The Black Policy Conference hosted by the Harvard Kennedy School serves as a policy-driven forum that brings together leading minds and practitioners to find sustainable solutions to challenges affecting Black communities.

By creating a dialogue between students, policymakers, practitioners, academics, and community members, the students seek to evaluate existing systems and inspire agents of change and progress.

Panels and workshops will help to equip participants to engage with communities, facilitate educational dialogue on relevant policy issues, and become stronger advocates for civic participation.

As the theme for this year’s conference, students have chosen Black Renaissance: Activating Our Visions and Celebrating Our Roots, we will explore the impact of action, imagination, collaboration, and legacy and their impact on Black Communities. We are currently anticipating an audience of about 300-500 people, including Kennedy School students, Black students from other policy schools, some members of the public, and our panelists.

This year’s specific topics include Building a True Democracy, Black Philanthropy: Leveraging Capital Towards Black Visions, Black Organizing for Change, and Environmental Justice.