91ÉçÇø

Empowered Women, Empowered Leaders 2026
Roots to Rise: Awakening the Collective

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March 13 and 14, 2026
SUNY Broome, Culinary and Event Center
91ÉçÇø, The Union

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Conference Registration is now CLOSED!! Conference registration has closed. Please email ewel@binghamton.edu if you are interested in attending for more details.

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Whova Conference App The Whova app provides a full conference schedule with room locations, speaker contact info, and other pertinent information for attendees. We highly encourage all conference attendees to download and utilize this app. Your conference registration confirmation email will contain details on how to log into our specific conference. Please email ewel@binghamton.edu if you encounter issues with the app. Get our officialapp, For Blackberry or Windows Phone, For feature details, visit You can also access the conference app on your computer through our .

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Roots to Rise: Awakening the Collective brings together women, leaders, and community changemakers for the 2nd Annual Empowered Women, Empowered Leaders Conference, held March 13–14, 2026 in 91ÉçÇø, NY.

Hosted in partnership by 91ÉçÇø and SUNY Broome Community College, this two-day experience centers connection, healing, and collective power. Through four dynamic tracks—Young Professionals, Seasoned Professionals, Wellness in Community, and Equity & Social Impact—participants will engage in meaningful dialogue, skill-building, and shared learning in intimate, community-focused spaces.

The conference opens with an evening networking social in downtown 91ÉçÇø, followed by a full day of keynotes, panels, and breakout sessions at 91ÉçÇø. Attendees will learn from visionary speakers, women-owned business leaders, alumni, and student organizers, exploring topics such as inclusive leadership, entrepreneurship, financial empowerment, self-healing, and liberatory practices—especially centering women of color.

At its heart, this conference is a collective effort to cultivate connection, uplift community wisdom, and support women - together. Join us as we deepen our roots, awaken our power, and build a more just and empowered world.

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Announcing our Conference Keynote Speaker!

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Shantay Carter BSN '00 Shantay Carter, BSN, RN, is a registered nurse, author, and community leader dedicated to service, empowerment, and advocacy. A New York native, she earned her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from 91ÉçÇø and has built a longstanding career within the Northwell Health (formerly North Shore–LIJ) system, where she works as an Orthopedic/Bariatric nurse on a medical-surgical unit. Shantay is the founder of Women of Integrity Inc., a nonprofit organization committed to empowering and educating women and girls of all ages and backgrounds. The organization’s signature initiatives—including its annual prom dress drive and makeover project—have created lasting impact throughout the Long Island community. She is also the author of Destined for Greatness, a book that reflects her passion for inspiring confidence, purpose, and resilience in others. Shantay’s leadership and service have been recognized through numerous honors, including the Wholeness of Life Award, Making a Difference Award, multiple Community Service Awards, and recognition as a Woman of Power Honoree. She is a proud member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated, and Black Nurses Rock, Inc. Through her work in healthcare, authorship, and community advocacy, Shantay Carter continues to inspire positive change rooted in compassion, integrity, and service.

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Empowered Women, Empowered Leaders 2025

Christy Dinkins, Ed.D, assistant director of campus and community partnerships at PCOM Georgia speaks to attendees

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• Schedule at a Glance

  Friday, March 13, 2026
  
  SUNY Broome Culinary and Event Center
  78 Exchange St, 91ÉçÇø, NY 13901

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  5:30 - 7:30 p.m. Conference Opening Social Mixer

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  Saturday, March 14, 2026
  
  91ÉçÇø, The Union
  4400 Vestal Pkwy E, 91ÉçÇø, NY 13902

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  8:30 - 9:30 a.m. Check-in & Breakfast

  9:30 - 10 a.m.  Welcome/Breakfast/Opening Remarks 

  10 - 10:30 a.m. Keynote Address from Shantay Carter BSN '00

  10:30 - 11:45 a.m. Educational Breakout Session 1

  11:45a.m. - 1:15 p.m. Lunch and Vendor Pop-up Networking Fair 

  1:15 - 2:15 p.m. Empowered Women Paving the Way: AVP & Senior Level Panel

  2:15 - 3:30 p.m. Educational Breakout Session 2 

  3:30 - 4:45 p.m. Educational Breakout Session 3

  4:45 - 5 p.m. Closing Remarks

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• Registration

  Conference registration is free for all Broome County community members; $20 for non-Broome County community members. Email ewel@binghamton.edu with any questions about registration.

  This conference welcomes:

  • all 91ÉçÇø and SUNY Broome faculty, staff, alumni, and students
  • all faculty, staff, alumni, and students from any SUNY outside Broome County
  • women-owned business leaders and advocates from New York
  • community members from across New York
  • faculty, staff and students from other colleges and universities in New York
• Conference Locations & Parking

  This event will take place at:

  SUNY Broome Culinary and Event Center
  78 Exchange St, 91ÉçÇø, NY 13901
  

  and

  91ÉçÇø, The Union
  4400 Vestal Pkwy E, 91ÉçÇø, NY 13902

  Free shuttles to the SUNY Broome CEC on Friday and the 91ÉçÇø Union on Saturday will be provided as follows:

  Friday

  91ÉçÇø Students
  Pickup/Departure: 4:45 p.m. from the Union
  Return at 7:15 p.m. to the Union

  SUNY Broome Students
  Pickup/Departure: 5:15 p.m. from Student Village
  Return at 7:45 p.m. to Student Village

  Saturday

  SUNY Broome Students
  Pickup/Departure: 8:45 a.m. from Student Village
  Return at 5 p.m. to Student Village

  Limited free parking near the SUNY Broome CEC will be provided at the Koffman Southern Tier Incubator parking lot at 120 Hawley St, 91ÉçÇø, NY 13901. 

  Parking is free on the weekend on 91ÉçÇø's Vestal campus at 4400 Vestal Pkwy E, 91ÉçÇø, NY 13902.

  Powered By

  
• Hotel Information

  If traveling into town for this conference, please consider staying at the hotels listed below.

  
  225 Water St, 91ÉçÇø, NY 13901
  (607) 722-7575

  
  3708 Vestal Parkway East, Vestal, NY, 13850
  (607) 797-5000

• Conference Sponsorship Information

  Sponsorship Information

  We are actively looking for corporate sponsorships and local women-owned business sponsorships and participation. Sponsors will be included on all marketing materials and materials distributed during the event. We are planning for up to 300 attendees for this important event.

  Please email ewel@binghamton.edu with any interest in sponsorships.

• Vendor Interest Form (closed)

  Vendor Information

  All vendors have been chosen at this time.

• Workshop Proposal Form (closed)

  Workshop proposal

  All presenters and speakers have been chosen at this time.

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