ONE DAY. BOLD IDEAS. LASTING IMPACT.
Building from the Center.
Designing HBCU-Led Ecosystems for Black Women in STEM
Friday, September 11, 2026·The Georgian Terrace | Midtown Atlanta, Georgia
The 2026 COE-BWS Summit brings together Black women in STEM, educators, researchers, students, institutional leaders, industry professionals, funders, and community partners for a powerful day of research, collaboration, innovation, and connection.
We are building what comes next.
The Center of Excellence for Black Women in STEM at Spelman College invites you to the 2026 COE-BWS Summit—an intentional, one-day gathering focused on strengthening the people, partnerships, research, resources, and infrastructure supporting Black women across STEM.
Building on the conversations and insights established through the previous summit's "Blueprint" theme, this year's convening shifts from identifying challenges to actively designing sustainable solutions.
Together, participants will explore how HBCUs can lead as research hubs, knowledge generators, conveners, innovators, and architects of more equitable STEM ecosystems.
The summit will center innovative pathways, interdisciplinary collaboration, institutional action, success models, wellness, belonging, and durable partnerships that position HBCUs as leaders—not simply participants—in the future of science, technology, engineering, mathematics, research, and innovation.
Why This Summit Matters
Four reasons this summit is essential.
HBCU Leadership
Centering HBCUs as leaders, researchers, innovators, knowledge generators, conveners, and builders of the STEM ecosystem.
Research Visibility
Elevating the scholarship, innovation, research findings, lived expertise, and professional contributions of Black women in STEM.
Sustainable Partnerships
Moving beyond transactional relationships toward lasting, ethical, mutually beneficial, and power-conscious collaboration.
Institutional Action
Creating a space where institutions, corporations, funders, researchers, and community partners can identify practical actions that continue beyond the summit.
One day. Four intentional movements.
Understanding
Ground the summit in purpose through welcome remarks, thought leadership, a keynote address, and the flagship panel.
Exploration
Experience research presentations, fellow-led discussions, wellness conversations, research displays, resources, graduate programs, businesses, employers, fellowships, and partner organizations.
Application
Explore how research findings can inform institutional decisions, investments, partnerships, leadership practices, wellness strategies, and sustainable change.
Connection
Build meaningful relationships with researchers, students, fellows, professionals, institutional leaders, organizations, funders, and potential collaborators.
Voices from the Community
Why This Summit Matters
Summit Attendee
Summit Attendee
Summit Attendee
Building from the Center
Join us on September 11, 2026
The Georgian Terrace · Midtown Atlanta, Georgia