07/24/2026
🎓 4th Annual Black Literacy Matters Conference 2027
THE BLUEPRINT: THIS IS THE WAY
Reclaiming the Methods That Built Black Literacy—And Rebuilding Them Again
📍 University of Nebraska at Omaha
📅 March 17–20, 2027
Black Literacy Matters is now accepting presentation proposals for the 2027 Black Literacy Matters Conference.
This year's conference is grounded in the newly published framework, Literacy as Exodus: The Reconstruction Literacy Paradox and the Collapse of Educational Will (Jackson, April 2026, Midwest Quarterly Journal, Pittsburgh State University), and will explore the historical methods, instructional practices, community conditions, and systems that once accelerated Black literacy—and how we can build them again.
We invite educators, researchers, school leaders, higher education faculty, speech-language pathologists, school psychologists, MTSS coordinators, literacy specialists, policymakers, advocates, faith leaders, parents, clinicians, community organizations, and literacy changemakers to submit proposals that contribute to The Blueprint.
Proposal Submission Dates
Opens: June 25, 2026
Closes: August 31, 2026
Conference Tracks
• Language, Literacy & Identity
• The Code of Reading
• Dyslexia, Learning Differences & Access
• Family, Community & Faith
• Literacy Across Cultures & Languages
• Educational Freedom, Preparedness & Innovation
• Literacy, Justice, Health & Human Flourishing
• Policy, Advocacy & The Power of Story
Black children continue to experience disproportionately low literacy outcomes across the United States, with approximately 80–90% of Black students reading below proficiency in many states. The Black Literacy Matters Conference exists to move beyond awareness and toward practical, evidence-based solutions that transform lives, strengthen communities, and expand opportunity.
Join nationally recognized keynote speakers, distinguished researchers, innovative practitioners, policymakers, advocates, and community leaders for four days of learning, collaboration, networking, and action.
Whether you are presenting groundbreaking research, successful instructional practices, innovative community partnerships, policy solutions, or transformative literacy initiatives, we invite you to help shape the national conversation.
Submit Your Proposal
https://lnkd.in/e9YK-5gu
Learn More
Visit blackliteracymatters.org for conference updates, registration information, keynote announcements, sponsorship opportunities, and more.
Please help us spread the word by sharing this announcement with your colleagues, professional organizations, universities, school districts, literacy networks, and community partners.
Together, we are building The Blueprint.