The Wichita (KS) chapter of the Links, Inc. held its 6th Annual African-American High School Leadership Conference on Feb. 3 at Butler County Community College, Andover.

Each year the Links offer the leadership conference as a way to advance the participants awareness of: the importance of taking advantage of opportunities; the impact their decisions have on their education, or career and; the global impact of things going on beyond the community in which we live.

Over 100 students and parents attended the day long interactive conference. This year‘s theme was “Refining Your Inner Selfie; Developing Global Change Makers.”

Student workshops focused on envisioning their future and one of the featured panelists was Ella Baccus, an art therapist and local artist who facilitated a vision board session. Parent workshops were facilitated by Rhonda Hicks, an expert on increasing student achievement strategies and teen building relationships.

Other presentations included a social change panel conversation that engaged students’ strategies on being change makers in our community. Students were also inspired by young adult entrepreneurs who have set themselves apart and there was also a social media workshop.

The conference was sponsored by Spirit Aerosystems, Cox Business and Sigma Pi Phi Fraternity. The keynote speaker was District 1 City Councilman Brandon Johnson.