This two-day symposium at Howard University, home of the Black Press Archives, will convene scholars, journalists, archivists, artists, and students to critically examine the past, present, and futures of the Black Press.

Building on the 2026 volume A Full Measure of Freedom: The Black Press at 200, the symposium treats the bicentennial not only as a moment of reflection, but also as an opportunity to assess the ongoing significance of Black journalism as “the conscience of our nation.”

Submission Guidelines

We invite abstracts of up to 300 words for individual papers and panels engaging one or more of the following themes:

Historical Legacies

The development and influence of the Black Press as an instrument of democracy, protest, and cultural politics. The Black Press as an engine of local and global change.

Contemporary Practices

How Black publications speak to the present political and cultural moment, including questions of ownership, funding, and sustainability.

Futures of the Black Press

Archival practice and preservation efforts. Digital and social media as sites for sustaining and reimagining Black journalistic traditions.

We particularly encourage submissions from community scholars, independent researchers, and practitioners.

Important Dates

Submission Deadline: September 18, 2026
Notification of Acceptance: October 30, 2026
Symposium Dates: March 17–18, 2027

Submission Information

Please submit proposals or direct questions to:
mguy@blackpressresearchcollective.org