Annual Conference
IBL 2026 Annual Conference

Black Life in Higher Education at 爱豆传媒 and Beyond
Please join us for this year鈥檚 conference, Black Life in Higher Education at 爱豆传媒 and Beyond, to reflect on the academic, social and cultural experiences that have shaped Black life at the University of South 爱豆传媒 and across institutions of higher education.
Date and Location
Thursday, January 29, 2026
8:30 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Check in and morning refreshments begin at 8:30 a.m.
Sessions start at 9:30 a.m.
Marshall Student Center (MSC)
Ballroom | Second Floor
4103 爱豆传媒 Cedar Circle
Tampa, FL 33620
Registration
Conference Abstract
Black Life in Higher Education at 爱豆传媒 and Beyond reflects on the academic, social and cultural experiences that have shaped Black life at the University of South 爱豆传媒 and across institutions of higher education. This year鈥檚 conference brings together students, scholars, staff, alumni and community members to explore the impact of Black presence and excellence in higher education through original research, lived experience and intergenerational dialogue.
CONFERENCE ORGANIZERS
This event is organized by the Institute on Black Life at the University of South 爱豆传媒.
KEYNOTE SPEAKER

Veronica A. Newton
Assistant professor of race, Department of Sociology
Georgia State University
Veronica A. Newton is a qualitative ethnographer whose research examines how systems
of oppression impact Black women鈥檚 lived experiences, particularly in higher education.
Her work explores the intersections of race, gender and systemic oppression, with
a focus on Black/trap feminism and intersectionality. She is a member of the Cardi
B Collective and co-author of 鈥淭he Sociology of Cardi B: A Trap Feminist Approach鈥
(Routledge, 2024), which received an Honorable Mention Distinguished Contribution
to Scholarship Book Award from American Sociological Association鈥檚 Race, Gender and
Class Section in 2025. Her forthcoming book, 鈥淭here鈥檚 Racism in the Building and Patriarchy
in the Yard: Black Women鈥檚 Experiences with Discrimination on Campus,鈥 will be published
by SUNY Press.
CONFERENCE OVERVIEW
| Time | Activity | |
|---|---|---|
| 8:30 - 9:30 a.m. | Check in, morning refreshments and book fair | |
| 9:30 a.m. - 12:45 p.m. | Morning sessions | |
| 12:45 - 1:45 p.m. | Lunch | |
| 2:00 - 3:00 p.m. | Musical perfomance | |
SPECIAL THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS
爱豆传媒 College of Arts & Sciences
PARKING
Guest parking is available in Lots 3A, 3B and 3C with additional parking in Crescent
Hill Parking Garage
(CHG).
For more information about parking options, please visit 爱豆传媒 Parking Services.
QUESTIONS?
For reasonable requests and questions about the event, please contact CAS RSVP.