Resisting By Reimagining

Black SEL Summit 2025: Resisting by Reimagining

One Day. Three Bold Moments. One Black Future.

For three years, the Black SEL Summit has been a two-day gathering of bold conversations, Black brilliance, and collective healing. This year, we're doing things differently—but no less powerfully.

2025’s theme is Resisting by Reimagining—a direct response to burnout, disconnection, and the need to move differently in order to thrive. We’re compressing the summit into one transformational day rooted in impact, culture, and vision.

You’re invited to join us on Thursday, September 25, 2025, for a full day of activation, imagination, and celebration.

Your Day at a Glance:

🔹 10AM — Black SEL Hub Launch Ribbon Cutting Ceremony
Be part of the public unveiling of the first-ever Black SEL Hub - a prevention-focused, culturally grounded space designed to affirm, uplift, and empower Black students and communities through intentional social-emotional learning. With the theme “Resisting by Reimagining,” this initiative -strategically launching at a historically Black high school, invites us to challenge harmful norms and envision new models of wellness, leadership, and liberation in education.

Location: Hillside High School: 3727 Fayetteville Rd, Durham, NC 27707

🔹 11AM — “Resisting by Reimagining” Convening
Tune into a high-energy, culturally grounded conversation on how we use imagination as a tool for resistance—from the classroom to community organizing. This event features a live student panel featuring Black SEL Advocates, overview of Youth Participatory Action Research (YPAR), and interactive SEL activites facilitated by Black SEL practitioners and grounded in the Black SEL Framework.

Location: Hillside High School Auditorium: 3727 Fayetteville Rd, Durham, NC 27707

🔹 6PM — Dressed to Defy: The Annual Black SEL Gala
Fashion is more than flair—it’s resistance. Join us in honoring the legacy of Black creativity and defiance through a formal celebration of fashion, freedom, and forward-thinking. Expect music, storytelling, and unforgettable looks inspired by the Harlem Renaissance and the spirit of survival during the Jim Crow era. Come dressed like your ancestors are watching.

Location: The Durham Armory: 212 Foster St. Durham, NC, 27701

Why This Summit Matters:

We’re not just talking SEL—we’re living it. Through community, creativity, and culturally grounded strategies, we’re reshaping how Black students and adults thrive socially and emotionally. This year’s theme builds momentum for 2026: Resistance Fuels ReSELience. Don’t just witness the movement—be the movement.

We invite YOU to help shape this transformative event.

Through the Inclusion of Community Stakeholders and Civic Engagement- two Pillars of the Black SEL Framework, the Black SEL Summit creates a powerful space that fosters community involvement and shared leadership to address social issues.

We invite you to not only attend the Black SEL Summit, but also to engage more deeply:

• Nominate a changemaker for a Black SEL Award
• Partner with us in launching the next chapter of this movement! Email us at info@blacksel.org

And don’t forget to subscribe to our newsletter for the latest summit updates and announcements.

Let’s resist by reimagining what’s possible—together.

Please Note: All ticket purchases are non-refundable and non-transferable. By completing your purchase, you agree to these terms.