Conferences

Below are some conferences and summits that are great places for folks to continue growing their own social justice knowledge and skills while engaging with others who are committed to advancing equity and justice in many different sectors. Not every conference is offered every year, but many publish “save the dates” well before their next event, and we’ve included a brief preview of the focus of each conference “in their own words” to help you identify those that might be of interest.

 

Environmental Justice and Sustainability

American Association for Sustainability in Higher Education Annual Conference

“AASHE 2015 Conference & Expo, themed Transforming Sustainability Education, will convene a diverse group of campus representatives including faculty, students, sustainability officers, staff, administrators and presidents together with business, non-profit, government and community members for a sustainable celebration.”

California Higher Education Sustainability Conference

“The California Higher Education Sustainability Conference (CHESC) highlights cutting-edge research, as well as case studies with proven successes in curriculum development, operational programs, and community partnerships. This unique event is jointly organized by independent / private colleges, California Community Colleges, California State Universities, and the University of California creating the opportunity for dialogue across institutions.”

Center for Environmental Justice and Sustainability at Seattle University Conferences

“Our mission is to support interdisciplinary scholarship, teaching, and learning in environmental justice and sustainability.” The next CEJS conference will take place in 2016.

 

Racial Equity and Racial Justice

Incite! Conferences

“INCITE! Women, Gender Non-Conforming, and Trans people of Color* Against Violence is a national activist organization of radical feminists of color advancing a movement to end violence against women of color and our communities through direct action, critical dialogue and grassroots organizing. [In addition to many other activities,] Incite! organizes conferences, gatherings, and events designed to build critical connections, develop political thinking and ideas, and strengthen movement building efforts.”

National Association for Multicultural Education (NAME) Annual Conference

“In 1990, NAME was founded by a group of individuals that came together united by passion and vision for multicultural education to create an organization that would celebrate diversity, as well as challenge the existing social inequities. It has been the legacy of NAME to be an advocate for social justice issues in education.”

The National Conference on Race and Ethnicity in American Higher Education (NCORE)

“The NCORE® conference series constitutes the leading and most comprehensive national forum on issues of race and ethnicity in American higher education. The conference focuses on the complex task of creating and sustaining comprehensive institutional change designed to improve racial and ethnic relations on campus and to expand opportunities for educational access and success by culturally diverse, traditionally underrepresented populations.”

The Overcoming Racism Conference

“Racism operates on multiple interacting levels, from the internalized and interpersonal to the institutional and structural. The 2014 Overcoming Racism conference will explore what transformation looks like and what it takes to cultivate it in our selves and in our organizations, institutions and communities.”

Pacific Educational Group National Summit for Courageous Conversations

“The Summit for Courageous Conversation brings together dedicated leaders for racial equity from across the nation to engage in a deepened conversation about systemic racism and its impact on opportunity and achievement for all students. The Summit provides a unique space for collaborative exploration of the knowledge and skills needed to eliminate racial educational disparities.”

Race Amity Conference

“The National Race Amity Conference offers participants positive, focused opportunities for intimate discussion circles, interactive panels, and informative sessions on a variety of topics central to the main theme of race amity in the United States.”

Upper Midwest Queer People of Color Conference

“We’re excited to announce that the University of Minnesota Twin Cities GLBTA Programs Office is hosting the first annual Queer People of Color Conference (QPOCC). For and by QPOC communities in the Upper Midwest, this first annual QPOCC seeks to empower marginalized communities through education, advocacy, and community building. The mission is to organize an annual traveling Midwest conference for LGBTQ People of Color by creating a sustainable platform for QPOC voices, experiences and stories.”

White Privilege Conference

“WPC is a conference that examines challenging concepts of privilege and oppression and offers solutions and team building strategies to work toward a more equitable world. The conference is unique in its ability to bring together high school and college students, teachers, university faculty and higher education professionals, nonprofit staff, activists, social workers and counselors, healthcare workers, and members of the spiritual community and corporate arena.”

 

Sexuality and Gender

Incite! Conferences

“INCITE! Women, Gender Non-Conforming, and Trans people of Color* Against Violence is a national activist organization of radical feminists of color advancing a movement to end violence against women of color and our communities through direct action, critical dialogue and grassroots organizing. [In addition to many other activities,] Incite! organizes conferences, gatherings, and events designed to build critical connections, develop political thinking and ideas, and strengthen movement building efforts.”

Minnesota OUT! Campus Conference

“MOCC is a 3-day conference for all students, staff, faculty, alumni, and community members from around the state of Minnesota and surrounding region to discuss issues facing gay, lesbian, bisexual, trans*, queer, and asexual persons and straight allies on college and university campuses and in the greater community. The MN Campus Alliance believes every person on the gender and sexuality spectrum can be an ally around social justice issues.”

The National Conference on LGBT Equality: Creating Change

“Creating Change is the nation’s pre-eminent political, leadership and skills-building conference for the LGBT social justice movement. Since 1988, Creating Change has created the opportunity for thousands of committed people to develop and hone their skills, celebrate victories, build community, and to be inspired by visionaries of our LGBT movement and allied movements for justice and equality.”

Philadelphia Trans Health Conference

“This FREE conference offers three full days of workshops and activities focused on the health and well-being of transgender people and our communities. Now in its 14th year, the conference draws a diverse group of over 3,500 people of many gender identities and expressions from across the country and around the globe. PTHC is also a great space for our families, friends, allies, and providers.”

Upper Midwest Queer People of Color Conference

“We’re excited to announce that the University of Minnesota Twin Cities GLBTA Programs Office is hosting the first annual Queer People of Color Conference (QPOCC). For and by QPOC communities in the Upper Midwest, this first annual QPOCC seeks to empower marginalized communities through education, advocacy, and community building. The mission is to organize an annual traveling Midwest conference for LGBTQ People of Color by creating a sustainable platform for QPOC voices, experiences and stories.”

 

Did we miss something?

If there’s a great conference or resource that you think we should know about and/or include here, we’d love to hear about it! Just email us at info@hackmanconsultinggroup.org.