2026 VDN Spring Conference: Moving from Allyship to Solidarity

We are really looking forward to hosting you all for our annual Spring Conference. This year’s focus is Moving from Allyship to Solidarity. 

Date: Tuesday, April 14, 2026

Time: 8:45 am-2:30 pm (with optional networking meetup following)

Location: in Richmond, VA

Program goals:

1. Understanding the limitations of allyship in this particular moment
2. Embracing an ethic of solidarity
3. Developing educational tools that center the concept of solidarity

We are thrilled to share that our keynote speaker will be De’Ana Forbes. 

De’Ana Forbes is a master social studies teacher in Gwinnett County, Georgia, and an educational consultant with extensive experience teaching courses such as AP United States History, African American History, Virginia & U.S. History, Economics and Personal Finance, World History, and Civics and Economics. She is also a doctoral student and graduate fellow with the University at Buffalo Center for K–12 Black History and Racial Literacy, where she has co-taught the Teaching Black History Microcredential for educators.

Her research focuses on applying Dr. LaGarrett King’s Teaching Black History Framework to develop meaningful learning experiences centered on topics including Reconstruction and the Civil Rights Movement. In recognition of her work expanding student access to advanced and AP coursework, she was named an Equal Opportunity Champion by Equal Opportunity Schools for the 2025–26 school year.

Following our keynote, we will have interactive sessions with a variety of presenters.

Schedule:

8:15 am-8:45 am Check in and breakfast treats

8:45 am-8:55 am Welcome from Head of School and housekeeping notes

8:55 am- 10:30 am De'Ana Forbes keynote on historical precedent

10:30 am-10:40 am Break

10:40 am-11:40 am Taaj Davis (Woodberry Forest) and Dr. Nefertiti Makeda (Norfolk Collegiate) - Religious literacy in schools

11:40 am-12:10 pm Lunch

12:10 pm-1:10 pm Nate Zuckerman (Highland School) - What is education for action today?

1:15 pm-2:15 pm Elijah Lee - 2026 Young Richmond History Maker, TEDxRVA Youth speaker, and local high school senior

2:20 pm-2:30 pm Closing reflections, announcements, and survey

We invite you to join us off campus for an optional, informal networking meetup at Bar West (5811 Grove Avenue).

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Host or Publisher Virginia Diversity Network