November 13-15, 2026
Philadelphia Marriott Downtown
1201 Market Street, Philadelphia, PA
#BMEC2026
#BMEC2026 IS BACK!
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.
Additionally this year’s convening strands will be as follows:
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STEM
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Curriculum, Instruction, and Student Support
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Leadership and Policy Making
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Parent and Community Engagement
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Professional Learning & Development
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Physical, Mental and Social Emotional Health & Wellness
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Sports & Entertainment
We can’t wait to see you there–where, together, we will continue our work advancing educational equity and strengthening the Black Teacher Pipeline.
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
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.
Black Men in Education Convening 2026
2026 Keynote Speakers
Dr. Bettina Love
William F. Russell Professor, Teachers College, Columbia University
Dr. Bettina L. Love is the William F. Russell Professor at Teachers College, Columbia University, and one of the nation’s leading voices on race and education. She is the author of the New York Times bestseller Punished for Dreaming: How School Reform Harms Black Children and How We Heal, which has received numerous honors, including the Stowe Prize for Literary Activism and the National Council for Black Studies’ Anna Julia Cooper & C.L.R. James Book Award.
Her earlier book, We Want to Do More Than Survive, has sold nearly 200,000 copies and become a foundational text in classrooms nationwide. Dr. Love’s work focuses on abolitionist teaching, anti-racism, educational reparations, Black girlhood, queer youth, Hip Hop education and arts-based civic engagement.
She helped create the “In Her Hands” initiative, which distributed more than $13 million to Black women across Georgia, and co-founded DREAMS, a national research project advancing reparative approaches to education. Her work has been featured by NPR, PBS, Time, The Guardian and Education Week.
Dr. Love has received numerous honors, including recognition as a Kennedy Center Next 50 Leader, the Truth Award for Excellence in Education and the Black Girl Magic Award. She is also the author of the forthcoming children’s book Bettina and the Ball.
Dr. Chris Emdin
Maxine Greene Chair, Teachers College, Columbia University
Dr. Christopher Emdin is the Maxine Greene Chair for Distinguished Contributions to Education and Professor of Science Education at Teachers College, Columbia University.
He is the creator of the HipHopEd movement, founder of Science Genius BATTLES, and author of several influential books, including the New York Times bestseller For White Folks Who Teach in the Hood… and the Rest of Y’all Too.
His upcoming book, The Sacred Art of Teaching: The Delpit/Emdin Conversations, further advances his work on education, equity, and culture.
#BMEC2026 Speakers
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!
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