Relationship building is one of the greatest tools we have in the face of rising hatred. In an increasingly complex and polarized world, this means finding common ground and seeing the humanity in those with whom we may not always agree. But it also means drawing closer with our communities, forging new connections, and aligning with those who share a similar vision for the world.
As part of our strategy to partner with more schools and districts, Facing History & Ourselves is prioritizing opportunities to connect with district administrators and other educational leaders as we reflect, learn, and explore history together. Across three trips in three locations—Atlanta in November 2025, New Orleans in January 2026, and Morocco in April 2026—attendees will have the chance to immerse themselves in learning through memorable in-person experiences.
2025 Facing History & Ourselves Leadership Summit
If you're a school or district leader who wants to help your educational community thrive, our Leadership Summit is the perfect way to engage with your peers and discover leadership lessons in a city that was at the heart of the civil rights movement.
From November 7-8, we’ll gather in Atlanta, GA with school, district, and thought leaders to explore ways to move beyond polarization and center student learning and achievement. We'll spend the first day together at the Carter Center, learning how the city of Atlanta has harnessed its civil rights legacy to evolve into a global city with help from former mayor Shirley Franklin and historian Maurice Hobson. Breakout sessions will center local movements and Facing History & Ourselves case studies on US history, fostering civil discourse, contemporary antisemitism, and building bridges across difference, providing a foundation of learning for the rest of the summit.
On Day Two we’ll head to the historic campus of Emory University for a panel discussion featuring district-level leaders who will offer insights into the state of education in their communities as well as opportunities for our district partnership model. We’ll move on to breakout sessions showcasing our organizational impact in schools and classrooms before a powerful keynote address from Heather McGhee, critically-acclaimed author of The Sum of Us: What Racism Costs Everyone and How We Can Prosper Together.
It’s then time to explore the city as attendees can choose to visit important local sites from a list including the National Center for Civil and Human Rights, the William Breman Jewish Heritage Museum, Martin Luther King Jr. National Historical Park, or the APEX Museum.
I look forward to spending time with one another, deepening relationships, and making new connections with educational leaders as we work to build a brighter future. The registration deadline is October 8th, so be sure to reserve your place soon!
Between History & Memory - Legacies of the Struggle for Civil Rights
Over Martin Luther King Jr. Day Weekend (January 15-18, 2026), we'll explore the legacy and future of civil rights in The Big Easy using our time-tested Facing History & Ourselves approach. As one of America's most unique and culturally-rich cities, New Orleans is full of significant history as well as modern efforts to continue the struggle for equality—not to mention some of the best food and music you can find on either side of the Mississippi.
History truly comes alive in the Crescent City, a location tied to important events in American history ranging from the Louisiana Purchase and the War of 1812 to the New Orleans Riot of 1866 and Hurricane Katrina in 2005. In addition to touring the city with civil rights and Reconstruction era scholars, we'll dive into the history of the Plessy v. Ferguson case with the Plessy & Ferguson Initiative—a nonprofit founded by the grandchildren of the plaintiff and defendant in the case that enshrined the "separate but equal" doctrine and would legitimize Jim Crow legislation for 58 years until it was overturned in Brown v. Board of Education.
Leaders will discover how the history of New Orleans has shaped local and national education practices and policies while learning how you can apply these lessons to develop inclusive and equitable learning environments in your own schools. By studying vital history in the places where it actually happened, we can more productively engage with its legacies in our society today.
After this one-of-a-kind immersive learning experience, you’ll head home full of insights, tasty Creole food, and new connections with both Facing History & Ourselves and other peers in your space. Register by December 1st and we can’t wait to see you there!
The Holocaust and Jewish Communities in Wartime North Africa
I’m especially excited for this learning journey from April 21-28, 2026, as we explore an overlooked side of Holocaust history together in Morocco. As anti-Jewish laws were passed in Europe, how were they reflected in North African colonial territories that were the sites of major battles during WW2? This question is especially pertinent in Morocco, which had a large and assimilated Jewish population even before the Jews were expelled from formerly Moorish Spain in 1492.
This transformative experience will expand your perspective, offer the opportunity to engage firsthand with local histories and scholars, and increase your understanding of Facing History & Ourselves' role in highlighting emerging scholarship to share multifaceted and human-centered stories with the world. Not to mention all the beautiful sights, rich local culture, and delicious cuisine.
Among other excursions, attendees will tour the Nahon Synagogue and the American Legation Museum in Tangier, visit a tannery in Fez, and explore the ancient port city of Casablanca. We'll also have the opportunity to dine with Moroccan families, discovering the complex identities and communities of Muslim North Africa and complicating outdated narratives about the possibility of regional coexistence and cultural affinity.
This trip is in high demand, so be sure to register by October 1st to join us on this impactful and illuminating journey.
We’re so thrilled to offer these opportunities to educational leaders—and on a personal note, I’m eagerly anticipating getting to travel and learn alongside you. Now more than ever, it is absolutely crucial to expand our intellectual horizons and form organizational bonds with those who share our vision for a thoughtful and empathetic world free from racism, antisemitism, and other forms of bigotry and hate.
About the Author: Desmond K. Blackburn, PhD is President and Chief Executive Officer at Facing History & Ourselves, a national nonprofit organization that works with school systems to use lessons of history to challenge teachers and their students to stand up to bigotry and hate. He has spent nearly 30 years as a career educator (teacher, principal, superintendent, adjunct professor, author). To find out how Dr. Blackburn and the Facing History & Ourselves team can support you, contact us today.
