Community Research for Liberation National Convening

June 11-12, 2026 ~ Minneapolis, MN

Across the nation, community members use research to tell their stories and ignite change. But community research efforts are often overshadowed or displaced by institutional research processes that are frequently inaccessible, extractive, or disconnected from the people most impacted by injustice.

On June 11-12, 2026, Research in Action (RIA) and the Equity in Action Way (EAW) Foundation will host the inaugural Community Research for Liberation National Convening in Minneapolis, Minnesota to highlight applied research rooted in healing, accountability, shared meaning-making, and racial justice.

On June 12, we’ll also celebrate with the first inaugural Equity in Action Way Gala, recognizing organizations that are leading transformative change and resourcing our work to advance community-led research.

Learn more below and mark your calendars. Registration will open in April 2026!

2026 Theme: Black Women, Girls and Femme Leadership, Experiences and Healing

This year, the proceedings will include the public release of the Justice in Institutions for Black Women, Girls, and Femmes survey findings — the first statewide survey in the nation to examine how Black women, girls, and femmes across different geographies experience institutions like healthcare, housing, criminal justice, and education.

It will also explore how RIA and partners are working with response participants to help calculate a score for each institution, revealing levels of trust, stress, and support Black women, girls, and femmes experience within different institutions. These scores will become a part of a statewide tool that highlights where institutions are doing well — and where change is urgently needed — to better serve Black women, girls, and femmes. We are partnering with county leaders to pilot how they  can use the tool to improve programs and services.

Who should attend?

  • For this year's theme, we are especially invested in ensuring a critical mass of Black women, girls, and femmes across generations and sectors have an opportunity for connection, validation, and support as they share their work and seek to broaden their impact.

  • We aim to gather a mix of people who understand that lived experiences are essential to shaping justice, but may not have access to a wide range of tools or examples to turn their understanding into effective action. Youth and adults, organizers, students, parents, caregivers, artists, healers, and educators will all find a place here.

  • We encourage attendance from nonprofit leaders and front-line staffers, philanthropic partners, public-sector practitioners, and academics whose work is connected to the wellbeing of Black women, girls, and femmes, and are seeking guidance on actionable steps they can take to influence their respective sectors.

What you’ll gain

The convening will honor community wisdom, connect local and regional struggles, and model research as a practice of justice and healing. We will host a space that:

  • Elevates powerful examples of community-driven and participatory action research that have advanced policy change, resource redistribution, or narrative shift.

  • Provides tools and training in liberatory research design, healing-centered engagement, and accountable partnerships across community and institutional settings.

  • Creates space for learning, connection, and co-creation across sectors and geographies, with impacted community members at the center.

  • Inspires attendees to move from theory to action by highlighting community-based practices already working in the Twin Cities and similar cities across the nation.

Convening Agenda

Thursday, June 11, 2026

EVENING: Sacred space for Black women, girls and femmes, including a welcome dinner and healing event

Friday, June 12, 2026

DAY: National Convening for participants of all backgroudns to come together to discuss moving research to action

EVENING: Equity in Action Impact Awards Gala for all participants (separate ticket required)

JOIN US!

BECOME A SPONSOR

Download our sponsorship invitation and play a key role in making the event possible!

KEY DATES:

February 2026: Call for presentation and workshop submissions

April 2026: Early bird registration

May 2026: Regular registration

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VOLUNTEER:

Fill out our interest form to volunteer at the event!

The 2026 convening is just the start of a longer journey.

Over time, we hope the convening will strengthen the field of community-based action research in our region. It will foster deeper trust and accountability among researchers, institutions, and communities. It will expand opportunities for participants to learn together, share lived experience, and hold one another accountable. It will also build cultural foundations for resilience, ensuring that research supports, rather than harms, communities.