Duke Sanford Black Policy Conference
Conference Overview
The Sanford Black Policy Student Association Presents the Black Policy Conference 2026
Redlining to Greenlining: Reimagining Black Mobility, Medicine, and Environmental Justice
Please email the planning committee at bpsa@duke.edu with any questions regarding the conference.
Time and Date: Thursday February 19 - Saturday February 21 2026.
Location: Duke Sanford School of Public Policy, 201 Science Dr, Durham, NC 27708
Cost: FREE
Open to all!
This conference is an opportunity for diverse minds to come together to share their insights on today's most pertinent policy issues. Our intention for creating Duke Sanford's Third Annual Black Policy Conference is to create a space for Sanford students, including students of color, to see policy in living color. For us to be able to envision ourselves in policy areas that do not commonly represent us and to know if one person can make it, we all can make it. Our hope for our time together is to foster community across policy disciplines, provide a space for robust dialogue and discourse, and provide an opportunity to network with future colleagues and mentors. Black Policy Conference is open to all who are interested in learning about key policy issues that may impact communities.
Black Policy Conference Executive Planning Committee 2025 - 2026
Christian Chung (he/him) is a second-year MPP student serving as the President of the Black Policy Student Association for the 2025–2026 academic year. Raised in Waxhaw, North Carolina, and shaped by his Chinese and Black heritage, he holds a Bachelor of Science in Biology and a Bachelor of Arts in Public Policy from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
Christian is passionate about the environment, public health, STEM education, and youth advocacy—interests that have guided his work across state agencies, research labs, and grassroots organizations. Throughout his undergraduate career, he took on roles in environmental engineering, science policy, and public health, with a focus on the intersection of remediation, regulation, and community resilience. At the UNC Gillings School of Global Public Health and the North Carolina Collaboratory, he explored water purification technologies and “forever chemical” policies, pairing lab-based research with state-level policy analysis. He now brings those insights to the Durham Success Summit, where he helps shape youth-centered strategies around workforce equity and data accessibility. Christian is driven by the belief that meaningful change—whether molecular, micro, or macro—happens only when policy meets people where they are. Outside of Sanford, you’ll find him lifting weights, experimenting with new recipes, or entertaining himself with other active hobbies.
Aja Bullock (she/they) is a second-year Master of Public Policy student and serves as the Vice President for BPSA during the 2025–2026 academic year. They earned their undergraduate degree in Communication Studies from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
Born and raised in Fayetteville, North Carolina Aja has a deep commitment to the state of North Carolina. Aja has spent four years working at various statewide nonprofits committed to an equitable democracy, health equity, and generally improving the lives of everyday North Carolinians. These experiences influenced Aja to attend Sanford to further policy solutions that prioritize the lived experiences of the communities most impacted by policy changes. In their free time they enjoy spending time outside, going to the library, playing video games, and finding little moments of joy in everyday experiences.
Camille Harley (she/her) is a second-year Master of Public Policy student and serves as the Treasurer for BPSA during the 2025–2026 academic year. She is also the Treasurer for Policy in Living Color.
Camille was born and raised in North Carolina. After earning her undergraduate degree in Political Science from Brown University, she worked in municipal finance and renewable energy project finance. These experiences deepened her passion for fiscal policy and clean energy. During her time at Sanford, Camille is expanding her knowledge of these subjects. In her free time, Camille likes to run, read fiction, and spend time with friends.
Alicia Davenport (she/her) is a second-year Master of Public Policy student and serves as the Alumni and Community Outreach Coordinator for BPSA during the 2025–2026 academic year. She earned her undergraduate degree in English and a Master’s in Teaching from the University of South Carolina.
Originally from Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, Alicia is new to Durham. She spent five years teaching high school English in the community where she grew up, an experience that sparked her interest in education policy. Her work in the classroom shaped her desire to address systemic barriers and strengthen the many connections across the P–20 education pipeline. Outside of school, Alicia enjoys attending concerts, reading, and trying new restaurants and sweet treats.
Pauline Wakudumo (she/her) is a second year MPP student and is serving as the Communications Chair for BPSA for the 2025-2026 academic year. She is also the MPP Student Council President for the 2025-2026 academic year.
She is Namibian-American, having moved to the United States when she was about 8 and grew up in Maryland and North Carolina. Pauline is passionate about reproductive freedom and is excited to continue her education in health policy at Sanford. She worked at Reproductive Freedom for All (formerly NARAL) for over two years doing state policy on reproductive freedom. Prior to that, Pauline worked at AbortionFinder.org, researching and verifying abortion clinics. Pauline received her undergraduate degree in Economics from Brown University. In her free time, Pauline enjoys reading, exploring new restaurants in Durham, thrift shopping, and walks to get iced coffee, no matter the season.
Nicole Paul (she/her) is a first-year MPP student and is serving as one of the First-Year Representatives for BPSA during the 2025-2026 academic year. She earned her undergraduate degree in Criminal Justice from Columbus State University in Columbus, Georgia.
Originally from Douglasville, Georgia, Nicole is new to Durham. She is deeply passionate about social policy issues, particularly advocacy for low-income families and marginalized communities, and is eager to explore how her work at Sanford can contribute to strengthening these communities. Her aspiration to pursue policy school grew out of her extensive volunteer experience with multiple nonprofit organizations in the Columbus, Georgia, and Metro Atlanta areas, where she served individuals in low-income communities. Nicole hopes to use her policy training to design and implement initiatives that support others in similar circumstances.
Nicole is also the founder of The Nicole L. Paul Leadership Foundation, Inc., through which she provides financial assistance to high school seniors from her hometown alma mater. Outside of her work at Sanford, she enjoys caring for her plants, creating new memories, and continuing to learn as she navigates this new chapter of life as a graduate student.
Biani Ebie (she/her) is a first-year MPP student, serving as the first-year representative for BPSA.
Biani Ebie, originally from Lagos, Nigeria, is a Master of Public Policy student at Duke’s Sanford School of Public Policy, concentrating in technology policy and international development policy. She earned her B.A. in International Relations from Tufts University with minors in Cultural Anthropology and Arabic. She is now focused on using technology and finance tools to achieve economic development in the developing world. Outside of Sanford, Biani enjoys dancing, trying new foods, and traveling.