Educating Toward Freedom
Interrupting mechanisms of mediocrity to protect a pedagogy of possibilities
Enjoy drinks and a kick-off dinner with our honored guests.
Two full days of learning and belonging-based networking.
Gain exclusive access to Equity Imperative strategic planning tools and resources.
Participants choose any one of our five online courses (each with three learning modules) and receive a one-year subscription to the content.
Have intentional strategic planning time after each speaker shares insights.
Every attendee will receive a personal copy of the latest book from each of our keynote speakers.
Unlock community check-ins after the summit to assess for progress and continued support.
Each full day includes a morning espresso bar and Chicago-style catered breakfast and lunch.
Experience up to two additional 90 minutes of intimate dialogue and questions our keynote speakers.
Submit to hold your registration while we begin billing coordination—your spot is confirmed when the purchase order is received.
Register and pay instantly by credit card to secure your spot and receive immediate confirmation.
Reserve your spot and begin the registration process; your seat will be finalized once we receive your check.
Learn from leading voices challenging how we think, teach, and lead toward equity and freedom.
Dr. Gloria Ladson-Billings is Professor Emerita at the University of Wisconsin-Madison and an internationally recognized scholar of culturally relevant pedagogy. Her groundbreaking research examines successful teaching practices with African American students and Critical Race Theory in education. A former president of the National Academy of Education and the American Educational Research Association, she is the acclaimed author of The Dreamkeepers and Crossing Over to Canaan.
Follow Dr. Ladson-BillingsDr. Jeff Duncan-Andrade is Professor of Latina/o Studies and Race and Resistance Studies at San Francisco State University and a founder of Roses in Concrete Community School in East Oakland. With over 30 years of experience as a classroom teacher and school leader, his work centers on community responsive teaching, youth wellness, and academic success. An internationally recognized scholar and author, he helps educators create classrooms and school cultures where students develop self-love, confidence, and the ability to thrive.
Follow Dr. Duncan-Andrade
Meet the Leaders Behind Bend The Arc
Matthew Rodriguez and Judith Diaz-Rodriguez welcome you to a summit built around meaningful learning, honest dialogue, and community. As your hosts, they bring The Equity Imperative’s commitment to equity and justice into every part of the experience, creating space to reflect, challenge assumptions, and turn shared learning into purposeful action for students and families.
Bend The Arc is designed for educators, leaders, and partners who shape students’ learning experiences. This includes classroom teachers, school and district leaders, instructional coaches, counselors, student support professionals, higher education partners, and community leaders committed to advancing equity in education.
We recommend attending with a team so you can learn together, reflect on your shared context, and use the dedicated strategic planning time to develop next steps for your school, district, or organization. Individual attendees are also welcome!
Please bring a laptop or tablet and its charger. Bend The Arc is a paperless summit, so session materials and resources will be provided digitally. Your device will also help you take notes and participate in strategic planning.Come ready to reflect, ask questions, connect with others, and develop next steps for your classroom, school, district, or organization.
Yes! Bend The Arc offers sponsorship opportunities for organizations committed to advancing equity in education. Sponsorship provides visibility while directly supporting registration access for educators who would otherwise be unable to attend.Explore our Sponsorship Packet to learn about available opportunities and how your organization can help expand access to the summit.
Yes! Select the check or purchase order option during registration. No payment is required at that time. Your spot will be held and finalized once payment or the required documentation is received.
The Fireside Chat is an additional 90-minute conversation with Dr. Gloria Ladson-Billings, limited to 40 participants. This small-group experience offers space for deeper dialogue, questions, and reflection on next steps. You can select this optional add-on during registration. Spaces are available on a first-come, first-served basis.
Yes! We have secured limited room blocks at recommended partner hotels. Once you complete your registration, The Equity Imperative team will share booking links to access the discounted rates. Rooms are available on a first-come, first-served basis, so we encourage you to book early given the summit’s proximity to the Fourth of July holiday.
Have questions or inquiries? We're here to help! Reach out to us for assistance, inquiries, or partnership opportunities.
We value your feedback and look forward to hearing from you. We will respond promptly to assist you with your needs.
