I had no idea what to expect when I attended my first EPIP conference in New Orleans last year. My interactions with my local chapter had been limited. I didn’t know anyone else who would be attending. And I’d never been to Louisiana before. Even for a bubbly extrovert like me, this conference seemed intimidating. I checked in to the hotel committed to hit the gym, order room service and hide until the morning after I had adequate time to prep my poker face. But instead, I took a leap of faith and attended the opening reception. 

The decision to come to the conference changed everything. 

Christian and Storme can't wait for EPIP's #‎Elevate2016 — hear why and learn more about the workshops and plenaries they have helped curate.

The events of the last several weeks have left me feeling confused, upset, angry, frustrated and most of all heartbroken. I don’t know how to make the change required in our country or world, but I know I need more information, more conversations, and a community to learn from, reflect with, and ultimately take action with to increase equity, inclusion, and open-mindedness. To me, that is what this year’s EPIP Conference, Elevate: Ourselves, Our Work, Our World, offers. ...

There is something magical about being surrounded by hundreds of colleagues who are all working for social justice. I left conference last year feeling uplifted and deeply inspired by my colleagues from across the country.  

Baltimore is an important place for us to be. ... We know there is much we can learn as we listen to local Baltimore leaders and engage in open dialogue on race, place and our role as change makers.

This year’s conference is shaping up to be another not-to-be-missed event with three days full of innovative workshops and plenaries about topics as powerful as diversity, equity and politics. 

I am personally looking forward to growing my network of EPIPers across the country and learning the personal stories that bring them - and you! - to do the important work we are privileged to engage in everyday.

“The conference was amazing…I’m already talking to other staff members at my organization about some of the sessions I attended and figuring out ways to incorporate the learning into our work.”

-- Feedback from last year's conference evaluation