TBA
From February 27 – March 1, 2026, TRIO takes over Lansing, Michigan in the loudest, proudest way yet. More than 400 TRIO students from across the Midwest will come together for a powerful weekend of leadership, connection, and fun you do not want your students to miss. We’ll see you in Lansing— LOUDER. PROUDER. TRIO STRONG.
What to Expect
Dynamic, student-centered leadership workshops. Special guests include Social Media Influencer Randi Rossario, Phil Lewis from the Huffington Post and more!!
High-energy College & Career Fair with live chess demos, headshots and tons of giveaways.
Networking receptions and mixers
Fun-filled student engagement activities
NEW: Student Pre-Conference featuring a Michigan State Capitol Tour and sessions amplifying student voice, advocacy, and leadership
Phil Lewis is a journalist from Detroit, Michigan. He is a deputy editor at HuffPost and president of the Washington Association of Black Journalists, the largest chapter of the National Association of Black Journalists. In his role at HuffPost, he is responsible for covering breaking & trending news stories nationwide. However, Phil goes above and beyond in his role, having covered the White House, Congress, and landed his own exclusive scoops as well. With a digital presence that reaches millions each month, he is one of the most prominent Black journalists spreading awareness on issues pertaining to the Black community, whether it is about funding for Historically Black Colleges and Universities or speaking with NBA legends about forgotten Black Civil War heroes. Phil also won a 2021 National Headliner Award for his reporting on Black voters in South Carolina.
Despite his busy schedule, Phil still finds time to mentor. He currently volunteers through the 2023 Urban Journalism Workshop, which teaches high school students the fundamentals of journalism. He is regularly invited to speak at high schools and universities about his career.
Before his role at HuffPost, he was a staff writer and programming editor at Mic, a millennial-focused digital news outlet in New York City. His journalism career began in 2015, as an editorial fellow for The Huffington Post. He is the co-author of Schoolhouse Wreck: The Betsy DeVos Story, an inside look into the life of the former U.S. Secretary of Education. He was also a 2017 recipient of the prestigious Paul Miller Washington Reporting Fellowship with the National Press Club. He is also the author of the award-winning newsletter, What I'm Reading. He was recently named to the 2025 EBONY Magazine Power 100 list.