19th Annual Black New England Conference

Black New England Conference 2025

Saturday, October 25, 2025

The State of the Union: A Critical Perspective on Black America from 1776 to 2026

19th Annual Black New England Conference

The State of The Union: A Critical Perspective on Black America from 1776 to 2026

Event Schedule

10:00 AM – 11:30 AM
Round Table Discussion with Social Media Content Creators and Moderator.

11:30 AM – 12:30 PM
Facilitate Small Group Discussions with Individual Presenters and Participants.

12:30 PM – 1:30 PM
Lunch and Citizen Award Presentation (Citizen of the Year: Shay Stewart-Bouley).

1:30 PM – 2:30 PM
Keynote Conversation with Lynae Vanee and Shannon LaNier.

2:30 PM – 3:00 PM
Networking Opportunity.

 

Registration Fees

Student scholarships are available. Email dariya@blackheritagetrailnh.org for more info.

 

In-Person

Full Conference Fee - $95

Register Here for Regular In-Person Attendance

Student Conference Fee - $50

Register Here for Student In-Person Registration

Virtual

Full Conference Fee - $45

Register Here for Regular Virtual Attendance

Student Conference Fee - $10

Register Here for Student Virtual Attendance

* In Person Conference fees include full 1-day conference with round table discussion, small group discussions, awards luncheon, and keynote conversation.

* Virtual Conference fees include full 1-day conference with round table discussion, breakout room, and keynote conversation. 

 

Conference Links

Historic Black Innovators

Suggested Reading

2025 Citizen of the Year

Media Package

2025 Program Booklet

2026 Call for Papers

Building on the theme of resilience within the African American community, this year’s Black New England Conference will bring together a vibrant group of young content creators for a critical discussion on the progress, or lack thereof, on the path towards social and cultural advancement in the United States.

As the nation nears the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, this gathering will examine the current issues impacting African Americans, from racial justice and economic equity to representation in media and political disenfranchisement. These social media influencers, who have a powerful impact on public perception and community mobilization, will share their perspectives on how far African Americans have come, the challenges that remain, and the paths forward in areas such as education, economic disparities, political disenfranchisement, criminal justice reform, and community empowerment.

Attendees will explore how social media can be leveraged for activism, awareness, and change, with an emphasis on fostering an inclusive, forward-thinking dialogue. The State of the Union aims to inspire a new generation of leaders to shape the narrative and drive change as we look toward 2026 and beyond.

Participants at the conference will dialogue around some of the most pressing social challenges, which may include:

Economic Growth & Entrepreneurship: Generational wealth building remains a challenge, affecting access to quality education, healthcare, and financial stability.

Educational Opportunities: Schools in predominantly African American neighborhoods often receive less funding, resulting in fewer resources, larger class sizes, and less access to advanced courses. This underfunding contributes to disparities in educational outcomes,  affecting college attendance rates and job opportunities for African American youth.

Racial Justice and Criminal Reform: Systemic racial profiling, harsher sentencing, and over policing in predominantly Black neighborhoods contribute to a cycle of criminalization and mistrust between Black communities and law enforcement.

 

Political Engagement: Voter suppression tactics, such as restrictive voter ID  laws, gerrymandering, and the purging of voter rolls, disproportionately affect African  Americans, limiting their political power. These barriers to voting impede efforts to address other social issues affecting Black communities.

Representation in Media and Culture: African Americans have historically been underrepresented or misrepresented in media, which affects societal perceptions and reinforces stereotypes. Ensuring authentic representation is essential for fostering understanding and celebrating the diversity within the African American experience.

Addressing these challenges requires a holistic approach that considers African American communities' history, culture, and resilience.

 
View the recording of #BNEC2025 on our YouTube channel.

Keynote Conversation

In the spirit of her viral series Parking Lot Pimpin’, Lynae Vanee joins Shannon LaNier for a high-energy keynote conversation that blends sharp wit, cultural insight, and real talk on the urgent issues shaping our world today.

Panel Conversation

Join in the conversation as this powerhouse panel of today’s leading social media influencers brings fresh perspectives and sharp insights to this timely discussion.

Moderator

Getting There

Directions to SNHU

2500 N River Rd
Hooksett, NH 03106
800-668-1249

Parking is at Lot 1
Conference is at building L Dining Center and Banquet Facilities

Campus Map

Where to Stay

Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott, Hooksett NH
8 Bell Ave, Hooksett, NH 03106 (3 minutes, 1.5 miles)
603-606-5485 or kmarquis@girihotels.com

DoubleTree by Hilton, Downtown Manchester, NH
700 Elm St, Manchester, NH 03101
844-267-1715 (11 minutes, 4 miles)

Hilton Garden Inn, Downtown Manchester
101 South Commercial Street, Manchester, NH 03101
603-669-2222 (11 minutes, 4.3 miles)

Sponsors

Our sponsors make it possible to host the Black New England Conference.

Partner

SNHU

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Sponsor

Eversource

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Sponsor

Bangor Savings

Sponsor

UNH

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Sponsor

NH Center for Justice & Equity

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Register to Attend the 19th Annual Black New England Conference