On February 18, 2026 A federal court has permanently blocked the U.S. Department of Education’s February 14,2025 directive that discouraged and sought to limit diversity, equity, and inclusion programming in schools and colleges. The directive has been vacated and cannot be enforced nationwide. Educators and district leaders may move forward with confidence in supporting professional learning, including team attendance at the 2026 Black Literacy Matters® Conference. LEARN MORE

The Black Literacy Matters® Conference is a national professional learning convening dedicated to strengthening literacy outcomes through evidence-based instruction, structured literacy practices, and effective intervention for struggling readers.

The conference was founded in response to a measurable and persistent challenge: too many students across the country remain below proficient in reading. Among them are students who have historically experienced limited access to high-quality, explicit literacy instruction — including students with learning differences, students navigating language variation, and students in communities where literacy outcomes have remained disproportionately low over time.

The Black Literacy Matters® Conference focuses on solutions. Rather than centering rhetoric, the conference centers research. Sessions highlight the science of reading, structured literacy implementation, language development, culturally responsive instructional alignment, and practical classroom strategies that improve foundational skills and long-term achievement.

The conference also acknowledges an important historical context: access to literacy instruction has not always been equitable. Understanding that history helps educators close current instructional gaps with clarity, precision, and purpose. This context is not about division; it is about data. It equips educators to address persistent below-basic reading levels using evidence-based methods that work.

While the conference name reflects a commitment to addressing the longstanding literacy challenges affecting Black students, the content is instructional, inclusive, and applicable to educators serving all student populations. The strategies presented benefit any student who needs stronger decoding skills, language comprehension, vocabulary development, or targeted intervention.

Black Literacy Matters® exists because literacy outcomes matter. And when literacy outcomes improve for students who have historically struggled the most, overall student achievement rises for everyone.

What the Conference Focuses On