LEMOORE, CA — Brandon Leake, the acclaimed spoken word poet and winner of Season 15 of America's Got Talent, will deliver the keynote address at the 2024 California Community College Basic Needs Summit, hosted at Lemoore College on Wednesday, December 6, 2024.
Celebrated for his emotionally powerful and thought-provoking performances, Leake will speak at 8:40 a.m. in the Golden Eagle Arena. He will inspire attendees as they explore solutions to meet the essential needs of California community college students.
This year marks the first time the summit will be held in the Central Valley, a region with the highest levels of food insecurity among community college students in the state. Organized by the Real College California Coalition and the CEO Affordability, Food & Housing Access Taskforce, the event will focus on the theme, "From Success to Sustainability: Building a Pathway to Completion."
"Hosting this summit in the Central Valley highlights the urgent challenges our students face and the innovative approaches needed to address them," said James Preston, President of Lemoore College. "We are proud to welcome Brandon Leake, whose artistry and personal story resonate deeply with themes of resilience and hope, as he inspires us to take meaningful action for student success."
Event Schedule:
- 7:30 a.m.: Continental Breakfast
- 8:40 a.m.: Keynote Address by Brandon Leake
- Morning and Afternoon Sessions: Workshops and panels focused on sustainable solutions for food insecurity, housing, mental health, and other critical issues.
The summit offers networking opportunities for students, advocates, and practitioners to share ideas and develop collaborative strategies. With the focus shifting from building new basic needs programs to ensuring long-term sustainability, this event promises to deliver actionable insights for community colleges statewide.
Event Details:
- Date: Friday, December 6, 2024
- Time: Doors open at 7:30 a.m.; Keynote at 8:40 a.m.
- Location: Golden Eagle Arena, Lemoore College
The California Community College Basic Needs Summit has convened leaders for over six years to tackle affordability and access issues, driving impactful practices that address students' diverse needs.