2026 Black Excellence Summit

Join us in University Center Ballroom on Friday, February 6, 2026 as we build connections with faculty, staff and students committed to understanding and learning about Black identity. 

Our 2026 theme, "Roots of Success: Grounded in Community," highlights our foundational belief in the indispensable power of building and maintaining a shared community. We deeply value the rich diversity among our students, staff, and faculty, which is a key source of UMBC's strength. However, the reality for some of our community members, particularly those who are Black, often feel a gap in a shared cultural or racial community. To honor our theme, we aim to cultivate an environment where Black students, staff, and community members are not only heard and seen but also feel grounded in our shared community. Through the Black Excellence Summit, we are evolving the concept of Black Excellence. We hope to redefine it away from appealing to external societal norms, and instead, focus on celebrating the richness of the Black experience within our community, recognizing and fostering success in all its genuine forms.

Registration for the 2026 Black Excellence Summit is open! Registration closes on January 30th and space is limited. 

Interested in presenting at the Black Excellence Summit? Click here to see our proposal form.

Questions about the 2026 Black Excellence Summit can be directed to Amery Thompson, Director, Student Affairs Success Initiatives (ameryqt@umbc.edu) and Angelina Jenkins, Assistant Director for The Mosaic: Center for Cultural Diversity (arjenkin@umbc.edu). 

Business casual strongly preferred for this event.

The 2026 Black Excellence Summit Planning Committee hopes to see you on February 6!