Author and Journalist Joy-Ann Reid Headlines 20th Annual Black New England Conference October 23 & 24, 2026
Nationwide — The Black Heritage Trail of New Hampshire announces the 20th Annual Black New England Conference (BNEC), a watershed summit dedicated to reclaiming the truth of Black history. Entitled “Shaping Tomorrow: Black Autonomy in an Age of Erasure,” the event takes place in Manchester, New Hampshire, from October 23–24, 2026. The conference will gather scholars, educators, activists, artists, students, and community leaders to examine how Black communities have historically fought for autonomy and how they are shaping tomorrow in the face of systemic erasure.
The historic two-day event features a keynote presentation by acclaimed author, journalist, and media entrepreneur Joy-Ann Reid. Known for her sharp political commentary and commitment to historical truth, Reid will be joined by host Anthony Poore for a powerful conversation about resilience, reinvention, and self-determination. They will discuss Reid’s remarkable rise to become one of the most influential voices in broadcast journalism, her removal from a position of national media power, and her journey to build an independent platform on her own terms. The keynote presentation takes place during the conference’s awards dinner on Saturday, October 24, which begins at 6:00 p.m.
Joining the lineup as the featured luncheon speaker is educator, author, and influencer George “Conscious” Lee. Lee, who has built a massive global audience by making critical race theory and history accessible, will lead a dynamic, thought-provoking dialogue on “Afrofuturism and the Digital Renaissance” during the midday session on Saturday, October 24, beginning at noon.
“This milestone conference challenges us to think deeply about what freedom, self-determination, and civic participation have meant, and continue to mean, for Black communities,” says JerriAnne Boggis, executive director of the Black Heritage Trail of New Hampshire. “This exploration is more imperative than ever in the face of the current administration’s attempts to bury parts of our nation’s past.”
The program will also include interactive panels and workshops over its two-day run. Registration information, full scheduling, and ticket options are available on the official event page at https://blackheritagetrailnh.org/events/black-new-england-conference
All BNEC events take place at Southern New Hampshire University’s Millyard Building at 33 South Commercial Street in Manchester, except for the keynote presentation, which takes place at the DoubleTree by Hilton at 700 Elm Street in downtown Manchester, a half-mile away.
About the Black Heritage Trail of New Hampshire
The Black Heritage Trail of New Hampshire preserves, promotes, and honors more than 400 years of African American history and culture in New Hampshire. Through walking tours, educational programming, exhibitions, conferences, and public history initiatives, BHTNH connects audiences with the stories of Black individuals and communities whose contributions have shaped the Granite State and the nation.
About the Black New England Conference
The Black New England Conference has become one of the region’s premier gatherings dedicated to exploring African American history and life today through an interdisciplinary lens. The conference provides a forum for researchers, educators, students, public historians, preservationists, and community members to exchange ideas while highlighting the rich and often overlooked history of Black life in New England.
For press inquiries, contact Jake Webb at (603) 570-8469 or jake@blackheritagetrailnh.org