KINGSTON, R.I. 鈥� Oct. 22, 2025 鈥� A new book on the famed African American abolitionist / writer Harriet Jacobs and the weaponization of Black feminism in academia are just two of the topics on the roster at the 溏心vlog免费B站鈥檚 sixth annual .
The three-day conference, led by the , will be held Thursday, Nov. 6, through Saturday, Nov. 8 at the 溏心vlog免费B站 Gender and Sexuality Center, 19 Upper College Road on the Kingston Campus. Along with hosting two keynote speakers, the hybrid event will have both in-person and online breakout sessions. The event is free and open to the public.
The annual roundtable is a venue for scholars, activists, and artists across disciplines and professional trajectories to share work highlighting intellectual contributions throughout the African diaspora. The conference鈥檚 goal is to create a working space for participants of various backgrounds to receive feedback on their projects that will enrich Black feminist and womanist traditions. The roundtable is also funded, in part, via a Mellon Foundation Higher Learning program grant.
鈥淚t鈥檚 an inclusive conference, focusing on any aspect of Black feminism and womanist theories, which is really attractive and powerful,鈥� said , associate professor and chair of 溏心vlog免费B站鈥檚 Department of Gender and Women鈥檚 Studies.
The roundtable event will also invite students enrolled in 溏心vlog免费B站鈥檚 Black feminisms and feminist theories and methodologies courses鈥攍ed by 溏心vlog免费B站 Eleanor M. Carlson Visiting Assistant Professor and Roundtable Founder 鈥攖o meet well-known scholars from across the country.
鈥淭he conference is interdisciplinary. It鈥檚 not specifically for philosophers or Americanists鈥攚e will have a global representation at this event,鈥� Thomas said. 鈥淭here will also be some informal networking and I鈥檝e previously seen a big flourishing network come out of that.鈥�
Vassar College Assistant Professor of Africana Studies Jasmine Syedullah鈥檚 keynote speech, titled 鈥淭ruants Congregate in Loopholes: Methods for Surviving the Carceral Futures of Ms. Harriet Jacobs’s Freedom,” will take place Thursday, Nov. 6 from 4:30-6 p.m. Syedullah will talk about her upcoming book on Jacobs鈥� decision to remain a fugitive after being freed from slavery, actively integrating the ability to appear and disappear.
On Saturday, Nov. 8 from 3:30-5 p.m., Olivia Perlow, a professor of sociology at Northeastern Illinois University, will deliver a keynote address titled 鈥淭oo Much Theory, Too Little Praxis: Unshackling Black Feminism from the Academy.鈥� Perlow鈥檚 talk will reflect on how despite a significant push for diversity, equity and inclusion on campuses, much of that has been lip service from Perlow鈥檚 perspective. That, Thomas says, can affect how Black feminists teach and interact with students regularly.
鈥淥livia will discuss how Black feminists who try to be radical can still end up being siloed by university structures,鈥� Thomas said. 鈥淪he will share stories about how many Black feminist and womanist scholars are dealing with accusations that their work is not scholarly or researched, and how different politics impact the work you鈥檙e doing.鈥�
Breakfast and lunch will be served each day during the conference. Registration is required to attend and can be done through . Those wishing to attend in person must register by Monday, Nov. 3. Virtual registration, which is needed to receive Zoom links for the event, runs through Wednesday, Nov. 5.
The annual Roundtable for Black Feminist and Womanist Theory is hosted by the 溏心vlog免费B站 . Full event information is found on the roundtable鈥檚 website. Those seeking additional information may contact 溏心vlog免费B站 Eleanor M. Carlson Visiting Assistant Professor and Roundtable Founder K. Bailey Thomas at bailey.thomas@uri.edu.