Hampton Roads Social Justice Conference 2027

Show up. Speak up. Step up.

The challenges of our time demand more than quiet observation or passive discussion. They demand active, bold engagement. This year, we invite you to join us as we live out our theme: Show up. Speak up. Step up.

This conference bridges the gap between theory and action by bringing together researchers, policymakers, elected officials, nonprofit leaders, community activists, business pioneers, faith leaders, and all individuals across Virginia working on pressing social justice issues.

Call for Presenters

We invite activists, scholars, community organizers, and practitioners to submit proposals that embody these three calls to action:

Show Up: Highlight grassroots efforts, successful community campaigns, and coalition-building strategies that bring people together across sectors.

Speak Up: Share groundbreaking research, policy innovations, and powerful narratives that elevate marginalized voices and push social justice issues to the forefront.

Step Up: Equip attendees with practical tools, scalable frameworks, and actionable strategies for becoming effective catalysts for meaningful, lasting change.

Proposals are currently being accepted for the following types of sessions: 

60-minute sessions: These might include: Workshops intended to educate and orient toward action, Panel discussions to bring people with a variety of areas of expertise to engage with a topic, Short film screenings followed by a Q&A, or other presentations.

20-minute short talks: Short talks can be mini TED-style talks and/or presentations about research, policy, advocacy, etc. These should be concise, engaging, and informative. Conference organizers will combine complementary presentations on similar topics to create 60-minute sessions with multiple presenters.

Poster sessions: Individuals and organizations will display a large-format poster showcasing their research, activism, advocacy, or nonprofit work. All posters will be shared on Wednesday, April 14.

Submissions

Submissions are open! Click the button at the top of the page to submit your proposal for the 2027 Hampton Roads Social Justice Conference.

Registration

Registrations are open! Click the button at the top of the page to register today. Take advantage of our Early Bird pricing until February 17, 2027.