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Advancing and Advocating for Social Justice & Equity


NAME 2025 Conference:  Nov. 19 – 23

New Orleans

Conference Theme: 
NARRATE: Our Stories Matter

The Transformative Power of Storytelling


The National Association for Multicultural Education invites educators, researchers, activists, and community leaders to submit proposals for the 2025 Annual Conference, themed NARRATE: Our Stories Matter. This year’s theme launches the first action agenda within NAME’s four-year strategic plan to Amplify Our NAME, emphasizing the transformative power of storytelling as both a theoretical framework and a practical tool for advancing multicultural education. 
 
New Orleans, Louisiana, serves as the perfect setting for this year’s conference. Known for its deep-rooted storytelling traditions expressed through music, cuisine, literature, and art, the city offers a powerful connection to the conference’s theme. Beyond its cultural vibrancy, New Orleans holds special significance for NAME as the home of our founder, Dr. Rose Duhon-Sells. A trailblazer in multicultural education, Dr. Duhon-Sells dedicated her life to advancing equity, justice, and representation in education. Her vision laid the foundation for NAME’s mission, and her work continues to inspire educators and advocates around the globe.  By gathering in this historic city, we honor her legacy and the rich tapestry of narratives that reflect New Orleans’ diverse communities. From the resilience of its people to the celebration of cultural identities, New Orleans embodies the essence of storytelling as a means of empowerment, belonging, and social change. 
 
Stories shape our understanding of the world, connecting personal experiences to broader cultural and systemic realities. Storytelling as a theoretical lens highlights the centrality of narratives in unpacking identity, power, and resistance. Counter-storytelling amplifies marginalized voices, challenging dominant narratives and offering alternative perspectives that foster equity and justice (Solórzano & Yosso, 2002). As Bruner (1991) reminds us, narratives are fundamental to meaning-making, providing a pathway for cultural awareness and critical reflection.
 
In practice, storytelling empowers participants to share and affirm their experiences while engaging with the rich diversity of others. Whether through personal narratives, oral histories, creative arts, or digital media, storytelling connects learners to their cultural identities and builds bridges of empathy and understanding. Banks (2016) and Gay (2018) highlight how storytelling enriches curricula, making abstract concepts tangible and relevant. Similarly, Bell (2010) demonstrates how storytelling can inspire advocacy and collective action, offering powerful tools for addressing societal issues in educational and community settings.
 
The outcomes of storytelling extend far beyond the classroom. It validates identities, fosters belonging, and builds community. As hooks (1994) so eloquently states, storytelling creates spaces for dialogue and empowerment. Ladson-Billings (1995) further emphasizes how culturally relevant storytelling practices can transform education, making more opportunities for all, not just some.

The NAME 2025 Annual Conference seeks proposals that explore storytelling as both theory and practice, with a focus on the following: 
- Using counter-narratives to challenge inequities and affirm identities 
- Innovative storytelling practices in classrooms and communities 
- Outcomes of storytelling in promoting empowerment, belonging, and advocacy 
- Intersections of storytelling with technology, the arts, and media 
- Storytelling as a tool for fostering critical consciousness and social change 

 
Let us come together in New Orleans to share stories that matter, honor our histories, and co-create narratives that shape a more equitable future. We encourage submissions from educators, researchers, practitioners, students, and activists who are using storytelling to create transformative learning spaces. Together, we will gather in the vibrant city of New Orleans to share stories that ignite action, celebrate our collective histories, and shape the narratives of tomorrow.
 
Proposal Timeline
- Proposals Open: January 13, 2025 
- Proposals Close (no extensions): April 30, 2025 
- Notification of Proposal Status: May 31, 2025 
- Presenters’ Schedule (Registration Required): September 1, 2025 
 
Please Note: breakout sessions will be scheduled for Thursday (11-20) thru Saturday (11-22) from 10:30am to 3pm. Please plan accordingly. Due to the number of anticipated submissions, we will not be able to accommodate change requests for the conference.

The Call for Proposals for the NAME 2025 Conference will be open from January 13 and remain open  through April 30, 2025 11:59pm EST.







IMPORTANT DATES:

Proposal Timeline

• Proposals Open: 1/13

• Proposals Close : 4/30 

• Notification of Proposal Status: 5/31 

• Presenters’ Registration Deadline: 9/1


Click for Proposal Submission LINK & Info