The Real Talk Conference: Stories of the Past, Visions for the Future
Submit conference proposal
Submission deadline January 11, 2026, by 11:59 p.m. CST.
Proposal Submission Information
Proposal Session Themes
Conference proposal session themes must address at least one of the Truth, Racial Healing and Transformation Pillars:
Narrative Change
False narratives hamper our ability to understand our world and relationships as they are leading us to create and reinforce perceptions that are untrue. A more complete story needs to be presented in school curricula, news media, movies, television, radio, digital media, gaming platforms, cultural institutions, and in the personal histories told within families. This process influences our perspectives, perceptions, behaviors and interactions with one another so that we can more effectively create change.
Racial Healing and Relationship Building
Focusing on ways for all of us to heal from the wounds of the past, to build mutually respectful relationships across racial and ethnic lines that honor and value each person's humanity, and to build trust in intergenerational and diverse community relationships that better reflect our common humanity.
Separation
Examining and finding ways to address segregation, colonization and concentrated poverty in neighborhoods to ultimately ensure equitable access to health, education and jobs.
Law
Reviewing discriminatory civil and criminal laws and the public policies that come from them and recommending solutions that will produce a just application of the law.
Economy
Studying structured inequality and barriers to economic opportunities and recommending approaches that can create an equitable society.
Conference Learning Outcomes
Before submitting the conference proposal, please review The Real Talk Conference learning outcomes outlined below and apply them to your proposal based on the targeted audience.
Enhanced Cross-Cultural Understanding and Interpersonal Connection
Participants will:
- develop a deeper understanding of diverse perspectives, fostering empathy and appreciation for different cultures.
- learn effective communication strategies, facilitating more meaningful and respectful interactions across cultural boundaries.
- engage in changing false narratives around racial hierarchies through active dialogues and listening sessions.
- connect with others through the establishment of supportive communities committed to embracing shared humanity.
- gain practical skills to navigate and resolve cultural conflicts, promoting harmony and cooperation.
- be motivated to embrace their own humanity and inspire others to do the same.
Promotion of Intersectionality and Racial Equity
Participants will:
- understand the “prism” of individual and communal identities at their social, historical, and political intersections to broaden their equity-based lens towards justice.
- learn and examine ways systemic barriers cause inequitable access, perpetuate segregation, colonization, and poverty.
Empowered Agents of Change
Participants will:
- learn and engage in the pillars of NIU’s Truth, Racial Healing and Transformation Center as a launch for continued transformation within the NIU and local community.
- gain the tools and motivation to advocate for positive social change in their communities, promoting unity and understanding.
Creating Lasting Impact and Future Transformation
Participants will:
- be encouraged to develop actionable plans and initiatives that promote ongoing dialogue and understanding in participants' respective spheres of influence.
- develop strategies and tools to address systemic inequities in their daily lives.
- be inspired to take the lessons learned from the conference into their daily lives, creating a ripple effect of positive change in their communities.
Proposal Submission Requirements
A submission form with necessary attachments must be completed no later than January 11, 2026, by 11:59 p.m. CST.
We encourage you to have all the materials prepared before starting the submission.
- Presenter(s) contact information
- Type of workshop (Interactive Workshop/Presentation; Research or Creative Scholarship Session; Faculty and Teaching Pedagogy; Performance, Art, or Artist Expression). Please note each session is 60 min.
- Target Audience (Undergraduate students; Graduate/Law students; Higher Education Staff/Administrators; Faculty; Community Agencies; K-12 Educators and Administrators)
- TRHT Pillars (Narrative Change; Racial Healing and Relationship Building; Separation; Law; Economy)
- Proposal Details:
- Presentation Title (15-word maximum)
- Abstract (75-word maximum)
- Three to five (3-5) learning objectives (or intended outcomes) for conference participants based on the conference learning outcomes.
- A proposal description (300 words-750 words) should include the following information in conjunction with the provided rubric.
- Purpose of presentation. Be sure to draw connections to the conference pillars and targeted audience.
- Philosophical, theoretical, conceptual, or practical arguments related to the stated purpose of presentation.
- Review literature relevant to the topic, issue or problem within the field of education.
- References should be listed separately.
- If appropriate, methodological underpinnings and findings (i.e., preliminary, partial, or full). Note: Tables, figures, images, and/or appendices can be attached separately.
- Method(s) for engaging attendees (e.g., small-group discussion, case study analysis, written reflection, etc.).
- Outline how time will be allocated to various activities (e.g., Introduction = 5 min.; Literature Review = 10 min.; findings = 20 min.; discussion = 20 min.; closing = 5 min.). Each session is one hour.
- List of references cited in the proposal description relevant to the topic, issue, or problem within the presentation topic. The references should follow APA or MLA Style. After the references are listed, you can add additional information, including tables, figures, images, and/or appendices. Include 3-5 keywords that help describe the main topic of your research.