2021 is coming to a close, and I had time to reflect on the virtual conferences I attended. The Black Caucus American Library Association (BCALA) hosted its National Conference of African American Librarians (NCAAL) XI from July 28th to August 1st. The host city was Tulsa, Oklahoma, which coincided with the remembrance of the Tulsa Race Massacre of 1921. Due to the ongoing pandemic, the conference had to go to a virtual space. This was the first time that the conference was virtual, and it was the best virtual conference that I attended. This blog post will discuss the conference’s highlights and share some insight on volunteering on two committees.
The theme was Culture Keepers XI the Sankofa Experience: Inspired by Our Past, Igniting Our Future. NCAAL XI had guest speakers like Nikki Giovanni, Michael Eric Dyson, Jason Reynolds, Carla Hayden, Terry McMillan, and so much more. I was excited to see Terry McMillan because at the time I had just finished listening to the audiobook of her latest novel, It’s Not All Downhill from Here, and, as audience members, we were able to ask questions. The fantastic writer answered the question that I asked. We used reaction emojis like the heart, applause, confetti, trophy, thumbs up, and laughing during the sessions. Hopefully, the speakers felt the accolades sent their way.
Some of the sessions that I attended:
- Welcome Social: Black365 Knowledge Bowl, hosted by Jamaal Brown and the conference programming co-chair Twanna Hodge. Jamaal Brown has the company Black365. This event was interactive, and Kahoot was used as the engagement platform.
- Opening Session – Inspired by Our Past: Speakers Nikki Giovanni, Kimberly Johnson, Andrew “Sekou” Jackson, and Ondrea Murphy
- Go Back and Get It! The Sankofa Journey to the Ph.D. in Library and Information Sciences, a session by Jason Alston; Dr. Tiwanna Nevels; DeAnza Williams, Ph.D.; and RaShauna Wright
- Identity Politics: The Weightiness of Black Womanhood in LIS, a session by Vivian Bynoe, MLIS; Kay Coates, PMC, MILS; Brittani Sterling, and Dylitchrous Thompson, MLIS, M.Ed
- Bridging the Gap: In Support of Female Librarianship, a session by Nichelle M. Hayes, Emily Drabinski, Loida Garcia-Febo, and Shawn(ta) Smith-Cruz
- Mapping the Past, Blackprinting the Future: Applying Critical Race Theory to the Experiences of Librarians of Color and Diverse Communities, a session by Tony Dunbar, Ph.D.; Aisha Johnson-Jones; and Ana Ndumu
- Celebrating Us: BIPOC Spaces of Joy, a session by Richard E. Ashby Jr., Shannon Bland, Emily Dowie, and Jamia Williams
- Four Hundred Souls Conversation with Editors, a session by Dr. Keisha N. Blain and Dr. Ibram X. Kendi
- So You Want to Be a Library Director? A session by Kimberly Johnson, Sonia Alcantara-Antione, Tamika Barnes, Tiffany Duck, Shannon Jones, and Kelvin Watson
- 50th Anniversary Gala, which featured Dr. Michael Eric Dyson
- President’s Ball & Awards, with featured speakers Shauntee Burns-Simpson, Dr. Carla Hayden, Jason Reynolds, and Patty Wong
- Closing Session Brunch – Igniting Our Future, with featured speakers Shauntee Burns-Simpson, Nichelle M. Hayes, Renate Chancellor, and Clifton Taulbert
Personal Highlights
I was on the programming committee and the evaluations committee. These committees helped me gain significant experience, like being a moderator for a session and putting together a survey for a conference. Being a part of the planning of NCAAL XI was excellent. I attended the virtual game night that Supermix Entertainment hosted. It was so fun, and I won the virtual game night. Lastly, in BCALA tradition, we paid homage to the “Deceased African American Librarians, Library Workers, and Library Trustees, June 2019—June 2021” (PDF).
I look forward to the next conference and will stay tuned to the location of the host city.
See also:
- Cultural Humility in Academic Librarianship: Interview with DEI Librarian Twanna Hodge
- Trauma-Informed Librarianship: Interview with Healing Coach Nisha Mody
- Empowering Administrators Through Social and Emotional Learning
- Unpacking Diversity Resources: An Interview about Diversity Audits and Best Practices
