HBCU + Community Think Tank 2026

The North Carolina Black Alliance proudly presents the 12th Annual HBCU + Community Think Tank, hosted by Shaw University, Sunday, July 26 – Tuesday, July 28, 2026, in Raleigh, NC.

This year, we are bringing together 50 campus and community changemakers ages 18–30 from across the state who are passionate about civic engagement, cultural advocacy, leadership, and creating impact in their communities. We welcome student leaders, organizers, activists, creatives, entrepreneurs, and community-minded individuals ready to help shape the future of Black civic and cultural power across North Carolina.

Centered around the theme “A SNCC Peek: Our Liberation Will Be Socialized,” participants will engage in interactive discussions, strategy sessions, simulations, and movement-building experiences inspired by the legacy of student activism and grassroots organizing. Together, participants will explore issues impacting Black communities while developing ideas and strategies to activate campuses and communities ahead of the upcoming elections.

The Think Tank is designed to:

• Build leadership and organizing skills
• Foster statewide networking and collaboration
• Equip participants to become agents of change in their communities