call for proposals

Call for Proposals: BLAC Gathering 2027
SANKOFA: To Go Back and Retrieve What Was Lost
February 19–21, 2027 | The Galloway School, Atlanta, GA

The Black Affinity Collective (BLAC) exists to cultivate community among Black professionals working in independent schools, affirming the importance of our work and our presence. Our mission is to support the retention and thriving of Black faculty and staff by creating a safe and supportive space to share experiences, uplift one another, and leverage our collective wisdom through mentoring, sponsorship, and coaching. We center Black agency, Black empowerment, and Black joy—recognizing these as essential to our individual and collective flourishing.

We are excited to continue this important work at the BLAC Gathering 2027.  Those interested in helping to co-create this experience are invited to submit session proposals that align with our mission and speak to one or more of the following themes:

Supporting the retention and thriving of Black faculty and staff

Mentorship, sponsorship, and coaching

Centering Black agency, empowerment, and joy

Flourishing—individually and collectively

We are grateful for the many workshops presented at our inaugural gathering this past February. Participants raved most about interactive, engaging sessions that provided participants with tools, resources and insights that left them thinking deeply and wanting more. We welcome proposals for sessions that similarly facilitate shared wisdom, foster connection, and celebrate the diversity of Black identities within independent schools.

Presentation blocks are one-hour long and should accommodate 45 minutes of planned content, experiences, and resources. We also ask that time be allotted in each session for individual and/or collective reflection. 

If you are interested in presenting at the BLAC Gathering 2027, please submit your proposal using this Session Proposal Form. You are welcome to submit multiple proposals; however, please use a separate form for each proposed session.

Key Dates:

Proposal deadline: November 16, 2026

Notification of decisions: The week of December 3, 2026

For those workshops selected, the primary presenter will receive complimentary conference registration, and a gift bag that includes premium BLAC apparel. If your proposed session requires more than one (1) presenter, each additional presenter will also receive a gift bag. Additional presenters are responsible for their own registration fees.

Thank you for your interest in the Black Affinity Collective and the BLAC Gathering 2027: Sankofa. We are looking forward to another memorable event and hope that you will be a part of it - as a presenter, attendee, or both! Please feel free to share this invitation with colleagues who may be interested in joining us as well, and don’t hesitate to reach out to either of us should you have questions. 

Hope to see you in Atlanta this February.