The Black New England Conference (BNEC) is proud to announce Dr. Dottie Morris as the recipient of its 2026 Citizen of the Year Award, honoring her extraordinary contributions to equity, education, community leadership, and the advancement of Black communities throughout New England and beyond.
Dr. Morris will be recognized during the 20th Annual Black New England Conference, taking place October 23 & 24 in Manchester, NH. This year’s conference, themed “Shape Tomorrow in an Age of Erasure,” explores the ways Black communities have historically exercised autonomy, agency, and resilience—and how those lessons can inform the work of building a more just future.
For decades, Dr. Morris has been a powerful voice for social justice and institutional change. Through her work as an educator, administrator, scholar, mentor, and community advocate, she has helped countless individuals and organizations confront inequity, expand opportunity, and create more inclusive environments.
“Dr. Dottie Morris embodies what the Citizen of the Year Award represents,” said BHTNH Executive Director JerriAnne Boggis. “Her work is not simply about talking about equity—it is about creating the conditions for people and communities to thrive. She has spent decades turning values into action, opening doors for others, and helping institutions understand that inclusion requires both courage and accountability.”
The Citizen of the Year Award is presented by the Black New England Conference to an individual whose work demonstrates an exceptional commitment to the advancement, visibility, and well-being of Black communities. The award recognizes not only professional accomplishments, but also the sustained community leadership and personal commitment that create meaningful change.
Dr. Morris’s selection is particularly fitting for this year’s conference, which centers on autonomy, agency, and resilience. Her career reflects the power of individuals to challenge established systems, advocate for communities, mentor the next generation, and help shape institutions that better reflect the people they serve.
The 2026 Black New England Conference will bring together community leaders, scholars, educators, artists, activists, students, and advocates from across the region for conversations about Black history, contemporary issues, culture, and the future of Black New England.
The conference will feature keynote speaker Joy-Ann Reid, along with an array of speakers and programming examining what it means to reclaim power and resist erasure in an increasingly challenging cultural and political landscape.
“Recognizing Dr. Morris this year is especially meaningful,” said Senior Program Director Quinci Worthey. “At a moment when so much of the work of equity and inclusion is being challenged or erased, Dr. Morris reminds us that progress is built through persistence. Her example demonstrates what is possible when we use our agency to create change—not only for ourselves, but for the generations that follow.”
The Black New England Conference is an annual gathering dedicated to celebrating Black history, culture, scholarship, leadership, and community throughout New England. Now in its 20th year, BNEC brings together people from across the region to explore the Black experience in New England and to engage in meaningful conversations about the past, present, and future.
The 2026 conference theme, “Shape Tomorrow in an Age of Erasure,” calls on attendees to recognize the long history of Black resilience and resistance while considering how communities can protect history, reclaim agency, and shape the future.