Sunday Circle

Live on Instagram every Sunday at 5 PM ET
Starting January 25

A weekly live community experience centered on connection, reflection, and real conversations around what families are navigating right now.

Welcome to the
Black Boy Joy Universe

The Black Boy Joy Summit is part of a broader ecosystem built to uplift Black boys through experiences, community, and year-round learning.

The Black Boy Joy Universe brings together live gatherings, digital experiences, and an ongoing community — all rooted in joy, belonging, and possibility.

This is more than a single event. It is a connected movement designed to meet families, educators, and advocates where they are and grow with them over time.

How the Universe Comes to Life

Live Experience

Our annual, in-person Black Boy Joy Summit, held each October, brings the community together for shared learning, celebration, and connection.

Digital Experience

An annual virtual summit expanding access and reach, offering three days of curated programming, conversations, and community-centered learning.

Sunday Circle

A weekly live community experience hosted on Instagram Live every Sunday at 5 PM ET, centered on connection, reflection, and real conversations around what families are navigating right now.

The Community

Black Boy Joy University — an ongoing space for connection, reflection, and growth beyond the summits.

WhatsApp Community

A simple, mobile space for ongoing connection, questions, and shared resources between gatherings across the Black Boy Joy Universe.

Masterclasses

Structured learning experiences led by trusted facilitators, designed to support meaningful shifts in mindset, practice, and understanding.

What the Digital Experience Is Designed to Offer

There are multiple ways to engage with the Black Boy Joy Universe, depending on how and when connection feels most accessible. The Black Boy Joy Universe is designed to support learning, reflection, and dialogue across generations through a range of experiences that meet people where they are. Some community members engage through weekly live conversations, others through ongoing community spaces, and others through structured learning experiences offered throughout the year.

The Digital Experience is one of these pathways. When active, it creates intentional space for online learning and facilitated dialogue that extends the values and conversations of Black Boy Joy beyond in-person moments.

Programming across the Universe is designed for:

Sessions and experiences center themes of identity, emotional wellness, belonging, leadership, and joy. Content is designed to be affirming, practical, and grounded in real life experiences.
As the Universe continues to grow through Sunday Circle and year-round community engagement, the Digital Experience remains part of a broader ecosystem that supports connection, learning, and shared understanding over time.

Brave Conversations. Brave Learning. Brave Joy.

Brave conversations are built through consistency, trust, and shared presence. Across the Black Boy Joy Universe, these conversations take shape through weekly live gatherings, ongoing community dialogue, and spaces designed for year-round engagement.

Sunday Circle creates a regular rhythm for live conversation, reflection, and shared learning. Our community spaces extend those conversations beyond the live moments, allowing families, educators, and advocates to continue connecting, asking questions, and supporting one another over time.

Together, these experiences form a living ecosystem where learning is ongoing, dialogue is grounded in lived experience, and joy remains central to how we gather and grow as a community.

Meet the Voices Leading the Conversation

2026 speakers

2026 Digital Experience Schedule

Entrepreneurship
STEM: Science, Tech,
Engineering, Mathematics
Health &
Wellness
Relationships &
Community Partnerships
Leadership &
Advocacy

Sat, Feb 7

10:45 a.m. EST

Audience:

High School Students (Grades 9-12), College/University/Young Adult Teachers

Beyond the Degree: College Gave Streamers Their Start - What Will You Build?

Terrell Galloway

Future Kings Mentoring Inc.

Type of Engagment:

Workshop

Description:

“What this session is about: If you leave college with just a degree, you played yourself. You are sitting on a goldmine right now and might not even realize it. Free high-speed internet, databases that cost companies thousands, a campus full of talented people who could be your future co-founders, clients, or lifelong friends. Resources most entrepreneurs would kill for, all included in your tuition. I used college to start a nonprofit (Future Kings Mentoring), launch a t-shirt business, meet my future business partners, and explore everything from aerospace to nuclear through internships. All with zero overhead because I exploited every resource the school was already giving me. This workshop breaks down exactly how to treat college like the startup incubator it actually is, whether you’re building a business, a brand, or just building yourself. Who it’s for: Black and Brown young men that range from senior in high school to seniors in college. How it connects to Black Boy Joy: Black Boy Joy is about owning your power and creating on your own terms. This workshop shows you don’t have to wait for permission to start building. College can be where you launch your vision, discover your passion, and set the foundation for everything you’re about to become. That’s joy, knowing you have the tools right now.”

Participant Outcomes:

“Takeaways: – Learning about the unknown unknowns (unlocking the many different resources college has to offer) – Time management skills (once you know the resources you have finding balance to maximize them is vital)”

Fri, Feb 6

6:30 p.m. EST (Fri only)

Audience:

“Parents/Caregivers Support Teachers/Paraprofessionals Teachers Administrators”

From Answers to Arguments: Cultivating Deep Mathematical Reasoning About Patterns and Rules

Leroy Smith

Realized Curriculum Solutions

Type of Engagment:

Workshop

Description:

This workshop focuses on strengthening mathematical reasoning while affirming and empowering Black boys as capable mathematicians. It addresses how traditional instruction often overlooks their strengths and provides educators with strategies to move students‚ especially Black boys‚ from surface-level responses to deep engagement with mathematical patterns, rules, and arguments. Participants will learn how culturally relevant mathematical argumentation can draw on Black boys‚Äô creativity, verbal strengths, and pattern recognition through hands-on activities, a simulated lesson, and intentional discourse routines. The workshop emphasizes humanizing instruction, supporting cultural identity, and creating learning environments where Black boys feel valued and intellectually challenged. Educators will leave with practical tools that build agency, promote productive struggle, and help students construct strong, evidence-based mathematical arguments that deepen understanding and reinforce positive mathematical identities.

Participant Outcomes:

“Identify and apply culturally relevant instructional strategies that affirm Black boys‚Äô mathematical identities and leverage their strengths‚ such as creativity, verbal expression, and pattern recognition‚ to deepen reasoning. Implement discourse routines and argumentation practices that move Black boys from surface-level participation to constructing, justifying, and critiquing mathematical claims. Design learning environments and tasks that humanize instruction, promote agency and productive struggle, and support Black boys in developing strong, evidence-based mathematical arguments that reflect true conceptual understanding.”

Fri, Feb 6

6:30 p.m. EST (Fri only)

Audience:

“Middle School Students (Grades 6‚Äì8) High School Students (Grades 9-12) College/University/Young Adult”

Crafting Your STEM Journey with Confidence and Purpose

Orinthia Harris

STEMearly LLC

Type of Engagment:

Workshop

Description:

This workshop helps black boys see themselves as thinkers, innovators, and problem solvers. Through storytelling, brain science, and hands-on STEM exploration, students learn how their thoughts, strengths, and lived experiences shape their STEM journey. This session celebrates joy, identity, and possibility, giving students space to discover what excites them, what they are good at, and how they can boldly create the future they want.

Participant Outcomes:

“After this session, participants will be able to 1. Identify their personal strengths and name how these strengths show up in STEM problem-solving 2. Understand how their brains grow through challenge and why mindset directly impacts skill building 3. Practice creative confidence through a hands-on STEM activity that reinforces teamwork, curiosity, and joy”

Sat, Feb 7

12:00 p.m. EST

Audience:

AI, Identity & Healing: Protecting the Brilliance of Black Boys in the Digital Future.

Christopher Grant

Humanity & Wellness Expansion LLC

Type of Engagment:

Workshop

Description:

I want our boys , in Jamaica, the U.S., Africa, the UK, and everywhere our diaspora lives, to know that they can exist fully in this new world. That the same technology that many of them are engaging with today (AI), though deeply affected by bias, can be a tool of empowerment if we build it with our cultural truth at the center. And that mental health isn’t weakness; it’s legacy. It’s survival. It’s expansion. Moreover, that people that look like them is working to ensure that they are considered when technology is being developed, and their voices and unique experiences matter in the world.

Participant Outcomes:

Sat, Feb 7

10:45 a.m. EST

Audience:

“High School Students (Grades 9-12) College/University/Young Adult Parents/Caregivers”

From Prompt to Profit: AI Tools for Young Black Kings

Victor “Coach” Hicks

Coding with Culture

Type of Engagment:

Workshop

Description:

“WHO THIS WORKSHOP IS FOR: Black boys ages 15-18 who are ready to step into their power as creators, entrepreneurs, and leaders. Whether they’re college-bound, building a business, or developing their personal brand, these young kings will learn to use AI as a tool for self-definition and economic empowerment – not just homework hacks. WHAT THIS SESSION IS ABOUT: “”Code Your Crown”” is a hands-on workshop where participants learn ethical AI use through personal branding and business creation. Boys will explore AI tools (ChatGPT, Canva AI, etc.), learn the 3 C’s ethical framework (Credit, Context, Control), and create two tangible outputs: a personal brand statement and visual logo. They’ll leave with practical skills for college apps, entrepreneurship, and owning their narrative in digital spaces. HOW IT CONNECTS TO THE SPIRIT OF BLACK BOY JOY: Black Boy Joy is about agency, possibility, and the freedom to create your own future. This workshop embodies that spirit by teaching young kings they don’t need permission to build – they can craft their own narrative, brand their own crown, and command technology on their terms. Through Coding with Culture’s K-HBCU computational thinking pathway, I’ve witnessed what happens when Black boys see themselves as tech leaders, not just consumers. This session creates space for that collective affirmation – that “”I see you, King”” energy – where boys share, celebrate, and step into their power together. Black Boy Joy isn’t a moment. It’s a movement that starts with a young king saying, “”I can build this. This is MINE.”””

Participant Outcomes:

“By the end of this 50-minute workshop, participants will: Create a personal brand statement (3-4 sentences) that articulates their identity, values, and vision for their future Design a visual logo/brand mark using AI tools that authentically represents who they are Apply an ethical AI framework (The 3 C’s: Credit, Context, Control) to protect their voice and maintain ownership of their work Demonstrate hands-on proficiency with 3-4 AI tools (ChatGPT/Claude, Canva AI, etc.) for personal branding and business development Articulate how AI can be used as a tool for economic empowerment, college/career preparation, and self-advocacy Access a curated resource guide with AI tools, tutorials, and the ethical use framework for continued learning beyond the session”

Fri, Feb 6

6:30 p.m. EST (Fri only)

Audience:

“High School Students (Grades 9-12) College/University/Young Adult Parents/Caregivers Support Teachers/Paraprofessionals Teachers Administrators Male Group Organizational Leaders (Boys/Men)”

Engaging Male Students of Color in High School

James E. Anderson, JR.

N/A (Northeastern University, Boston Public Schools)

Type of Engagment:

Workshop

Description:

This is a proposed gallery walk, share-a-thon style exhibition. Participants can flow through, glance at the research poster, ask questions, hear comments from the presenter, and discuss insights for black boys.

Participant Outcomes:

“Participants can expect to walk away with the following insights 1. Balancing Freedom with Structure using Personalized Learning Effective personalized learning isn’t about giving young adult males of color complete autonomy. 2. Extracurricular Activities Are Essential, Not Extra One of the most novel findings is that extracurricular activities aren’t separate from academic success – they’re a critical component of healthy student engagement for young males of color. 3. Self-Evaluation Drives Sustained Motivation in young males of color.”

Fri, Feb 6

6:30 p.m. EST (Fri only)

Audience:

All

Center Well-being and Liberate YourSELF

Dr. Myisha Rodrigues

Third Veil Consulting

Type of Engagment:

Keynote/Ignite Talk

Description:

My journey of self-care has evolved overtime. It wasn’t until I centered well-being and bet on myself that true liberation and joy came to be. Through this talk, I want to encourage you to find the thing that ignites your passion, think outside the box, and journey toward your liberated self!

Participant Outcomes:

Sat, Feb 7

1:45 p.m. EST

Audience:

“Parents/Caregivers Support Teachers/Paraprofessionals Teachers Administrators Male Group Organizational Leaders (Boys/Men)”

A Crown on Every Head: How Intentional Words Shape How Black Boys See Themselves and Lead Their Lives

Ashley Broadnax

Crowns Up Learning

Type of Engagment:

Workshop

Description:

“Black boys are navigating a world filled with mixed messages about who they are and who they can become. The words spoken to them and about them carry tremendous power, shaping their self-esteem, their identity, and their potential to lead. This session is designed for adults who want to be intentional about affirming, supporting, and empowering Black boys in ways that strengthen confidence and resilience. Participants will explore the science of affirmations, the impact of language on brain development, and the role representation plays in identity formation. We will discuss how everyday communication from caregivers, teachers, and mentors influences how Black boys see themselves and the choices they make. This workshop provides practical strategies for using affirming, culturally responsive language that lifts their crowns rather than dimming their light. Through reflection and real-life examples, adults will learn how to challenge negative narratives, speak with purpose, and create environments that reinforce belonging and leadership. This session honors the brilliance of Black boys and equips adults with the tools to help them walk boldly in who they are.”

Participant Outcomes:

“By the end of this workshop, participants will be able to: Describe how intentional language and affirmations influence identity, self-worth, and leadership development in Black boys Apply practical, culturally responsive strategies that support and affirm Black boys in daily interactions Use intentional communication practices that challenge negative narratives and reinforce confidence and resilience”

Sat, Feb 7

1:45 p.m. EST

Audience:

“College/University/Young Adult Parents/Caregivers Support Teachers/Paraprofessionals Teachers Administrators Male Group Organizational Leaders (Boys/Men)”

Advancing Empathy and Equity in Early Childhood

Jillayne Flanders / Dr Orinthia Harris

Center for Educational Improvement

Type of Engagment:

Workshop

Description:

It is never too early to teach and learn about antiracism. Utilizing excerpts from our books Little Learners, Big Hearts‚ and ‚Advancing Empathy and Equity in Early Childhood Education‚All participants will explore ways to further antibias conversations through children‚ literature, self-examination, and family engagement. Black Boy Joy is intertwined through our model and tools. Although aimed for educators for birth through age 8 programs, our work is very suitable for all learners. Our HEART+ learning approach and a framework for differentiated staffing supports with mindful, compassionate practices is included.

Participant Outcomes:

Participants will leave with a roadmap for their community that has multiple entry points. They will have a list of terrific children‚ books and options for introducing them. They will have a resource list for antibias exercises. And most importantly, they will have a joyful spark for addressing an uncomfortable issue.

Sat, Feb 7

10:45 a.m. EST

Audience:

“Middle School Students (Grades 6‚Äì8) High School Students (Grades 9-12) College/University/Young Adult Parents/Caregivers Support Teachers/Paraprofessionals Teachers Administrators Male Group Organizational Leaders (Boys/Men)”

Advocating for African American Youth with Autism

Glory Cassagnol, LPC

Glow Forward, LLC

Type of Engagment:

Workshop

Description:

“This session is designed to support parents and caregivers of African American/Black youth diagnosed with ASD by strengthening advocacy, empowerment, inclusion, and acceptance. As ASD diagnoses continue to rise, much of the existing research‚ and the practices derived from it‚ reflects experiences rooted primarily in White American populations. This presentation invites anyone who plays a meaningful role in the life of an African American/Black youth with ASD‚ whether as a clinician, educator, community leader, caregiver, or supportive friend‚ to explore culturally responsive perspectives of care. Participants will learn strategies and interventions that affirm identity, create psychologically safe spaces, and expand our collective understanding of how disability and race intersect. Ultimately, this session empowers attendees to reshape how we support African American youth with ASD in ways that honor their full lived experience.”

Participant Outcomes:

“Participants will learn: 1) strategies and interventions that affirm identity and create psychologically safe spaces 2) expand collective understanding of how disability and race intersect 3) empower reshaped support of African American youth with ASD to honor their full lived experience.”

Sat, Feb 7

10:45 a.m. EST

Audience:

“College/University/Young Adult Support Teachers/Paraprofessionals Teachers Administrators Male Group Organizational Leaders (Boys/Men)”

Race, Resilience, and Rethinking Teacher Well-Being and Joy

Rhonda Johnson

Limitless Empowerment with RhondaJay

Type of Engagment:

Workshop

Description:

This session explores burnout in public-facing fields such as non-profits and education, with a focus on teachers of color. While research often links burnout prevention to self-care and mindfulness, these approaches fail to address the deeper impacts of institutionalized racism and systemic inequities. We will examine how burnout among teachers of color differs from their white counterparts, highlight the lack of comprehensive resources, and propose starting points for organizations to build collaborative strategies. The goal is to spark dialogue, develop measured approaches, and create coalitions that safeguard against burnout while strengthening educators for the future. Inspired by ongoing threats to education equity, this workshop serves an inspiration and a safe space for collaboration, community, and unmitigated joy!

Participant Outcomes:

Awareness: Participants understand how burnout manifests differently for Teachers of Color ‚ and how resilience and joy can be reclaimed as part of the response. Tools: A framework for adapting burnout measurement instruments to include racialized stressors, while also uplifting practices that center collective resilience. Action: Concrete strategies for shifting from coping‚Äëfocused interventions to structural reforms that safeguard well‚Äëbeing, strengthen resilience, and intentionally bring joy back into the teaching experience. Equity Lens: Recognition that teacher well‚Äëbeing interventions are inseparable from racial justice and student equity ‚ and that centering joy is itself an act of equity and resistance.

Sat, Feb 7

12:00 p.m. EST

Audience:

AI, Identity & Healing: Protecting the Brilliance of Black Boys in the Digital Future.

Christopher Grant

Humanity & Wellness Expansion LLC

Type of Engagment:

Workshop

Description:

Participant Outcomes:

Sat, Feb 7

10:15 a.m. EST

Audience:

“Parents/Caregivers Support Teachers/Paraprofessionals Teachers Administrators Male Group Organizational Leaders (Boys/Men)”

Beyond the "YN": Understanding and Empowering Young Black Men in 2026

Sean Spencer

Future Kings Mentoring

Type of Engagment:

Workshop

Description:

Beyond the ‚ YN: Understanding and Empowering Young Black Men is an interactive workshop designed to challenge harmful misconceptions and replace them with truth, empathy, and actionable strategies. Participants will explore the realities young Black men face in education and society, uncover the roots of common stereotypes, and learn how these biases impact academic achievement, mental health, and relationships. Through data-driven insights, real-life narratives, and collaborative activities, attendees will leave equipped to foster environments where young Black men can thrive. This workshop is ideal for parents, teachers, administrators, and support staff who want to create culturally responsive and equitable spaces. Rooted in the spirit of Black Boy Joy University, the session celebrates the brilliance, resilience, and individuality of young Black men, moving beyond deficit-based narratives to center joy, empowerment, and opportunity.

Participant Outcomes:

“Raise awareness of realities vs. misconceptions. ‚ Challenge stereotypes and their impact. ‚ Provide actionable strategies for support.”

Sat, Feb 7

12:00 p.m. EST

Audience:

“Middle School Students (Grades 6‚Äì8) Parents/Caregivers Teachers Administrators”

The Bounceback Mindset: Turning Setbacks into Springboards

LAKESA BRADFORD MITCHELL

BRADFORD MITCHELL ENTERPRISES, LLC.

Type of Engagment:

Workshop

Description:

“‚ÄúThe Bounceback Mindset‚Äù is an interactive, high-energy workshop designed to help middle school boys understand the science of resilience and how their brains grow stronger every time they push through a challenge. In a world where social pressure, negative self-talk, and everyday frustrations can feel overwhelming, this session gives young Black boys the tools to bounce back‚Äînot just to where they were, but higher. Grounded in neuroscience, students will learn how their thoughts, words, and reactions actually reshape their brain through neuroplasticity, building new pathways for confidence, courage, and emotional strength. Centered in Social-Emotional Learning (SEL), the workshop helps boys recognize their emotions, manage stress, and turn mistakes into momentum. Through stories, relatable examples, ‚Äúbrain hacks,‚Äù and hands-on activities, students will walk away knowing that setbacks are not signs of weakness‚Äîthey are springboards for greatness. This session empowers every young king in the room to see himself not as a product of what happened to him, but as the architect of who he is becoming.”

Participant Outcomes:

Sat, Feb 7

12:00 p.m. EST

Audience:

“Middle School Students (Grades 6‚8) High School Students (Grades 9-12) College/University/Young Adult Parents/Caregivers Support Teachers/Paraprofessionals Teachers Administrators Male Group Organizational Leaders (Boys/Men)”

Decoding Power: Teaching Black Boys To See, Name, and Navigate Systems Around Them.

Dr. O’nae Chatman

Chatman Consulting Group

Type of Engagment:

Workshop

Description:

Decoding Power‚ is a transformational, research-based workshop designed to equip educators, mentors, and youth workers with practical strategies to teach Black boys how to recognize and name power structures early, rather than being shaped, or trapped by them. Built from Dr. Chatman‚ 20+ years of mentoring, ministry, SEL curriculum design, and field research through the Young Kings Gentlemen School, this workshop empowers participants to turn classrooms, youth groups, and community spaces into power-aware learning environments. Grounded in social-emotional learning, Black male identity development, and critical consciousness, this session gives attendees the tools to help Black boys decode what they see in media, understand the messaging behind music, identify the positions of power in school settings, and recognize who benefits from these systems and who is marginalized by them.

Participant Outcomes:

Identify strategies for nurturing Black boy joy at home without denying the realities of fear, grief, and protection that coexist with joy

Sun, Feb 8

1:45 p.m. EST

Audience:

Building Strong Children While Fixing Broken Men

Lemar Wilson

Uplifting Minds Enterprise

Type of Engagment:

Keynote/Ignite Talk

Description:

Navigating the challenges we face at home, within ourselves, and in our schools and lives can be tough. I want to share my experiences and insights with you because I believe our stories often mirror one another, leading us to similar outcomes. Together, we can find compassion and understanding as we support each other through these situations.

Participant Outcomes:

Allow them to see there is another side to the coin and how important it is to keep focus and move forward.

Sun, Feb 8

10:45 a.m. EST

Audience:

“Parents/Caregivers Support Teachers/Paraprofessionals Teachers Administrators Male Group Organizational Leaders (Boys/Men) College/Young Adults who serve as mentors, interns, leaders etc. working with boys”

Rooted Son: Awakening Our Ancestral Roots

Jamari Michael White

SONS OF SPIRIT LLC

Type of Engagment:

Workshop

Description:

Rooted Son‚: Awakening Our Ancestral Roots is an immersive experience for leaders, educators, mentors, youth workers and healing-centered practitioners who support men and boys of color. This session introduces a spiritually rooted, culturally grounded approach to helping boys and men reconnect with identity, purpose, inner freedom, and ancestral lineage. Through a guided self-assessment and an embodiment practice that leads participants to encounter their Sacred Flower‚ a symbol of their inner truth and ancestral medicine‚ attendees explore how true joy, groundedness, and healing come from within.

Participant Outcomes:

“After attending the session, attendees will be able to: Participants will identify at least one inner strength through the Rooted Son‚Ñ¢ Soul Assessment, gaining clearer insight into how this strength shapes their leadership and their work with men and boys of color. Describe a personal definition of joy revealed through the Sacred Flower visualization, grounded in inner wisdom rather than external expectations. Apply a reflective coaching prompt to help themselves or others take one concrete step toward embodying that new understanding of joy in everyday life and leadership.”

Sun, Feb 8

10:45 a.m. EST

Audience:

“High School Students (Grades 9-12) Male Group Organizational Leaders (Boys/Men)”

Joy Meets Power: The Art of Lifting Each Other Up

Natalie Martinez

The Martinez Collective

Type of Engagment:

Workshop

Description:

This session invites young Black and Brown men to explore the art of allyship with girls through a lens that builds their confidence, leadership, and emotional intelligence. We unpack the real challenges girls face, the ways gender stereotypes harm both boys and girls, and how boys can show up with respect, empathy, and strength. Using real talk, scenarios, and honest reflection, participants will learn how understanding girls‚Äô perspectives actually enhances their communication skills, reputation, and relationships. This is not about perfection ‚ it‚ about curiosity, growth, and tapping into the deep joy that comes from lifting others up. Boys will leave with a clearer sense of their power, a stronger understanding of girls, and practical tools for building healthy, respectful, and joyful connections throughout their lives.

Participant Outcomes:

“Understand key pressures girls face and why they matter for boys to know Strengthen communication with girls by practicing empathy and active listening Interrupt stereotypes that harm both boys and girls Build trust and mutual respect in friendships and social situations Recognize the leadership role boys can play in uplifting girls Understand how allyship increases their own joy, confidence, and social influence Approach relationships (friendships, teamwork, dating) with more emotional awareness”

Sun, Feb 8

10:45 a.m. EST

Audience:

“High School Students (Grades 9-12) College/University/Young Adult Parents/Caregivers Support Teachers/Paraprofessionals Male Group Organizational Leaders (Boys/Men)”

Healing in the Chair: Barbershops, Brotherhood, and Black Boy Joy

Dr. Sy’Quon Shaw

Morgan State Univeristy

Type of Engagment:

Workshop

Description:

“This interactive workshop explores how barbershops serve as safe spaces for healing, mentorship, and violence prevention within Black communities. Drawing from Dr. Sy‚ÄôQuon Shaw‚ research on the collaboration between social workers and Black barbers, participants will examine how these trusted community spaces foster brotherhood, emotional literacy, and resilience among Black boys and men. Through storytelling, dialogue, and reflection, this session reimagines the barbershop as more than a place for a haircut‚ it‚ a hub for connection, accountability, and joy. Attendees will learn strategies to engage barbers, educators, and mental health professionals in culturally responsive partnerships that reduce stigma, interrupt cycles of urban violence, and promote positive identity development. Together, we‚Äôll celebrate the power of brotherhood, community, and joy as transformative tools for collective healing.”

Participant Outcomes:

“1. Recognize how barbershops can serve as culturally grounded safe spaces that foster emotional healing, brotherhood, and community connection for Black boys and men. 2. Identify strategies for integrating mental health awareness, mentorship, and violence prevention within barbershop and other community-based settings. 3. Apply practical approaches to centering joy and positive identity development as protective factors against trauma and urban violence.”

Sun, Feb 8

1:45 p.m. EST

Audience:

“Middle School Students (Grades 6‚8) High School Students (Grades 9-12) College/University/Young Adult Parents/Caregivers Support Teachers/Paraprofessionals Male Group Organizational Leaders (Boys/Men)”

The Unbreakable Boy: Emotional Intelligence & Identity for the Next Generation

Byron Hopkins

Byron Inspires Growth LLC

Type of Engagment:

Workshop

Description:

“This session is a transformational journey designed for Black boys and young men who are navigating identity, pressure, and emotional overload in a world that often mislabels them. As a Marine veteran, psychotherapist, and Emotional Intelligence expert, I break down the science of emotions in a way that feels real, relevant, and empowering. Participants will learn how to recognize their ‚Äúinvisible backpacks‚Äù ‚Äî the emotional weights they‚Äôve inherited from family, culture, and experience ‚Äî and how to transform those burdens into strength, clarity, and confidence. Through storytelling, neuroscience, and interactive exercises, this workshop equips Black boys to lead with emotional mastery, self-worth, and authentic joy. This experience embodies the spirit of Black Boy Joy by teaching them that their softness is power, their self-awareness is leadership, and their story matters.”

Participant Outcomes:

“By the end of this session, participants will be able to: 1. Identify and articulate the emotional backpack‚ they have been carrying (stress, pressure, perfectionism, anger, invisibility) ‚Äî and understand how those weights impact behavior, decision-making, and identity. 2. Use practical Emotional Intelligence tools (Recognize, Reframe, Release‚Ñ¢) to regulate emotions, manage pressure, and build inner confidence. 3. Reclaim their narrative as young Black men by understanding how emotional mastery unlocks leadership, joy, and success in school, sports, and life.”

Fri, Feb 6

6:30 p.m. EST (Fri only)

Audience:

“Parents/Caregivers Support Teachers/Paraprofessionals Teachers Administrators”

From Answers to Arguments: Cultivating Deep Mathematical Reasoning About Patterns and Rules

Leroy Smith

Realized Curriculum Solutions

Type of Engagment:

Workshop

Description:

Participant Outcomes:

Fri, Feb 6

6:30 p.m. EST (Fri only)

Audience:

“Parents/Caregivers Support Teachers/Paraprofessionals Teachers Administrators”

The Power of Connection

Keshia Golding-Cooper

KGC Consulting, LLC

Type of Engagment:

Workshop

Description:

“Inspired by my own childhood experiences and featured in collaboration with Crayola, “”The Power of Connection”” centers the life-changing impact of meaningful relationships. This session is designed for educators, mentors, school leaders, caregivers, and community members committed to creating spaces where youth feel genuinely seen and valued. Rooted in real stories and practical strategies, we‚Äôll explore how intentional relationship-building fosters emotional safety, strengthens identity, and transforms community culture. Attendees will leave inspired to ensure youth are “”seen”” whether in classrooms, hallways or community spaces. Affirm brilliance, building trust, and supporting the holistic well-being of our youth.”

Participant Outcomes:

“1. Understanding the Transformative Power of Connection Participants will deepen their understanding of how intentional relationship-building strengthens identity, fosters belonging, and positively shifts school and community culture. 2. Practical Strategies to Build Meaningful Relationships Attendees will learn actionable, culturally responsive tools to create emotionally safe environments where youth feel seen, valued, and supported.”

Fri, Feb 6

6:30 p.m. EST (Fri only)

Audience:

All

Igniting the F.I.R.E of Unstoppable Joy

Dr. De’Shawn C Washington

Cultivating Changemakers

Type of Engagment:

Keynote/Ignite Talk

Description:

Using the F.I.R.E. Framework, Dr. De’Shawn C Washington will incorporate storytelling with tangible, practical action steps Black Boys, Black MEN, and those who love Black Boys and Black MEN with to ensure we thrive in education, in the streets, and in our purpose. This talk invites participants to reclaim joy as our God given birthright, and how the F.I.R.E. Framework protects one of our greatest gifts, unwavering joy!

Participant Outcomes:

Fri, Feb 6

6:30 p.m. EST (Fri only)

Audience:

“Black mothers and mother-figures raising Black and Brown boys across early childhood, adolescence, and young adulthood Caregivers and guardians navigating school systems, mental health supports, and identity development with their sons”

The power and the purpose of unity

Kelisa Wing

Promises and Possibilities, LLC

Type of Engagment:

Speaker/Panelist

Description:

This talk will encourage women who pour into Black boys as well as Black boys to understand that our strength is in our ability to stand together, united rooted and bonded in love.

Participant Outcomes:

“By the end of this panel, participants will be able to: Name the emotional labor Black mothers carry while raising Black boys in systems that often misunderstand, overpolice, or undervalue them Identify strategies for nurturing Black boy joy at home without denying the realities of fear, grief, and protection that coexist with joy Recognize the signs of stress, anxiety, and emotional shutdown in Black boys and explore affirming ways mothers respond, support, and advocate Understand how mother-son relationships shift across developmental stages and what boys need most from caregivers at different points in their lives”

Sat, Feb 7

1:45 p.m. EST

Audience:

“College/University/Young Adult Parents/Caregivers Support Teachers/Paraprofessionals Teachers Administrators Male Group Organizational Leaders (Boys/Men)”

Advancing Empathy and Equity in Early Childhood

Jillayne Flanders / Dr Orinthia Harris

Center for Educational Improvement

Type of Engagment:

Workshop

Description:

Participant Outcomes:

Sat, Feb 7

10:45 a.m. EST

Audience:

Advocating for African American Youth with Autism

Glory Cassagnol, LPC

Glow Forward, LLC

Type of Engagment:

Workshop

Description:

Participant Outcomes:

Sat, Feb 7

10:45 a.m. EST

Audience:

Healing the Father Wound: Reclaiming Joy, Identity & Emotional Freedom in Black Boys & Men

Michael Broadnax, II

Resilient Minds Movement

Type of Engagment:

Workshop

Description:

This session explores the father wound, a common yet often unspoken challenge for Black boys and men. Participants will examine how this wound shapes identity, relationships, and the ability to experience joy. Using a practical therapeutic framework, the session offers strategies for processing grief, setting boundaries, and rebuilding self-trust. Through reflection and guided exercises, attendees will learn how to reclaim their voice, embrace their worth, and step into joy independent of their father‚ presence.

Participant Outcomes:

Sat, Feb 7

10:45 a.m. EST

Audience:

“College/University/Young Adult Support Teachers/Paraprofessionals Teachers Administrators Male Group Organizational Leaders (Boys/Men)”

Race, Resilience, and Rethinking Teacher Well-Being and Joy

Rhonda Johnson

Limitless Empowerment with RhondaJay

Type of Engagment:

Workshop

Description:

Participant Outcomes:

Sat, Feb 7

10:15 a.m. EST

Audience:

“Parents/Caregivers Support Teachers/Paraprofessionals Teachers Administrators Male Group Organizational Leaders (Boys/Men)”

Beyond the "YN": Understanding and Empowering Young Black Men in 2026

Sean Spencer

Future Kings Mentoring

Type of Engagment:

Workshop

Description:

Participant Outcomes:

“Raise awareness of realities vs. misconceptions. ‚ Challenge stereotypes and their impact. ‚ Provide actionable strategies for support.”

Sat, Feb 7

3:00 p.m.

Audience:

All

Motherhood and Radical Black Boy Joy

Patrice Dawkins-Jackson

Finish What You Started Consulting

Type of Engagment:

Speaker/Panelist

Description:

Fostering Radical Black Boy Joy as Mother is a complex task that requires consistent self-evaluation and awareness, data collection, communication, emotional literacy, faith, and a dash of I ain’t eva scared. I just want to share this work in progress that’s called raising young Black boys to bask in the joy they deserve.

Participant Outcomes:

“Name the emotional labor Black mothers carry while raising Black boys in systems that often misunderstand, overpolice, or undervalue them Identify strategies for nurturing Black boy joy at home without denying the realities of fear, grief, and protection that coexist with joy Recognize the signs of stress, anxiety, and emotional shutdown in Black boys and explore affirming ways mothers respond, support, and advocate”

Sat, Feb 7

1:45 p.m. EST

Audience:

“High School Students (Grades 9-12) College/University/Young Adult”

Who I am - Finding Identity, Healing, and Belonging as a Young Man

Adrian White

Alexander’s Therapy and Consulting Services PLLC

Type of Engagment:

Workshop

Description:

I created this workshop for young men (16-23) for them to be able to examine the influences that shape identity (family, culture, relationships, expectations, and personal experiences). We will talk openly about topics many young men carry silently: grief, past hurts, pressure to perform, mental health, and the need to feel seen, respected, and connected.

Participant Outcomes:

“1- A stronger understanding of their identity, values, strengths, and direction 2- Tools for managing emotions tied to trauma, loss, rejection, or pressure 3- Skills for communicating more clearly and asking for support when needed 4- Strategies for building healthy connections and a real sense of belonging 5- More confidence in who they are and who they‚Äôre becoming”

Sun, Feb 8

1:45 p.m. EST

Audience:

Building Strong Children While Fixing Broken Men

Lemar Wilson

Uplifting Minds Enterprise

Type of Engagment:

Keynote/Ignite Talk

Description:

Participant Outcomes:

Allow them to see there is another side to the coin and how important it is to keep focus and move forward.

Sun, Feb 8

10:45 a.m. EST

Audience:

“High School Students (Grades 9-12) Male Group Organizational Leaders (Boys/Men)”

Joy Meets Power: The Art of Lifting Each Other Up

Natalie Martinez

The Martinez Collective

Type of Engagment:

Workshop

Description:

Participant Outcomes:

Sun, Feb 8

10:45 a.m. EST

Audience:

“High School Students (Grades 9-12) College/University/Young Adult Parents/Caregivers Support Teachers/Paraprofessionals Male Group Organizational Leaders (Boys/Men)”

Healing in the Chair: Barbershops, Brotherhood, and Black Boy Joy

Dr. Sy’Quon Shaw

Morgan State Univeristy

Type of Engagment:

Workshop

Description:

Participant Outcomes:

Sun, Feb 8

10:45 a.m. EST

Audience:

CTRL the Chaos

Nykolas Muldrow

CI Solutions Global Inc

Type of Engagment:

Workshop

Description:

“Life comes fast. Expectations, responsibility, identity, survival, pressure ‚ it‚ chaos out here. But kings aren‚Äôt created in stillness; they‚Äôre forged in the storm. CTRL THE CHAOS‚Ñ¢ teaches young men how to master their mindset, regulate their emotions, and respond to pressure like leaders, not reactors. Through real talk, strategy, and lived experience, this 60-minute lab gives them tools to: Stay centered when life gets loud Choose discipline over impulse, Turn frustration into focus, Build confidence rooted in purpose, Lead themselves before they lead others This is n’t a lecture ‚ its activation. They don’t leave with hype. They leave with a blueprint.

Participant Outcomes:

“Young men will learn practical strategies to manage emotions and reactions, allowing them to respond with intention instead of impulse in high-pressure moments. ‚Participants will build confidence through self-awareness and guided reflection, helping them recognize their value, voice, and leadership potential. ‚Each young man will leave with a personal action plan (a ‚ Chaos Control Blueprint‚) ‚ one commitment, one mindset shift, and one habit they will begin immediately to move toward their goals.”

Fri, Feb 6

6:30 p.m. EST (Fri only)

Audience:

“High School Students (Grades 9-12) College/University/Young Adult Parents/Caregivers Support Teachers/Paraprofessionals Teachers Administrators Male Group Organizational Leaders (Boys/Men)”

Engaging Male Students of Color in High School

James E. Anderson, JR.

N/A (Northeastern University, Boston Public Schools)

Type of Engagment:

Workshop

Description:

Participant Outcomes:

Fri, Feb 6

6:30 p.m. EST (Fri only)

Audience:

All

Igniting the F.I.R.E of Unstoppable Joy

Dr. De’Shawn C Washington

Cultivating Changemakers

Type of Engagment:

Keynote/Ignite Talk

Description:

Participant Outcomes:

Fri, Feb 6

6:30 p.m. EST (Fri only)

Audience:

The power and the purpose of unity

Kelisa Wing

Promises and Possibilities, LLC

Type of Engagment:

Speaker/Panelist

Description:

This talk will encourage women who pour into Black boys as well as Black boys to understand that our strength is in our ability to stand together, united rooted and bonded in love.

Participant Outcomes:

Sat, Feb 7

1:45 p.m. EST

Audience:

“Parents/Caregivers Support Teachers/Paraprofessionals Teachers Administrators Male Group Organizational Leaders (Boys/Men)”

A Crown on Every Head: How Intentional Words Shape How Black Boys See Themselves and Lead Their Lives

Ashley Broadnax

Crowns Up Learning

Type of Engagment:

Workshop

Description:

Participant Outcomes:

Sat, Feb 7

10:45 a.m. EST

Audience:

Healing the Father Wound: Reclaiming Joy, Identity & Emotional Freedom in Black Boys & Men

Michael Broadnax, II

Resilient Minds Movement

Type of Engagment:

Workshop

Description:

Participant Outcomes:

Sat, Feb 7

10:45 a.m. EST

Audience:

“College/University/Young Adult Support Teachers/Paraprofessionals Teachers Administrators Male Group Organizational Leaders (Boys/Men)”

Race, Resilience, and Rethinking Teacher Well-Being and Joy

Rhonda Johnson

Limitless Empowerment with RhondaJay

Type of Engagment:

Workshop

Description:

Participant Outcomes:

Sat, Feb 7

1:45 p.m. EST

Audience:

“Parents/Caregivers Support Teachers/Paraprofessionals Teachers Administrators Male Group Organizational Leaders (Boys/Men)”

Promoting Early Literacy in Black/Brown Students

Darius Walton

Type of Engagment:

Workshop

Description:

This session explores practical, culturally responsive strategies to strengthen early literacy development in Black and Brown students. Participants will examine how identity, belonging, home language, trauma-informed care, and community-centered instruction shape reading outcomes. This workshop equips educators with tools they can apply immediately to build joyful, affirming, and literacy-rich environments for young learners.

Participant Outcomes:

“Awareness on the statistics of literacy inequity in early childhood education for black and brown students ‚Strategies to help promote literacy in black/brown communities”

Sat, Feb 7

1:45 p.m. EST

Audience:

“High School Students (Grades 9-12) College/University/Young Adult”

Unleash Your Bold Forgiveness

Whitney Jones

Raymond K. Jones Foundation

Type of Engagment:

Workshop

Description:

A transformative workshop designed to inspire those who struggle to forgive. Through sharing my personal journey and the lessons I’ve learned along the way, I aim to create a safe space for participants to explore the complexities of forgiveness and healing.

Participant Outcomes:

“1. Empowerment Through Forgiveness: Participants will learn how forgiving others can release emotional burdens and lead to personal empowerment, fostering resilience and a more positive outlook on life. 2. Practical Tools for Healing: Attendees will leave with actionable strategies and techniques to help them navigate their own forgiveness journeys, enabling them to cultivate healing and peace in their lives.”

Sat, Feb 7

3:00 p.m.

Audience:

All

Motherhood and Radical Black Boy Joy

Patrice Dawkins-Jackson

Finish What You Started Consulting

Type of Engagment:

Speaker/Panelist

Description:

Participant Outcomes:

Sat, Feb 7

12:00 p.m. EST

Audience:

When Giants Wake Up: The Power of a Focused Young Black Man

Luther Riley

LJR Enterprises, LLC

Type of Engagment:

Workshop

Description:

“When Giants Wake Up: The Power of a Focused Young Black Man There is a moment in every generation when the giants rise ‚ when young Black men realize that they were never average, never ordinary, and never meant to simply survive. This is that moment. Who It‚ For: This movement is for every young Black boy standing at the crossroads of potential and purpose ‚ the athlete with a dream, the scholar searching for direction, the creative trying to be seen, and even the one who feels forgotten. It‚ for every son, brother, and friend who carries silent battles behind his smile, yet still wakes up determined to keep going. It‚ for those who are one decision away from discovering the greatness that‚ been inside them all along. What It‚ About: ‚ When Giants Wake Up‚Äù is not just a conference; it‚ an awakening. It‚ a sacred space where young Black men are reminded that focus is their superpower ‚ that their minds, when disciplined and directed, can rewrite the narrative that the world often writes for them. It‚ about shifting from pain to power, from distraction to destiny, from surviving to soaring. It‚ a clarion call to rise ‚ in classrooms, in communities, in leadership, and in life. How It Connects to the Spirit of the Black Boy: The spirit of the Black boy is ancient and divine ‚ forged in fire, tested by struggle, yet overflowing with brilliance, rhythm, and creativity. Inside every one of them is the heartbeat of kings, inventors, warriors, and visionaries. This theme speaks to that sacred identity. It reminds them that their melanin is not a mark of limitation but of lineage ‚ that they descend from greatness and are destined to build new legacies. ‚ When Giants Wake Up‚Äù reaches beyond the mind to stir the soul. It calls them to stand up in strength, walk in excellence, and live with purpose. Because when a young Black man becomes focused ‚ when he stops doubting his power and starts directing it ‚ the world will never be the same. When giants wake up, classrooms change. Communities heal. Generations shift. And the world feels their footsteps.”

Participant Outcomes:

Name the emotional labor Black mothers carry while raising Black boys in systems that often misunderstand, overpolice, or undervalue them

Sun, Feb 8

10:45 a.m. EST

Audience:

Rooted Son: Awakening Our Ancestral Roots

Jamari Michael White

SONS OF SPIRIT LLC

Type of Engagment:

Workshop

Description:

Participant Outcomes:

Sun, Feb 8

10:45 a.m. EST

Audience:

“High School Students (Grades 9-12) College/University/Young Adult Parents/Caregivers Support Teachers/Paraprofessionals Male Group Organizational Leaders (Boys/Men)”

Healing in the Chair: Barbershops, Brotherhood, and Black Boy Joy

Dr. Sy’Quon Shaw

Morgan State Univeristy

Type of Engagment:

Workshop

Description:

Participant Outcomes:

Sun, Feb 8

10:45 a.m. EST

Audience:

CTRL the Chaos

Nykolas Muldrow

CI Solutions Global Inc

Type of Engagment:

Workshop

Description:

Participant Outcomes:

Sun, Feb 8

1:45 p.m. EST

Audience:

“Teachers Administrators”

Reframing, Reclaiming, and Reimagining What Black Boys Need to Thrive

Dr. Amanda Austin

Iberville Parish School Board

Type of Engagment:

Workshop

Description:

As an African American female principal, I bring a distinctive blend of empathy, cultural intuition, high expectations, discipline, consistency, and deep-rooted love‚ a leadership style that has proven, time and again, to be highly effective for Black male success. This session reframes the narrative by highlighting the powerful and often underestimated role Black women play in cultivating Black Boy Joy, achievement, and identity development.

Participant Outcomes:

Recognize the signs of stress, anxiety, and emotional shutdown in Black boys and explore affirming ways mothers respond, support, and advocate