#BMEC2026

#BMEC2026 IS BACK!

November 13-15, 2026
Philadelphia Marriott Downtown
1201 Market Street, Philadelphia, PA

The 9th Annual Black Men in Education Convening (#BMEC2026) is coming back to Philadelphia this fall!

Building on our success hosting the country’s largest and most impactful gathering of Black male educators over the last eight years, we’re proud to announce that registration is now open!

#BMEC2026 will be a transformative event, featuring dynamic speakers, interactive workshops, opportunities for professional growth and–as always–the ability to build friendships and community while fostering mentorship and strengthening networks.

Coming off the heels of the 100th anniversary of Black History Month, this year’s theme is “Rooted in History: Constructing the Next 100 Years of Education”. Every classroom is built upon a century-old legacy of transformative teaching, and #BMEC2026 will be an opportunity to translate a century of lessons into actionable strategies for tomorrow’s classrooms. 

We can’t wait to see you there–where, together, we will continue our work advancing educational equity and strengthening the Black Teacher Pipeline. 

REGISTER NOW

 

BECOME A #BMEC2026 SPEAKER

We are currently accepting breakout speaker session proposals for #BMEC2026! If you’re a dynamic speaker with inspiring stories, research, or art to share, we invite you to submit a proposal by June 26, 2026.

Coming off the heels of the 100th anniversary of Black History Month, this year’s theme is “Rooted in History: Constructing the Next 100 Years of Education”. Every classroom is built upon a century-old legacy of transformative teaching, and #BMEC2026 will be an opportunity to translate a century of lessons into actionable strategies for tomorrow’s classrooms. Additionally this year’s convening strands will be as follows:

  • STEM 
  • Curriculum, Instruction, and Student Support 
  • Leadership and Policy Making 
  • Parent and Community Engagement 
  • Professional Learning & Development 
  • Physical, Mental and Social Emotional Health & Wellness
  • Sports & Entertainment

#BMEC2026 PRESENTER PROPOSAL

CALL FOR PROPOSALS GUIDELINES

 

BECOME A #BMEC2026 SPONSOR

The 2026 Black Men in Education Convening offers a unique opportunity for companies and organizations to highlight their commitment to rebuilding the national Black educator pipeline.

We offer a range of sponsorship packages that can help meet your marketing, branding, and corporate social responsibility objectives. 

For more details on 2026 sponsorship opportunities, please contact Mimi (Woldeyohannes) McKee at mimi.woldeyohannes@cbed.org

 

SPONSORSHIP KIT

BECOME A #BMEC2026 VENDOR

The 2026 Black Men in Education Convening offers a unique opportunity for businesses, brands, and community organizations to connect directly with educators, advocates, leaders, and changemakers from across the country.

Vendor opportunities provide a dynamic space to showcase your products, services, and resources while engaging with an audience committed to advancing Black education and collective impact.

BECOME A VENDOR

 

LOOKING BACK: #BMEC2025

#BMEC2025 “Power to the Pupil: History, Hip Hop, & the Future of Teaching & Learning” featured a compelling lineup of esteemed speakers, engaging panels, and interactive workshops aimed at empowering us as Black educator activists and enhancing student outcomes.

It also featured critical strands such as STEM, Leadership, Wellness, and Community Engagement, drawing hundreds of educators and advocates nationwide.

The Center for Black Educator Development is an Act 48 approved provider and our professional development offerings are eligible for Pennsylvania-certified teachers!

#BMEC2025 SPEAKERS

Dr. Howard Fuller
Co-Founder of the Dr. Howard Fuller
Collegiate Academy
Bomani Jones
CEO of Old Soul Productions
Charise Cheney
Professor, Black Studies at University of Oregon
Dr. Camika Royal
Director & Associate Professor,
Urban Educational Leadership
Dr. Tony Watlington
Superintendent of the School District of Philadelphia
Yasmeen Majid
Black Panther Party Veteran Member
Dr. Na’ilah Nasir
President, Spencer Foundation
Rachel Skerritt
Chief Strategy Officer
Attuned Education Partners
Dr. Greg Carr
Professor of Africana Studies, Howard University
Dr. Charles Payne
Director, Joseph Cornwall Center
for Metropolitan Studies
Dr. William Hayes
CEO of Boys’ Latin of Philadelphia
Dr. Leslie T. Fenwick
Award-Winning Author & Dean Emerita
Howard University School of Education
Dr. John B. King, Jr.
Chancellor, SUNY
Hamid A Khalid
Activist For Justice and Freedom
Lupe Fiasco
Grammy Award-winning rapper, songwriter, producer, and visionary

BREAKOUT SPEAKERS

Abigail Henry
Schomburg Fellow/Graduate Assistant
Ashley Ogbonna
Education Attorney
Ashlyn Thomas
Research & Engagement Manager, UNCF
Brynn Johnson
Senior Manager, Educator Initiatives at National Geographic Society
Clyde Cole
Senior Associate, Great Schools Partnership
Dr. Constance Lindsay
Assistant Professor of Educational Leadership, UNC Chapel Hill
Courtney Taylor
Founder & Executive Director The E.V.E. Group
Darren Rainey, Sr.
Founder, Melanated Masterminds
DaSean Jones
Parent Advocate, DC parent
Dr. David McGuire
Principal, Rooted School Indy
David Spellmon
CEO, Positive Archer Solutions
Dr. Aaron Bass
CEO, EastSide Charter School
Dr. Asya Johnson
Creator & Founder of HBCU Early College Prep-NYC
Dr. Donna-Marie Cole
Executive Director (PEDC) & Assistant Professor, East Stroudsburg University
Dr. Essence Allen-Presley
CEO & Founder, The Education Institute for Early Intervention (EIEI)
Dr. Jacob Easley II
Educator | CEO | Podcaster
Dr. Larry Collier
Co Founder, Educational and Community Strategies
Dr. Mike Brown
Director, The Principal Leaning Center (PLC)
Dr. Nadia Bennett
Founder and CEO, When Brown Girls Lead
Dr. Paula Stanton
Supervisor of Culture and Climate, Harford County Public Schools
Dr. Didi Watts
Co-Founder, Watts of Power Foundation
Dr. Peter Watts
Co-Founder, Watts of Power Foundation
Dr. Tasean Baldwin
Doctor | PhD | Educator | Teacher
Dr. William White
Faculty, North Seattle College
Elaine Wells
Quality Education Advocate, Global Thinking Initiatives Inc
Emily Sagor
Policy Manager, Teach Plus Pennsylvania
Evalaurene Jean-Charles
CEO & Founder, Black on Black Eduaction
Gary Beidleman
Superintendent, New York City Public Schools
Gavin Smith
Boston Latin Academy Head of School
Imani Wulff-Cochrane
Delaware State University Undergraduate Student
Ismael Jimenez
Educator and Activist
Jamal Berry
President & CEO, Educare Washington DC
Janear Hankerson
Accountant, Educator, and Comedy Writer
Jason Acosta
Deputy Senior Director, Diversity Recruitment and Special Initiatives at NYC Public Schools
Jeff Livingston
CEO, EdSolutions
Jeremy Cooper
Educational Leader & Researcher School District of Philadelphia
Jillian Ogundele
Instructional Coach, Black Teacher Collaborative
Kareem McQuilkin
Education Manager, We Do It 4 The Culture
Kazmir Davis
Principal, YouthBuild Philadelphia Charter School
Keilani Martin Goggins
Managing Director, BEI
Lisa Lazare
Executive Director, Educators for Excellence MA
Mario Jovan Shaw
Social Impact Leadership Coach
Dr. Mary Rice-Boothe
Founder, Leading-Within, LLC
Maurice Blackmon
PhD Student, CUNY Graduate Center
Dr. Meredith Anderson
Director of K-12 Research, UNCF
Miriam Kamya
Director, Strategic Partnerships National Geographic Society
Nikia D. Garland, MS, MA
Literacy Coach, Indianapolis Public Schools
Njemele Anderson
Founder of Linked Destinies Academy
Orin Robinson
Dean Of Students, Durham Nativity School
Principal Kafele
Master teacher, Transformational School Leader,
Speaker & Author
Ryne Anthony
Co-Founder and Director of Innovation Fluxspace
Sabion Kelley
5th-8th Grade Social Studies and Leadership Teacher, Durham Nativity School
Sharae Curd
Pennsylvania Managing Director of Programs, Teach Plus
Shayna Renee Hammond
CEO of Lead For Liberation and Indigo Unbound
Shomari A. James
Co-Founder, Chairman, and CEO Equity Now, Inc.
Dr. Sonn Sam
National Director of Partnerships Big Picture Learning
Dr. Tamisha Sales
Social Impact Innovator & Researcher Girl Coalition of Indiana
TaraShaun Gipson
Executive Director, Black Principals Network
Vicki Jones
Senior Project Manager, TeacHCPS
Will Okrafo-Smart
Recruitment Director Teach For America
William Krasnow
Founder & CEO, SwiftScore
Willie Buford
Out of School Time Education Consultant
Winston Cox
Co-CEO of Cox LEADS, LLC
Zaretta Hammond
CEO of Transformative Learning Solutions
Zaynab Baalbaki
TPS Coach and Networks Co-Lead
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WHAT BMEC ATTENDEES SAY

“Seeing so many brothers in education is uplifting.”

“I was forced to reflect on how my actions, both deliberate and unconscious, caused some of my students to be excluded and left out. I brought back more of a willingness to learn about my students—to reach them in a way that not only is inclusive but also genuine.”

“The vibe was the thing—a day where you just feel at home as a man of color in education.”

“Convening provided life-giving energy, fitting for uplifting and encouraging spiritual warriors. Wide variety of session topics and truly delightful interactions with everyone who crossed paths.”

“I was surrounded by people who didn’t look like me…There were jokes and references I didn’t get, times I felt excluded from the conversation…I was keenly aware of how every person interacted with me and constantly questioned what they were thinking about me and my presence. In other words…I got just the smallest window into the experience of many Black male educators and students in our schools.”

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CENTER NEWS

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#BMEC2026
EARLY REGISTRATION
IS NOW OPEN

We can’t wait to see you there–where, together, we'll continue our work advancing educational equity and strengthening the Black Teacher Pipeline.