From July 18-21, 43 inclusive leaders from New Hampshire attended the annual Best Buddies Leadership Conference (BBLC) – a four-day event hosted at Indiana University that unites Best Buddies leaders, volunteers, and community advocates from around the globe to lead and empower the future of the disability rights and inclusion movement. Over 2,400 people attended this year, and we had our biggest group yet representing the Granite State! Our group included 19 High Schoolers, 7 Ambassadors, 3 Advisors, 2 Parent Ambassadors, 2 College Students, 3 Advisory Board members, 2 aides, and 5 staff members – all had an action-packed weekend! We returned to New Hampshire energized and motivated to keep building a world where everyone belongs!

The weekend began with Opening Ceremonies on Friday night, where the “Wickedly Inclusive” conference theme came to life. Performers Echo Piccone and Riki Stevens took on the roles of Glinda and Elphaba onstage, alongside performers and participants of varying abilities, getting us all so excited for the best weekend ever. We also heard from Best Buddies founder Anthony Kennedy Shriver, Miss America Abbie Stockard, beloved performers Marlana VanHoose and Lisa Smith, and Broadway performer David Burnham. The stage was packed with inspiring and high-profile performers! Our New Hampshire group came prepared for the event, with welcome bags stuffed with goodies by our incredibly generous Advisory Board back home!

Our little state was also honored on stage for Outstanding Elementary School Chapter of the Year – awarded to Little Harbour Elementary School! Little Harbour was selected from nominees all over the U.S. and we are incredibly proud of the work they’ve done to champion inclusion in their school!

On Saturday, BBLC began its educational elements with a variety of informative and enlightening speakers and presentations. Guests such as Tanner from Netflix’s Love on the Spectrum shared with the audience the power of a strong community, and the difference each individual can make in positively impacting someone else’s life. Additionally, attendees watched a performance from the world’s first ever Improvisation Troupe cast with individuals with Down syndrome, The Improvaneers!

Later in the afternoon, we divided up by conference group, so each track got to meet other people and share ideas on disability awareness, hosting events, being a strong leader, writing speeches, and more. So many lessons learned in just one day! In the evening, we participated in a Friendship Walk over a short distance on the Indiana University campus, where Assembly Hall welcomed us with games, food and, of course, dancing, at the Yellow Brick Bash to wrap up an exciting day.

For the second full day at BBLC on Sunday, attendees watched a short documentary called The 17 Percent, which showcased the story of a woman with Down Syndrome and owning her own cookie business. Only 17% of people with IDD are employed, so this documentary and hearing from the film director further fueled our commitment to expanding opportunities for people with IDD. As the day went on, we continued to learn from inspiring speakers and discussed with our own group as well as participants from all around the world about what new ideas and friendships we would be bringing back home.

Closing Ceremonies on Sunday night was yet another star-studded event! The audience was thrilled to witness a performance by America’s Got Talent winner, Richard Goodall. We also watched more performances of songs from Wicked, heard speeches from 6 powerful Ambassadors with and without IDD, and capped off a weekend full of inspiration and connection. Afterwards, participants danced the night away and packed their bags to return home Monday.

As we wrapped up at BBLC, we noticed our participants all had such great feedback, and were bringing home some amazing lessons and lifelong memories – especially Jacob Hobart! Jacob attended BBLC for the first time this year and called it the best weekend of his entire life. In the past year especially, we have seen Jacob’s public speaking and Ambassador skills growing strongly, so hearing that he had such an amazing experience in Indiana made our staff feel so proud. We know Jacob has incredible potential and will continue to grow, and we’re so glad he felt the experience was so rewarding!

We would be remiss if we did not also give a shoutout to the University of New Hampshire and Winnacunnet High School chapters, who were selected by New Hampshire staff as standout programs and got to have their photos taken with founder Anthony Kennedy Shriver!

We are so proud of ALL our attendees from New Hampshire, and so thankful for the support from Advisory Board members, foundations, donors, and volunteers who were so generous with their time and energy! It was an all-around incredible weekend, and our BBNH staff are so grateful, immensely proud, and reminded once again that the future is inclusive!