THE INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF BLACK ENTOMOLOGISTS (IABE) IS REQUESTING THIS CONFERENCE GRANT TO CONDUCT A SYMPOSIUM AT THE 2023 ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF AMERICA (ESA) MEETING TO BE ORGANIZED ON NOVEMBER 5-8, 2023, IN NATIONAL HARBOR, MD. THE GOAL OF THIS SYMPOSIUM IS TO EQUIP MEMBERS OF IABE, A MINORITY-SERVING ARM OF THE ESA, WITH THE INFORMATION NEEDED TO ADOPT NOVEL PEST MANAGEMENT STRATEGIES THAT WILL EMPOWER MINORITY GROWERS IN U.S. AGRICULTURE. SPECIFIC OBJECTIVES INCLUDE: 1. FACILITATE INTERDISCIPLINARY NETWORKING AND KNOWLEDGE-SHARING WITH UNDERREPRESENTED PROFESSIONALS IN ENTOMOLOGY, CLIMATE SCIENCE, SMART AGRICULTURE INDUSTRY, CROP PROTECTION, EXTENSION AGENTS, MINORITY FARMERS, GRADUATE STUDENTS, AND POLICYMAKERS, 2. SHOWCASE CUTTING-EDGE RESEARCH AND TECHNOLOGY TAILORED TO UNDERSTAND HOW CLIMATE EXTREMALITY INFLUENCES INVASIVE INSECT PESTS AND THREATENS AGRICULTURAL SYSTEMS, HIGHLIGHT SUCCESSES AND CHALLENGES, AND PROVIDE RECOMMENDATIONS FOR FUTURE DEVELOPMENTS TO IMPROVE FOOD SECURITY, AND 3. CREATE OPPORTUNITIES FOR STUDENTS AND EARLY CAREER PROFESSIONALS TO PRESENT THEIR RESEARCH AND NETWORK. A 4-MEMBER COMMITTEE WAS CONSTITUTED TO DRIVE THE PROJECT. THERE WILL BE A 4-HOURS SYMPOSIUM SESSION WHERE NINE SPEAKERS WILL PRESENT VIA ORAL DELIVERY AND FOUR STUDENT POSTER DISPLAYS. THE SPEAKER'S POOL WAS FROM IABE STAKEHOLDERS' RECOMMENDATIONS. GOOGLE SEARCH WAS USED TO IDENTIFY OTHER QUALIFYING CANDIDATES ASSOCIATED WITH RESEARCH IN CLIMATE CHANGE, SMART AGRICULTURE, POLICY, AND MINORITY GROUPS IN ENTOMOLOGY. A POSTER SESSION AND PANEL DISCUSSION PARTS OF THE PROGRAM ARE INCORPORATED TO ENCOURAGE INTERACTIONS AND EXCHANGE OF IDEAS AMONG PRESENTERS AND ATTENDEES AND CREATE NETWORKING OPPORTUNITIES. THIS WORK ALIGNS WITH THE EDUCATION COMPONENT AREA OF THE USDA-NIFA AFRI PROGRAM.