Community Calendar

The Will To Change 30th Anniversary Symposium

The Will To Change 30th Anniversary Symposium

Black Men for the Eradication of Sexism brings The Will to Change 30th Anniversary Symposium to Morehouse College

Atlanta, GA - Celebrating the 1996 BMES Conference and the first and only appearance of renowned author bell hooks at Morehouse College

King Chapel, Morehouse College
Monday, September 28, 2026
1100Am - 830pm

The symposium will include two keynote speakers, Dr. Beverly Guy-Sheftall, director of the Spelman College Women’s Research and Resource Center and Byron Hurt, award-winning director of I AM A MAN and Soul Food Junkies. Students will see and hear the oral history of student participation and feminism in the AUC from BMES alumni. An interactive Curator’s Talk event follows the opening of the BMES Archive Exhibit display. More reflection on impactful media and the 30 year span is invited at the film screening of I AM A MAN: Black Masculinity in America, from 1997. A special memorial tribute will be observed for bell hooks, Kevin Ladaris and Dr. Gloria Wade Gayles. Food buffet and beverages will be served. Open to the public and free programming takes place at Morehouse’s King Chapel.

The 1996 Black, Male and Feminist/Womanist Conference held at Morehouse College is recognized as a progressive moment in broadening the definition of Black masculinity. Today there are multiple dialogues occurring, some witnessing seismic shifts in perspective. We celebrate the agents of change that have strengthened the Black male feminist community. This symposium serves to support the continued challenge to sexism in the world, and especially such designated men’s spaces with HBCU campuses.

“This 30 year anniversary is a chance to remember that as its beneficiaries, men have a primary responsibility to challenge sexism, and that there is a long history of Black men doing just that. We’re coming to share with a new generation of Black men challenging patriarchy that they do not have to walk this path alone.”

-Omar Friella, co-founder of BMES

“Spelman College’s Women’s Research & Resource Center is honored to join other sponsors during this extraordinary 30th year celebration at Morehouse College. We were there in 1996 with our departed sister/comrade bell hooks and are thrilled to witness this critically important social justice movement gathering and to be reminded that “feminism is for everybody.”

-Beverly Guy-Sheftall, Anna Julia Cooper Professor of Women’s Studies at Spelman College and editor of WORDS OF FIRE: AN ANTHOLOGY OF BLACK FEMINIST THOUGHT

“The Will to Change 30th Anniversary Symposium is a critical convening that allows for continuing conversations about Black masculinity and eradicating sexism as well as looking ahead to build toward future aspirations.”

-Dr. Derrick Brooms, Executive Director, Black Men's Research Institute

PROGRAM SCHEDULE

Session 1
12:00-1:15PM Curator's Talk on BMES Archives Display, viewing opens 11:00a

BREAK

Session 2
4:00-4:05 Opening Libation

4:10-4:20 Discussion: Scholarly Impact of BMES

4:20-4:35 Keynote Address by Dr. Beverly Guy Sheftall

4:35-5:50 BMES Panel - "Remember When - Oral Histories of from the 90's",

5:50-6:20 BMES storytelling about navigating life since BMES include
poetry, storytelling, creative time, Voice Notes from the Field

6:25-7:25 Film Screening - I AM A MAN (1997), dir. Byron Hurt, food & drink served

7:25-7:40 Keynote Address by Byron Hurt

7:40-8:25 Memorial for bell hooks, Kevin Ladaris & Dr Gloria Wade Gayles