AN INTENTIONAL SPACE FOR BLACK INDEPENDENT SCHOOL EDUCATORS TO GATHER

FEBRUARY 2027

UBUNTU:
i am
because you are.

Intersectionality and the Black Diaspora in Independent Schools

The Black Affinity Collective exists to cultivate community among Black professionals 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.

BLAC Gathering 2027: Homecoming
Sankofa is an invitation to reflect, reconnect, and rise together.

RETURN. RECLAIM. RISE.

The 2027 BLAC Gathering invites us into a powerful season of Homecoming — a return to community, culture, purpose, and collective excellence.

Rooted in the African concept of Sankofa, a Ghanaian word and symbol meaning “to go back and retrieve what was lost,” this year’s theme challenges us to honor our past while boldly shaping our future. Sankofa reminds us that progress is strengthened when we remain connected to our history, our people, and the wisdom carried forward through generations.

2027 LOCATION: THE GALLOWAY SCHOOL

Homecoming is more than a reunion. It is a restoration.

It is the celebration of Black leadership, scholarship, creativity, resilience, and joy. It is a call to reconnect with the relationships, traditions, and values that continue to ground and guide us.

As we gather in February 2027, we return not only to a place — but to a shared legacy.

Together, we come home to:

Community

Culture

Excellence

Purpose

Legacy

CONNECT

"When 'I' is replaced with 'we' even illness becomes wellness."

-Malcolm X

The heart of BLAC is connecting, fellowshipping, and building lasting relationships with fellow Black educators. We invite you to join us in meaningful dialogues, shared experiences, and create powerful relationships that extend beyond your individual school.

ENGAGE

"Not everything that is faced can be changed, but nothing can be changed until it is faced."

-James Baldwin

Through panels, workshops, and keynote speakers, you'll explore new perspectives, gain fresh insights, and develop strategies for becoming more engaged in the institutional change efforts within your school.

REFLECT

"Caring for myself is not self-indulgence, it is self-preservation, and that is an act of political warfare."

-Audre Lorde

Through guided reflection, you'll learn specific strategies for practicing "radical self-care" as defined by Audre Lorde. You'll also set actionable goals for your professional journey and learn how to incorporate these practices into your daily life.

2026 Sponsors

We extend our sincere thanks to the sponsors of the 2026 BLAC Gathering.
Their support made this gathering possible and helped bring people together in meaningful, transformative ways.

Harvard-Westlake School

Mount Vernon School

Episcopal School

Oakwood School

SoCal POCIS

Carlthorp School

POCIS Northwest

AsEA

founding committee

Janine Jones | Harvard-Westlake School | Los Angeles, California

Stacey Lee | The Mount Vernon School | Atlanta, Georgia

Deairra Hobson | Resurgence Hall | Atlanta, Georgia

Sharon Williams | University of Chicago Lab Schools | Chicago, Illinois

Stephanie Tucker | Dwight Englewood School | Englewood, New Jersey

Donnie Smith | Putney School | Putney, Vermont

Cyreeta Sharp | Carlthorp School | Santa Monica, California

2027 planning committee