It’s almost here!

The 2024 BADST Level-up Retreat scheduled to occur in Atlanta, GA, the weekend of February 22 was inspired by a similar event hosted by the Beta Nu Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Chapter, which

executed its inaugural Beta Nu BLOC retreat weekend in April 2023. Similar to the Beta Nu BLOC,

the BADST Level Up Retreat is a professional networking event that will allow Beta Alpha initiated

Sorors to connect, support, and drive deeper relationships that extend beyond classic interactions that occur in an on-campus environment. Homecoming is a great time to socialize and engage. However, this retreat will help foster meaningful professional connections that will allow us to leverage the distinctness of being a select member of the BADST. Being BADST means that you and your family should be positioned to advance in all dimensions of life by leveraging our collective network. This only happens if we know how to support and help each other in our professional and personal endeavors.

Sorors Timicka Anderson (Spr. ‘93, #34) , Erica McGeachy Crenshaw (Spr. ‘98, #8), Courtney Hughes (Fall ‘96, #32), and Leigh Hughes (Fall ’96, #27)

No, just the opposite. Soror Crenshaw and her husband, Lorin Crenshaw, have provided the seed capital for the retreat. All committee organizers and other Sorors (Ania Wilson, Spr. ‘19, #24 and

Lauren Grant, Spr. ’05, #47) are dedicating a considerable amount of time to ensure a successful event. All proceeds are going directly to the production of the retreat.

Unlike Nationals and Regionals, we do not have long-standing corporate sponsors relationships.

This is the first time that BADST Forever has hosted a professional convention. However, we will

be soliciting donations from a targeted list of corporations with the intent to offset some of the

cost. If you have recommendations for sponsors or would like your company to be considered as

a sponsor, please reach out to the organizers via email at info@badstlevelupfoundation.org.

The initial cost of the fee will remain the same. While we are excited about the possibility of

sponsorship, it is not guaranteed. We also have to take into account unexpected costs. We would

love to be able to lower costs for all attendees and will work diligently to do so, but at this point,

there are no guarantees or concessions. As of now, we do not anticipate any excess cash; in the

event there is excess cash, the organizers will determine the best use for said cash (i.e., a

donation to the chapter, speakers/panelist fee, applied towards future events, etc.) We will likely

poll registrants to term the best use of the cash.

No. Sorors who are participating in the retreat, whether as organizers or speakers, are doing so

out of service to the organization, this event, and our sisterhood.

We would like Sorors to stay at the hotel and participate in the main stage sessions and breakout

sessions throughout the day in order for Sorors to get the full benefit and return on the retreat.

The organizers wanted to make it convenient for Sorors to establish connections without the

distraction of juggling home life. Instead of spending time fighting Atlanta traffic, bond over

drinks with a newly acquainted Soror or take advantage of the fitness center and pool. To

decrease the hotel room rate of $199 per night, consider sharing a room with a line sister or ISM.

There is a committed block of rooms at the recently renovated Hilton Atlanta Airport for your

convenience.

No, childcare will not be provided during this professional retreat.

It is too soon to determine if this retreat will be repeated. We are extremely excited about the potential of this event and certainly look forward to connecting with everyone in Atlanta. We are hopeful that the demand for this and future retreats will be high.

This retreat is for us and by us. There are a host of opportunities and ways to participate, such

as:

∆ Joining one of the following committees: Programming, Ways and Means, Marketing and

Publicity, and Team Atlanta. Please email badstforeverfamu@gmail.com to express your

interest.

∆ Corporate and small business sponsorships. Please email badstforeverfamu@gmail.com for

the sponsorship letter. Please provide the name of the company and contact person in your

email.

∆ Sponsor an undergrad Soror. Please select this option when you register.

It is too soon to determine if this retreat will be repeated. We are extremely excited about the potential of this event and certainly look forward to connecting with everyone in Atlanta. We are hopeful that the demand for this and future retreats will be high.