#BMEC2025
Save the Date: 2025 Black Men in Education Convening #BMEC2025
The Center for Black Educator Development (CBED) is excited to host the 8th Annual Black Men in Education Convening (#BMEC2025) in Philadelphia, PA! This exhilarating event, taking place November 20-22, 2025, will bring together over 1,000 Black men in education (and their supporters) from across the country to explore and share strategies for improving Black teacher recruitment, retention, and expanding the pipeline of Black men in education.
CBED is thrilled to continue this powerful tradition of hosting the largest gathering of Black men educators in the U.S.! #BMEC2025 will be an electric and transformative event, expanding opportunities for professional development, mentorship, community building and collective action to drive change within the sector.
Together, we will focus on practical solutions for improving educational outcomes for all students and expanding opportunities for Black male educators and future educator activists moving through the Black Teacher Pipeline.
Join us for #BMEC2025, where we will continue to build on the legacy of Black Teaching Tradition, drive change, inspire the next generation of Black male educators, and shape the future of education.
Stay tuned for more details, including early bird registration, the call for workshop proposals, and sponsorship opportunities! We look forward to seeing you this upcoming November in Philadelphia! Stay connected by following at @centerblacked! We look forward to seeing you in November!
Last year, #BMEC2024 was a sold-out event, making it our largest convening to date! We drew an incredible 1,400 attendees from across 40 states and four countries, representing a diverse range of Dreamkeepers in both education policy and practice. The convening featured 170 breakout speakers and was honored to have Dr. Gloria Ladson-Billings as the keynote speaker on the 30th anniversary of her seminal book Dreamkeepers: Successful Teachers of African American Students. #BMEC2024’s theme, Deacons for Our Future: Dreamkeepers Yesterday, Today, and Forever, celebrated the enduring legacy of Black male educators and their transformative impact on the future of education.
Research consistently shows the profound impact Black male educators have on students. Black boys with at least one Black teacher are 39% less likely to drop out of school, and when they have a Black male teacher, they are 18% less likely to be identified for special education services. Furthermore, Black students who have two Black elementary school teachers are 32% more likely to pursue higher education. Yet, Black men make up less than 2% of U.S. public school teachers, underscoring the critical need for continued focus on recruiting and retaining Black male educators.
Check out the First Annual KIPP DC Black Men in Education Convening that took place in March 2025 in collaboration with the Center for Black Educator Development (CBED). This transformative event attracted 200 Black Men in Education and brought CBED’s annual convening to D.C.! Plenty thanks to Andre Samuels, Director of School Equity Initiatives and to all of the Dreamkeepers who attended!
#BMEC2024 featured a compelling lineup of esteemed speakers, engaging panels, and interactive workshops aimed at empowering us as Black educator activists and enhancing student outcomes.
Additionally, inspired by the 30th anniversary of Dr. Gloria Ladson-Billings’s book, “Dreamkeepers: Successful Teachers of African American Student” & the 70th anniversary of the landmark Brown vs Board ruling, the 2024 convening theme was: Deacons For Our Future: DreamKeepers Yesterday, Today, and Forever.
The event focused on the following critical strands:
1) STEM
2) Curriculum, Instruction and Student Support
3) Leadership and Policy Making
4) Physical, Mental and Social Emotional Health and Wellness
5) Parent and Community Engagement
6) Professional Learning and Development
Are you interested in becoming a sponsor for #BMEC2025? The 2025 Black Men in Education Convening will provide a unique opportunity for companies and organizations to highlight their commitment to rebuilding the Black educator pipeline.
We offer a range of sponsorship packages that can help meet marketing, branding, and corporate social responsibility objectives.
Stay tuned for the sponsorship kit!
#BMEC2024 SPEAKERS
CENTER NEWS
Take action in response to
the U.S. Department of Education Layoffs
- Call your congressional members and show your support for the U.S. Department of Education.
- Attend local public events planned for next week during the congressional recess and make your voice heard.
- Get involved with your local school board.
- Stay connected and join the #WeNeedBlackTeachers campaign.
#SaveED #SavePublicSchools