WestStar Hosts First Evelyn C. Robertson Jr. Conference for Excellence
MARTIN, Tenn. – The WestStar Leadership Program hosted its first Evelyn C. Robertson Jr. Conference for Excellence on Tuesday, April 29, 2025, at the Edward J. and Carolyn P. Boling University Center on the campus of the University of Tennessee at Martin.
Guest speakers at the conference included UT Martin Chancellor Yancy Freeman; Matt Marshall, president and chief executive officer of United Way West Tennessee; Jackson Mayor Scott Conger; and Dr. Youlanda Jones, president of the Tennessee College of Applied Technology Northwest.
The theme of the conference was “The Power of Access and Opportunities,” and it focused on leadership development and community empowerment.
Jahnae Johnson, program manager of the WestStar Leadership Program, said the conference was well attended, with about 140 people participating.
“Our goal was to encourage attendees to strengthen their leadership abilities and build meaningful connections,” she said. “We wanted them to discover the incredible resources and people available right within their own communities.”
This was the 26th conference of this type for the WestStar Leadership Program. It was formerly called the African American Leadership Conference, but the name was changed this year to the Evelyn C. Robertson Jr. Conference of Excellence to honor Robertson, who was instrumental in organizing the first conference in 1999.
Robertson was a former executive director of the Southwest Tennessee Development District in Jackson and was elected to serve on the board of directors of the National Association of Development Organizations. He also served as the Tennessee Commissioner of what is now the Department of Intellectual and Developmental Disability. Robertson passed away on August 19, 2024.
“I think renaming the conference made it more personal and meaningful,” said Ms. Johnson. “It really brought people together and reminded us of the profound impact Mr. Robertson had on so many lives.”
Members of Robertson’s family attended the Conference of Excellence, including his wife, Hugholene Robertson of Whiteville, son Jeffrey Robertson of Memphis, daughter Shelia Robertson Littleton of Mount Juliet and granddaughter Jasmine Robertson of Memphis.
The 2026 Evelyn C. Robertson Jr. Conference of Excellence is scheduled for Wednesday, April 8, 2026, with plans for the conference to be held in Jackson.
The WestStar Leadership Program enables its participants to learn leadership skills and develop strategies for assisting communities. Its WestTeach program bolsters the leadership skills in teachers and school administrators across West Tennessee.
More information about the WestStar Leadership Program – including WestTeach and other programs and activities – can be found at www.utm.edu/weststar.
For more information about UT Martin, visit www.utm.edu or call 1(800) 829-UTM1 (-8861).
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