» CFP: Liberatory Literacies: Honoring the Legacy of Septima P. Clark Through Education and Archives
Description
The College of Charleston’s Avery Research Center for African American History and Culture will host a three-day conference entitled “Liberatory Literacies: Honoring the Legacy of Septima P. Clark Through Education and Archives” June 8–10, 2027, exploring the intersections of Black education, archives, civil rights, literacy, and community organizing.
The 2027 conference commemorates the 111th anniversary of Septima Poinsette Clark’s 1916 graduation from the Avery Normal Institute and honors her enduring legacy as an educator, organizer, and advocate for literacy and citizenship. Clark’s work demonstrates the transformative power of education as a tool for individual and collective liberation. From her early career as an educator to her work with the Highlander Folk School and the Citizenship Education Program, Clark connected literacy, political education, and grassroots organizing to expand Black civic participation throughout the South.
Through the theme Liberatory Literacies, the conference considers literacy broadly—not only as the ability to read and write, but as the ways communities develop the knowledge, tools, cultural practices, and historical understanding necessary to advocate and create change. Building from Septima Clark’s legacy, the conference will examine how education, archives, community organizing, and cultural preservation have shaped Black freedom movements and how these practices continue today.
We invite scholars, educators, archivists, students, independent researchers, artists, community historians, organizers, and activists to submit proposals.
We especially encourage work with Southern emphasis and proposals that connect academic research with community knowledge and practice.
Topics may include, but are not limited to:
- Septima P. Clark’s Life, Work, and Legacy
- Black Education, Educators, and Educational Institutions
- Literacy, Citizenship, and Political Education
- Civil Rights and Black Freedom Movements
- Community Organizing and Grassroots Activism
- Freedom Schools, Citizenship Schools, and Organizing Schools
- Gullah Geechee History, Culture, and Education
- Community Archives, Black Memory Work, and Oral History
- Black Pedagogies, Epistemologies, and Decolonizing Curricula
- Archives, Activism, Access, and the Preservation of Black History
- Art, Literature, and Creative Practice as Tools for Education and Liberation
Proposal Information
Sessions will run for a total of 75 minutes with 60 minutes dedicated to the topic, followed by 15 minutes for questions and discussion for each presentation format. We welcome proposals that engage with the conference theme through scholarly research, community knowledge, creative practice, and collaborative learning. Proposals should identify one of three conference tracks: Septima P. Clark, Education, or Archives. Each submission must include an abstract of no more than 300 words outlining the proposed topic, approach, and session goals, along with a brief biography of no more than 250 words per presenter.
Presentation Formats
Group Panel Presentations
Group panel proposals should include 2–6 presenters who will collectively explore a shared topic, theme, or research question related to the conference. Panels may feature multiple perspectives, collaborative research, or discussions connecting scholarship and community practice. Each group should designate a primary contact responsible for submitting the proposal and coordinating with fellow presenters.
Individual Presentations
Individual presenters will be grouped with others exploring related topics at the discretion of the conference committee.
Workshops
Workshops should emphasize interactive learning, skill-building, or hands-on activities. We strongly encourage facilitators to have at least one additional individual to assist with workshop activities. If additional assistance is unavailable, please identify any anticipated volunteer support needs in your proposal.
Poster Presentations
Poster presentations provide an opportunity to share research, community projects, archival initiatives, or educational practices through visual displays. Presenters should be prepared to discuss their work and engage with attendees during designated poster sessions.
Additional Information
All presentations will take place in person in Charleston, South Carolina, June 8–10, 2027. Upon acceptance, presenters will receive a follow-up questionnaire to identify audiovisual (A/V), technology, accessibility, and other logistical needs to support their sessions.
Please use the link below to submit your proposal.
Deadlines
- Early Submission Deadline: December 20, 2026, at midnight ET
- Early Submission Notification: January 15, 2027
- Regular Submission Deadline: January 18, 2027, at midnight ET
- Regular Submission Notification: February 22, 2027
Lodging and Registration Information will be available in Spring 2027.
For questions, please contact DaNia Childress at [email protected]
Funding from the Andrew Mellon Foundation is supporting the conference.