the conference.

Since its inception in 2003, the conference has brought together thousands of students from Black and Afrikan Student Unions across the state of California, in a spirit of community, education and collaboration. Students have an opportunity to explore social and political issues while hearing from keynote speakers, attending workshops and engaging in various social activities. 

Loghann Bellamy, ’26 Sociology, a political director for SJSU’s Black Student Union (BSU), saw the results of the conference firsthand. She noticed that the students who attended the conference last year came back incredibly empowered.

“Just seeing how on fire people were about their careers and professional development when they got back really inspired me,” says Bellamy. 

Needless to say, Bellamy knew that this was something she wanted to be a part of. So she made sure to attend the ABC Conference this year. 

“It was inspiring to see so many Black students looking to develop professionally and learn more. Everyone seemed excited to be there,” says Bellamy, who focuses on political education, organizing and activism in her BSU political director role. 

 Bellamy feels that the conference helped to reshape her future goals for career and education. 

Her favorite workshop was called Learning Grad School, which inspired her to explore and research more about what kinds of PhD programs she might want to pursue in the future. She also loved the self defense class, which taught students how to be more fluid with their bodies. 

Dominique Thomas, ’27 Humanities, serves as the BSU’s internal vice president, overseeing the board and supporting them in accomplishing their tasks. She was thrilled to attend the ABC Conference for the second time. 

“Being in leadership, I notice there’s not as much community as we think, and so it’s important to go to conferences like these. We need to make people feel empowered because I noticed a lot of students don’t feel empowered. There are a lot of things that can discourage them from feeling empowered as a Black individual,” says Thomas. 

Thomas enjoyed the experience of the gender roundtables, as well as the LinkedIn workshop, which helped her understand what kinds of professional opportunities and resources are available to her. 

 Along with serving on the BSU board, Thomas also works as a peer success ambassador for SJSU’s Black Leadership Opportunity Center (BLOC), which provides cultural programming and professional development opportunities. 

 As a student organization, the BSU, which currently has about 70 members, often collaborates with the BLOC, hosting various events (like a recent open mic night) in its space.  

MyShaundriss Watkins, ’17 Child and Adolescent Development, serves as the program coordinator for the BLOC and the advisor of the BSU. She accompanied students to the conference for the second time. 

Watkins feels that the ABC Conference is important for students to attend, as the knowledge and empowerment it brings can support their personal and professional development. It can also motivate students to continue fueling the BSU with their energy and passion. 

“BSU is the one organization that is also available for students at the high school level. So when students come to SJSU, they always ask about BSU; because that’s what they’re familiar with. So I think it’s important to make sure there’s a succession plan and that this organization doesn’t just survive but also thrives,” says Watkins.  

Last year, 29 SJSU students attended the conference. This year, due to lack of funding, they were only able to take half as many students. Although students were disappointed that they couldn’t all attend, they are hopeful that interested students will have the opportunity to go next year. 

“I feel like the conference encompasses many of the things that students want and also need,” says Watkins. “When I think of certain events, typically it’s only one facet. But the ABC Conference is social, political, academic, community-based…That is what a student needs in order to, number one, show up as a student; and number two, show up as a student leader. I think everyone should have the opportunity to experience it.”