ABOUT JLDC
Alabama is ALL IN! on preparing the state’s future workforce! Through the annual Joint Leadership Development Conference, CTE students and educators will experience a powerful virtual experience that allows greater access than ever before! All CTE and CTSO students and members can attend and engage in Alabama’s largest CTE and CTSO gathering of the year!
This year’s theme, ALL IN!, is a rallying cry for everyone – every student, teacher, administrator, and supporter, to come together with the purpose of preparing Alabama’s future workforce. No matter their upbringing, background, or current condition, there is a place for every student to gain the essential leadership skills needed for future college and career success. We know CTSOs enrich the CTE experience, and JLDC will encourage students to not just be ALL IN! for their future, but also ALL IN! with their CTSO membership and engagement.
It’s time to go ALL IN! for Alabama’s future!
Jessica Cox
Kickoff Keynote
Jessica Cox
Michael JR.
Premier Keynote
Micheal JR.
Brian Nhira
Featured Entertainment & Talent Show Host
Brian Nhira
It was at an event on the rural countryside of Oklahoma where Brian Nhira made his surprising musical debut. As he recalls, he was just four years old on that beautiful summer day when his parents lovingly pushed him onto a stage and told him to sing for a small group of spectators that had gathered. Though initially shy with a bit of stage fright, Nhira faced his fears and he has never looked back.
As a studious student, in numerous music classes and as a member of his high school show choir, Nhira dedicated a significant portion of his teenage years to sharpening his songwriting and vocal skills. In college at Oral Roberts University, where he was an integral member of the University Singers group, he began to release original music that was met with acclaim.
During Nhira’s college experience his music and online videos started gaining recognition, which led to an invitation to audition on the Emmy Award winning NBC show ‘The Voice.’ For his Blind Audition Nhira sang the global smash hit song “Happy,” originally written and performed by Pharrell Williams, and subsequently chose Williams to be his coach on the show. Nhira successfully navigated his way to the live rounds of the nationally televised talent competition by captivating audiences, and the coaches alike, with electric performances of top 40 hits including “Sugar” by Maroon 5,” Grenade” by Bruno Mars and “Alive” by Sia. Nhira’s recent music has charted on the Global Top 100 Pop Songs and his creatively produced videos have racked up over 100 million views, with hit songs “Would You Still Love Me?” and “Til Death Do Us Part,” to name a few. As Nhira continues to write, record and release new music he maintains a busy schedule performing in countless venues around the world and at events including concerts and festivals, among others. Nhira was recently awarded the ‘Zimbabwe Achievers Award for Excellence in Music’, he was nominated as one of the ‘Best Performing Acts’ by the AFRIMA awards, as well as nominations for the ‘Best International Artist’ and ‘Best Rnb/Soul Artist’ by the Zimbabwe Music Awards; and he was also recently named one of the ‘Tulsans of the Year’ by the Tulsa World news organization. Nhira’s goal is to be a catalyst of hope through the medium of music, with one of his methods being music outreaches. Over the years he has been able to inspire and motivate thousands of students across the country and around the world with the simple message that it’s possible for them to achieve their dreams. His signature outreach, called the Backpack Project, has donated thousands of backpacks to students in underserved communities.