2026 Northern California Regional Symposium
The Umoja Community Education Foundation annually hosts the Regional Symposium, a transformative event held in both the Northern and Southern regions of California during the spring semester. Specifically designed to serve our 83 affiliate programs, the symposium serves as a dynamic platform for collaborative learning and growth.
Friday, April 24, 2026
7:30 AM – 3:30 PM
Sacramento State University Arboretum • Sacramento, CA
Pre‑Symposia Gathering
“What would it take for you to see yourself here?”
Hosted in partnership with the CSU Sacramento Black Honors College, this Pre‑Symposia experience is designed to ground Umoja students in themes of transfer, identity, and leadership before the NorCal Regional Symposium. The evening will focus on relationship building, historical framing, and reflection to help students begin envisioning themselves in university spaces.
Thursday, April 23, 2026
5:00 PM – 8:00 PM
Sacramento State University • Sacramento, CA
Participant Cap: 100 Students • Light Refreshments Provided
Register for Pre‑Symposia on Eventbrite
Pre‑Symposia Agenda
| Time | Activity | Purpose |
| 5:00 – 6:00 PM | Registration & Networking Mixer | Arrival, light refreshments, and relationship building among campuses |
| 6:00 – 7:00 PM | Umoja Lead Presentation | Framing conversation centered on The Talented Tenth, transfer pathways, identity, leadership, and the responsibility of emerging scholars |
| 7:00 – 8:00 PM | Keynote Address, Q&A, and Small Group Reflection | Keynote message followed by guided table conversations centered on student voice, reflection, and share out |
Intentional Outcomes
- Ground students in a historical and cultural framework of leadership
- Encourage reflection around transfer, identity, and purpose
- Build connections across Umoja campuses
- Prepare students for the deeper engagement of the NorCal Regional Symposium
Symposium Agenda
| Time | Activity |
| Morning Block: Grounding and Connection | |
| 7:30 AM – 9:00 AM | Registration and Breakfast |
| 9:00 AM – 9:30 AM | Welcome and Opening Ritual |
| 9:30 AM – 10:15 AM | Opening Plenary / Keynote |
| Midday Block: Student Leadership and Networking | |
| 10:15 AM – 11:15 AM | Interactive Networking Session |
| 11:15 AM – 12:15 PM | Indaba Block 1: Identifying Barriers |
| 12:15 PM – 1:15 PM | Lunch and Student/Alumni Spotlight |
| Afternoon Block: Solution-Building and University Integration | |
| 1:15 PM – 2:15 PM | Indaba Block 2: Creating Solutions |
| 2:15 PM – 3:00 PM | University Engagement and Transfer Readiness |
| 3:00 PM – 3:25 PM | Closing Plenary: Agency and Next Steps |
| 3:25 PM – 3:30 PM | Community Circle and Evaluations |
Meals Provided: Breakfast and Lunch
Symposium Objectives
- Cross-Regional Support and Alliance — Build peer-to-peer networks across campuses
- Connectedness to the African Diaspora — Engage with cultural histories, identities, and traditions
- University Experience and Transfer Readiness — Map academic and career trajectories with clear milestones
Questions? Email info@umojacommunity.org.
Umoja Community Education Foundation