About
MILESTONES
Celebrating 20 Years!
This year, we celebrate a significant milestone—the 20th anniversary of the Black Policy Conference (BPC)! For two decades, BPC has served as a vital platform for engaging in transformative conversations, driving action, and shaping the future of Black communities. It’s more than a conference—it’s a movement that has sustained its relevance, power, and influence across generations.
Over the past 20 years, BPC has brought together trailblazers, change-makers, and community leaders to tackle the most pressing issues facing Black communities. From education to economic development, healthcare to housing, and political engagement to cultural preservation, the conference has created space for bold ideas, practical strategies, and collective action. This staying power is a testament to its importance, its purpose, and the unwavering commitment of those who lead it forward each year.
This 20th year is a time to honor the legacy of the conference while looking boldly to the future. We are committed to making this a momentous event that reflects the weight of its history and the urgency of its mission. Under the theme Reclaim, Empower, Strategize, Transform (REST): The Path to Sustainable Freedom, we’re going big—bringing together the brightest minds and most dedicated advocates to explore pathways to justice, equity, and sustainable freedom.
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WHO WE ARE
Black Students Making an Impact
The conference was founded with the vision of establishing a lasting institutional legacy for Black students at Harvard Kennedy School, serving as both a homecoming for alumni and a dynamic platform for exchanging ideas on the most pressing issues impacting Black communities worldwide.
THEME
Vision Behind the Theme
This year’s theme, Reclaim, Empower, Strategize, Transform (REST): The Path to Sustainable Freedom, embraces the dual power of rest—both as a restorative act and a dynamic process for creating sustainable change. Inspired by Angela Davis’s call to dream of freedom as “peace and joy” rather than “unending struggle,” and Audre Lorde’s declaration that self-care is “an act of political warfare,” this theme encourages reflection, action, and transformation.
The pillars of REST reflect this vision:
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Reclaim: Honoring Black resilience by reclaiming historical narratives and cultural identities.
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Empower: Creating pathways for leadership and self-determination through education, economic opportunities, and political engagement.
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Strategize: Building sustainable systems in healthcare, housing, education, and economic development to address the unique needs of Black communities.
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Transform: Dismantling structural racism and building a just, equitable society for all.
This framework highlights the importance of caring for ourselves and our communities as we work collectively to reclaim, empower, strategize, and transform for a future rooted in freedom, justice, and joy.
WHAT TO EXPECT
Conversation
Discuss the policies, ideas, and strategies shaping Black communities today. These conversations aren’t just about sharing perspectives—they’re about laying the groundwork for action.
Collaboration
Real change happens when people come together. Connect with students, researchers, and leaders to build partnerships that turn ideas into impact.
Celebration
Honor the achievements, culture, and resilience of Black communities. Reflect on the past, recognize the present, and look ahead to what’s possible.
Challenge
Tackle the issues that matter. Engage in real discussions about systemic barriers and explore what it takes to push for meaningful change.
Community
Change doesn’t happen alone. Build relationships, expand your network, and find support in a space committed to collective progress.
Change
Explore what works, what doesn’t, and what’s next. Learn from real-world policy efforts, advocacy wins, and ongoing fights for justice.
© 2025 | Black Policy Conference
