SECOND ANNUAL BLACK CHILD AND YOUTH WELLBEING CONFERENCE
May 7th-8th, 2026
University of Calgary Downtown Campus 906 8 Ave SW, Calgary, AB, T2P 1H9
SPEAKERS: COMING SOON
KEYNOTE SPEAKER
KEYNOTE SPEAKER
BACKGROUND
Black children and youth in Canada experience poor physical and mental health. This encompasses poor social outcomes, engagement with the child welfare and criminal justice systems, and poverty. Anti-Black racism contributes to these outcomes. A landmark United Nations report identified the impact of anti-Black racism on Black communities and recommended participatory approaches with communities to address their needs. The goal of our project is to build the capacity of trainees, engage Black communities, and mobilize knowledge towards fruitful actions to improve the health and well-being of Black children and youth in Canada. Together with policy stakeholders, our conference event will work collaboratively to mobilize research evidence to communities. The project has recently completed a significant step of collecting survey data from over 2000 Black youth and 2000 parents of Black children. During the conference, all state-holders will be involved in co-developing an implementation and knowledge mobilization plan to advance the outcomes of Black children and youth in Canada. On the last day of our conference, we will integrate a reflection panel on knowledge dissemination.
ABOUT THE CONFERENCE
Conference Theme: Transforming the Lives of Black Children and Youth in Canada: From Data to Action
The 2026 Black Child and Youth Wellness Conference is the second annual event of its kind, organized by the Black and Racial Equity (BARE) Research Program as part of the Transforming the Lives of Black Children and Youth project. The conference theme is, Transforming the Lives of Black Children and Youth in Canada: From Data to Action. The event will bring together and engage trainees, youth, parents, members of Black communities, policy makers, an interdisciplinary group of researchers, and other key stakeholders, to collectively improve the health and well-being of Black youth in Canada. The conference is designed to facilitate meaningful discussions, collaboration, and knowledge exchange on critical issues affecting Black children and youth in Canada.
Conference Aims:
- To engage Black communities, trainees, youth, parents, researchers, and other key stakeholders to collectively improve the health and well-being of Black youth in Canada.
- To facilitate meaningful discussions, collaboration, and knowledge exchange on critical issues affecting Black children and youth in Canada.
- To use survey data to develop an implementation and knowledge mobilization plan to advance the outcomes of Black children and youth in Canada.
Contributions:
Submissions should highlight innovative approaches and practical solutions towards advancing the health and well-being of Black children and youth in Canada and include:
- Research papers
- Posters
- Other creative presentations.
Conference Format:
Participants will attend in-person
Conference Location:
University of Calgary Downtown Campus
906 8 Avenue SW, Calgary, AB, T2P 1H9
Conference Themes:
Abstracts should address any of the conference themes focused on the experiences and outcomes of Black children and youth in Canada:
- Criminal Justice System
- Child Welfare System
- Educational experiences and outcomes
- Economic Outcomes
- Migration and Settlement
- Child and Youth Health
- Black Child and Youth Mental Health
Participants:
Tackling the multifaceted challenges facing Black children and youth requires national interdisciplinary and intersectoral partners. The conference encourages the presence and contribution of individuals across various disciplines and sectors.
- Faculty members
- Policymakers
- Black communities and community organizations
- Students/trainees and early career researchers
- Parents and youth
- Academics and other stakeholders.
The second annual Black Scholar Summer Institute focusing on the wellbeing of Black children and youth is also being held for early career researchers and graduate students on May 4-6, 2026, at the University of Calgary Downtown campus. See the link below for details on the Summer Institute.
Accommodation: Sandman Signature Calgary Downtown Hotel
Early Bird Registration Now EXTENDED
Registration Fee Schedule (GST Included)
Early Bird: January 16 – April 15, 2026
2 Day Conference —$204.75
1 Day — $152.25
Student — $52.50
Regular Registration: April 16 – April 30, 2026
2 Days —$257.25
1 Day — $204.75
Student — $78.75
Late Registration – May 1 – 6, 2026
2 Days— $262.50
1 Day— $210
Student— $105
Cancellation & Refund Policy
If you need to cancel your registration, follow the steps below:
- Log back in to the registration link using your email and the confirmation number provided after registration
- Cancel your registration
- A cancellation amount indicated in the cancellation schedule below will be refunded automatically to the credit card used to register
Cancellation refund will be applied to conference registration fee (GST included). For all refunds, a $50 administration fee will be deducted.
Notice of cancellation received Refund
By April 15 (11:59 p.m. MST) 100%
Between April 16 and April 30 (11:59 p.m. MST) 50%
On or after May 1 No refund
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