“Cultural Kaleidoscope: Celebrating Community Outreach and Harmony”

 Itinerary for The 2024 Let Us Dream Community Conference
Grambling State University

Wednesday, October 30, 2024 and Thursday, October 31, 2024

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 30, 2024  –  LET US DREAM 2024 CULTURAL NIGHT –

CONRAD HUTCHINSON PERFORMING ARTS CENTER, GSU, 403 MAIN ST, GRAMBLING, LA

5:00 p.m.             Doors Open for LUD Cultural Night

5:45 p.m.             Let Us Dream Band and Spirit Teams begin musical (Isaiah Farrell, LUD Musical Director)

6:00 p.m.             Mistress/Master of Ceremonies: Jakayrannee Phillips, Tiara Freeman

                                & Mr. Terence Robinson

6:05 p.m.             WELCOME  (Terrence Robinson, LUD Cultural Night Coordinator)          

6:10 p.m.             GREETINGS  Father Thomas Lijo, Founder,  Let Us Dream Founder,

                                                        Christ University,  India

                                                        Father Joseph CC, President, Christ University, Bengaluru, India

                                                    Dr. Martin Kline, Wathow University, Germany

6:15 p.m.             Let Us Dream Video  (2023 Conference in India)

6:20 p.m.             Orchesis

6:35 p.m.             The Spoken Word:  Let Us Dream Poem by: Dr. SMMayo  (Oratory by: Morgan Mason)

6:45 p.m.             Cheerleaders

7:05 p.m.             GSU Choir

7:25 p.m.             Art Exhibition

7:45 p.m.             Student Organizational Showcase/ International Student Showcase/

                                Greek Organizational Strolls

8:15 p.m.             GSU Band Showcase (outside Conrad Hutchinson Performing Arts Center).

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 31, 2024  –   LET US DREAM CONFERENCE –

HOBDY ASSEMBLY CENTER, 100 STADIUM DRIVE, GSU, GRAMBLING, LA

7:00 a.m.             Doors Open for the 2024 Let Us Dream Conference

7:30 a.m.             EXHIBIT  SET UP

8:00 a.m.             REGISTRATION

8:30 a.m.             OPENING OF THE 2024 LET US DREAM CONFERENCE

                                Mr. Terry Matthews and Dr. Cheyrl Ensley, Co-Chairs, Let Us Dream Conference 2024

                                Ms. Lisa Elam and Dr. Debra Craighead, Let Us Dream Louisiana Board

8:32 a.m.             WELCOME:  Dr. Connie Walton, Provost and Vice President of Academic Affairs, GSU

8:33 a.m.             A MOMENT OF SILENCE honoring The Late Tori Smith,  LUD 2024 Social Panel Chair and

                             LUD Sponsor – IBM, Monroe, LA

8:35 a.m.             GREETINGS:        The Honorable Alvin Bradley, Mayor, City of Grambling, Louisiana

Dr. Reggie Owens, Ms. Barbara McIntyre & Mr. Jeffrey Sims, Greater

Grambling Chamber of Commerce

LET US DREAM GREETINGS:  Father Thomas Lijo, Founder, Let Us Dream, Vice President,

Christ University, India

8:40 a.m.             CHANGE MAKERS AWARDEE:  VANESSA BROWN

Presented by:  Ms. Yanise Days

8:43 a.m.             PRESIDENTIAL ADDRESS:  President Martin Lemelle, Jr., Grambling State University, USA

                                (Acknowledgement of 124th Founding of Grambling State University)

REMARKS:   Father Joseph CC, Vice Chancellor, President, Christ University, India

8:50 a.m.             LIGHTING OF THE LET US DREAM TORCH                               

                                Introduction of the Presidential Panel                                    

8:55 a.m.             PRESIDENTIAL ADDRESS:  Introduction of the Presidential Panel

                                PRESIDENTIAL PANEL:  “Higher Education and Globalization Today”

                                PRESIDENTIAL PANEL Question and Answers                      

9:30 a.m.             BREAK

10:00 a.m.           123rd  FOUNDERS DAY CONVOCATION  

All Let Us Dream Participants will be special guests at the GSU Founders Day Convocation in the Hobdy Assembly Center on GSU’s campus. 

11:30 a.m.        Balloon Release at the Hobdy Assembly Center (Top Level)

All participants will join the Let Us Dream Team to release balloons commemorating Breast Cancer Awareness Month and Domestic Violence Month as an act of community service.  (A moment of silence will precede the Balloon Release).

11:45 a.m.           LUNCH (11:45 – 12:25 p.m.) 

12:30 p.m. – 1:00 p.m.   STUDENT PANEL/Questions and Answers:

THE LET US DREAM CHARGE: Officer Gary Guice, LUD Camp Director

1:15 p.m.             EDUCATION PANEL/Questions and Answers

2:10 p.m.              CHANGE MAKERS AWARDEE:  MS. SYDNEY FRANKLIN, GSU STUDENT
Presented by:  Dr. Stephanie Bundle

2:20 p.m.             SOCIAL PANEL/ Questions and Answers

3:10 p.m.             CHANGE MAKERS AWARDEE: MR. EDWIN MASON

Presented by: Ms. Brenda Dupree

3:20 p.m.             HEALTH PANEL/Questions and Answers  

4:15 p.m.            ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS &RECOGNITIONS, ANNOUNCEMENTS and CLOSING REMARKS and CLOSING CEREMONIES

4:30 p.m.             EXHIBIT BREAKDOWN

5:00 p.m.             LUD 2025 Conference Team Meeting