Recent SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) benefits changes mean many families will struggle to meet daily food needs. We understand how stressful this can be, and you are not alone. Starbridge is here to connect you with local and statewide resources to help fill the gap — including food pantries, community meal programs, and additional supports for families.
March 10, 2026 All day
Monroe Community College
R. Thomas Flynn Campus Center | Building 3
March 10
8:15am – Registration Opens
9am-3pm – Program
Where lived experience meets the science of hope.
Unlock what’s possible. Build stronger communities.
Join us for a day dedicated to advancing inclusion, empowerment, and lasting impact. The 2nd Hope and How Conference invites you to come with a lens of learning and building. Together, we will explore real-world strategies and share tools that infuse hope, bridge gaps, and create stronger pathways for individuals, families, and communities.
This year’s conference will feature dynamic speakers, expert panelists, and hands-on opportunities to grow your knowledge and network. Stay tuned for the announcement of our keynote speaker and full agenda.
You won’t want to miss this powerful experience!
Early Bird Special
Registration fee includes breakfast, lunch + refreshments throughout the day.
Register now and save!
Take advantage of our early bird rates available through November 30, 2025:
In-person: $99 | Virtual: $100
In person after 11/30: $125
Don’t miss this opportunity to secure your spot at a reduced rate—spaces are limited!
For any questions, please contact Tmoore@starbridgeinc.org.
For sponsorship opportunities, please contact Tia Moore, Director of Development, Tmoore@starbridgeinc.org.
Coming soon!
Dr. Kush K. Bhardwaj
Educator • Advisor • Advocate for Social Justice
Starbridge is proud to welcome Dr. Kush K. Bhardwaj as our keynote speaker for our 2026 Bridging the Hope and How conference. As an educator, advisor, and advocate for social justice, Dr. Kush K. Bhardwaj—affectionately known as “Dr. B”—has earned a reputation as a trusted and transformational educationalist. Renowned for his ability to build relationships across cultures, Dr. B seeks new and creative ways to dissect and dismantle oppression. Using his signature paradigm of Access • Awareness • Options • Opportunities, he engages audiences to identify systemic problems and develop actionable solutions for racial equity and justice.
A Legacy of Firsts
Dr. B is a man of “firsts,” and the only person in the history of Erie County to achieve all of the following:
Transformational Leadership
Following the tragic massacre of May 14, 2022, Dr. Bhardwaj was appointed as the first-ever Director of Racial Equity and Justice at Open Buffalo, a nonprofit dedicated to advancing racial, economic, and ecological justice. Through his paradigm of generating interest, excitement, and inspiration for education, Dr. B continues to empower individuals, families, and communities nationwide as a sought-after speaker and change agent.
Honored Educator and Mentor
In February 2018, Dr. B was recognized as Erie County Citizen of the Month and honored in a Special Session of the Legislature. His teaching career has spanned numerous institutions—including SUNY Brockport, Niagara University, Houghton College, Medaille University, SUNY Niagara, and the University at Buffalo—where he has revolutionized instruction in African American Studies, American Studies, Anthropology, Sociology, Political Science, Global Gender Studies, and American Pluralism.
Inspiring the Next Generation
In 1993, Dr. Bhardwaj became the founding Social Studies teacher at the KIPP Sankofa Charter School, serving grades 5–8, and later taught Latin, Civics, and African American Studies at Oracle Charter School. His transformational work with Buffalo charter school students has been featured in several documentaries, including the award-winning The Forgotten City (2006) and The Experience (2010).
Youth & Education Panel
How Student Voice Improves Hopeful Outcomes
Professionals and experts from local partnering agencies, school districts, and students themselves will lead this conversation. Together, they will share strategies and lived experiences that highlight the importance of centering youth voice in shaping hopeful outcomes. This session will demonstrate how to:
Healthcare & Human Services Panel
Bridging the Gaps
Healthcare and mental health practitioners, along with leaders in disability and human services, will guide this discussion. Panelists will share practical approaches to navigating supports, building culturally responsive care, and ensuring smoother transitions across systems of care. This session will demonstrate how to:
