The Black Heritage Trail of New Hampshire (BHTNH) is pleased to announce the keynote and panel presentations secured for its 18th Annual Black New England Conference (BNEC) on October 5, 2024. This hybrid event will be hosted at Southern NH University (SNHU) in Manchester, NH and online.

This year’s event, ‘LIVING OUT LOUD: The Intersectionality of Race, Gender, and Sexual Orientation’, features world-renowned Tiq Milan (he/him) for a Keynote Conversation: A Model of Possibilities to be hosted by NH’s own dynamic Angel Simone (they/she).

Tiq Milan is a globally sought-after host and strategic media consultant who’s worked with HBO, NBC News, and more. A former Senior Media Strategist and National Spokesperson for GLAAD, Tiq is a powerhouse in the media landscape.

Portsmouth-based speaker, trainer, coach, and certified DEI consultant, Angel Simone will bring her passion for community mobilization to the stage with Milan. As a TEDx speaker and advocate for marginalized identities, Simone is dedicated to creating spaces for diverse, meaningful connections and conversations. When asked about her participation at this year’s event, Simone shared, “When the actual title of a conference already helps you feel seen, you know it’s going to be a great day!”

According to JerriAnne Boggis, “The panel discussions throughout the conference bring awareness that from the Civil Rights Movement to Voting Rights and the LGBTQ+ Rights Movements, individuals at the intersections of race, gender, and sexual orientation have played pivotal roles in challenging oppressive systems and advocating for social change.” 

Boggis explained that each panel honors the success stories of individuals who’ve served as beacons of hope for current generations to live out their identities authentically. This year’s conference includes three interactive panel discussions: 

Panel #1: BEYOND ERASURE: BLACK QUEER TRAILBLAZERS AND THEIR LEGACIES
This panel, honoring Stormé DeLarverie, spotlights the often-overlooked contributions of historic Black and queer individuals who have shaped our nation. It will be moderated by
Dottie Morris, Associate VP for Diversity and Inclusion, Keene State College.

 Panelists include: 

– Ray Diamond (he/him), Distinguished Professor at LSU Law Center
– Tanisha Johnson (she/her), Director of Child & Family Services and Adjunct Professor, UNH

– Matt Garza, Artistic Director + Community Partnerships, The Haus of Glitter, Providence, RI

Panel #2: UNBOXED: REDEFINING CREATIVE SPACES AT THE INTERSECTION OF RACE, GENDER, AND SEXUALITY

This panel, honoring Willi Ninja, will delve into the evolving cultural norms surrounding gender roles and presentation, examining how the LGBTQ+ community has profoundly influenced the arts. It will be moderated by Melinia Hill Walker, Program Director at New Hampshire Endowment for Health.

 Panelists include:

– John Berst (he/him), Professor, University of Miami, FL
– C. Rose Smith (she/they), Photographer and Assistant Curator of Photography, Boston
– Raquel Willis (she/her), Activist and Author, ‘The Risk it Takes to Bloom’

Panel #3: A BURST OF LIGHT: FUTURE TRENDS AND EMERGING MOVEMENTS IN THE QUEER COMMUNITY
This panel, honoring Major Griffin Gracy, will explore forward-thinking approaches to uplifting marginalized communities and envision greater inclusivity, equity, and social justice possibilities. It will be moderated by Bithiah Carter, CEO, Give Black Alliance, Boston

Panelists include:
– Journee LaFond (they/them), Author, Podcast Host, Restorative Justice Activist

– Amanda McGuire (she/her), Clinical Mental-Health Counselor

– Harold Steward (he/they), Executive Director, New England Foundation for the Arts

 

More Information and Registration

The 18th Annual Black New England Conference is sponsored by Southern NH University, Eversource, TD Bank, NH Charitable Foundation, Give Black Alliance, Delta Dental, ReVision Energy, Episcopal Church of NH, RiverStone, UNH Center for the Humanities, Keene State College, and The Currier Museum of Art..

To learn more about the ‘Living Out Loud: The Intersectionality of Race, Gender, and Sexual Orientation’, please visit: https://blackheritagetrailnh.org/black-new-england-conference-2024/ .