Do Not Fear the Fight Ahead: Abolitionist Futures in Today’s Education Landscape

Abolitionist Teaching Network is thrilled to announce our 3rd Annual Conference, Do Not Fear the Fight Ahead: Abolitionist Futures in Today's Education Landscape, on October 20th & 21st, 2023. This dynamic event serves as a vital space for community building, political education, strategizing, and joy for educators, caregivers/parents, students, and activists navigating the present education landscape.

This year, our conference theme boldly asks us to Not Fear the Fight Ahead. Our gathering embodies a space for envisioning possibilities, grounding ourselves in abolitionist strategies and struggles, and responding to current right-wing education campaigns. Rooted in historical context and guided by abolitionist principles, we aim to foster candid conversations with other abolitionists and freedom dreamers.

To kick off the conference, we will be joined by dynamic keynote speaker, Bettina Love. Sessions have been curated to speak to the current education climate while empowering you to continue the legacy of abolition & liberation inside (& outside!) the classroom. This year we will also host breakout groups for educators, organizers, & students to meet one another and build beyond this event. We will also have joy sparks & giveaways throughout :)

As a young, grassroots organization, ATN’s conference functions as a space to gather our network & speak to the moment, but it is also our primary grassroots fundraising endeavor where we hope to raise sufficient funds for us to continue our key programming such as annual grant giving; creating rest & healing spaces for Black, Brown, & Indigenous educators; training classroom teachers on transformative justice practices and community organizing; conducting on-the-ground organizing campaigns, and more. However, as an organization rooted in abolition, disability justice, & Black feminism, no one will be turned away for lack of funds. If you need a reduced cost or free ticket, please reach out to ruth@abolitionistteachingnetwork.org.

Your involvement in this conference will not only invigorate our mission but also fortify the fabric of our collective efforts. Let's shape the narrative of education together, striving for a future where every Black, Brown, and Indigenous student & teacher experiences true liberation. Check out our schedule below & keep up to date with us on social media for additional details.

We kindly request that you email ruth@abolitionistteachingnetwork.org accommodation requests, including preferences for Spanish or ASL interpretation, by September 29. We will do our best to accommodate your request.