Furthermore, 2026 is the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence. Against that backdrop, autonomy is not only necessary, but a statement. It encompasses the struggle for self-determination, control over narratives, economic independence, political representation, and the preservation of cultural heritage. The 20th Annual Black New England Conference will bring together scholars, activists, artists, and community leaders to examine how Black communities have fought for autonomy, historically and today.

• A milestone moment. The 2026 conference marks the 20th Annual BNEC — a significant milestone that invites not just reflection on where we’ve been, but bold reimaginings of where we can go.
• Centering Black autonomy in an era of erasure. The theme: “Shaping Tomorrow: Black Autonomy in an Age of Erasure.” In a moment when Black history and Black voices continue to be misrepresented, marginalized, or overlooked, this conference seeks to reaffirm the power of Black communities to define, preserve, and shape their own narratives.
• Bridging past, present, and future. Whether your work is historical, contemporary, or forward‑looking, BNEC welcomes perspectives that explore economic empowerment, cultural affirmation, community building, political engagement, self-defense, and institutional sustainability — fields deeply relevant to both academic study and community activism.

What You Can Submit — And How

BNEC offers generous flexibility in the kinds of contributions you can make. This is not solely a conference for academic historians or traditional research. Submissions may take various formats:

• Individual papers
• Full panel proposals
• Creative or community‑based presentations
• Case studies or community narratives.

Submission guidelines:

• An abstract of 200–250 words, paired with a short bio of approximately 100 words.
• Indicate the format of your proposal (individual, panel, creative, etc.).
• Proposals should speak to one or more of the themes: Self‑Definition & Cultural Preservation; Economic Empowerment; Building Community & Black Institutions; Resistance & Self‑Defense; Political Engagement & Representation.

Deadline: June 10, 2026.

Notification: Applicants will be informed by July 30, 2026.

Submission contact: Email your proposal to Senior Program Director Quinci Worthey at quinci@blackheritagetrailnh.org.

• Undergraduate and graduate students exploring topics of race, history, culture, politics, community development, media, or sociology.
• Educators and researchers — faculty or independent scholars with an interest in New England’s Black experience, Black history, or Black futures.
• Artists, activists, community members, and organizers — BNEC welcomes creative, community‑based, and cross-disciplinary work, not just traditional academic approaches.
• Anyone passionate about Narrative Justice — if you care about uplifting Black voices, challenging silence or erasure, and shaping inclusive futures, your contribution to the conversation is meaningful.

What You Gain (And What BNEC Gains)

• You gain a public platform to share your work with peers, scholars, community members, and allies across the region.
• You contribute to a growing archive of Black thought, history, activism, and creativity in New England — helping to preserve stories often overlooked or erased.
• You join a community committed to dialogue, learning, and transformation; your work can spark discussion, inspire action, and foster solidarity.

For BNEC and its wider community, each submission deepens the conference’s richness and breadth. The variety of voices — academic, personal, creative — helps paint a fuller, more nuanced picture of Black life past and present, and illuminates paths toward a future defined by autonomy, agency, and self-determination.

The 2026 Call for Papers is more than a formal invitation to a conference — it’s a call to action. In a world where Black stories are too often glossed over, simplified, or erased, platforms like BNEC provide space for complexity, authenticity, and power. For college students, educators, and community-minded individuals, this is a rare chance to engage meaningfully with history, identity, and the future.

If you have ever felt that your perspective was missing from mainstream narratives — whether as a scholar, a student, an artist, or a community member — consider submitting. Help shape a conference that doesn’t just recount history, but reclaims it. And most importantly: help shape a future grounded in Black autonomy, dignity, and possibility.

Source: Black Heritage Trail of New Hampshire, Inc