Beyond Impact - 2025 Call for Content Ideas Logo

  • 2025 Overview

  • Welcome to Beyond Impact 2025, the largest strategy and learning space designed to strengthen the advocacy infrastructure for progressive movements working toward community-driven equity and policy. Our mission goes beyond envisioning change; we are committed to aligning organizational practices, visions, and resources to create sustainable platforms for Black, Brown, and allies' advocacy. 


    This year, Beyond Impact will take place from Wednesday, September 17- Friday, September 19, 2025, in Baltimore, MD. 

    In this moment, we are asking ourselves the hard questions- reevaluating the strategies and interrogating our hypothesis for what it takes to build a multi-racial democracy that centers liberation, equity, justice, and radical joy. We are coming together to ignite the power of collective action in the face of an attempted recoil to the injustices of old to ask ourselves, not “What now?” but “What’s next”? And what are we willing to do to achieve it?


    By Any Means Necessary: People, Power, and Possibilities is the theme of Beyond Impact 2025, reflecting the relentless commitment of Black and Brown communities and allies to hold the line and create possibilities in the face of our ever-changing realities. This convening is a call to action for movement leaders, organizers, and funders to connect and strategize on sustaining and scaling movement work. 


    Together, we will unlock new horizons and work towards a future where meaningful change has no limits. Baltimore, Maryland, will be our backdrop –a city shaped by resistance and resilience. Will you join us?

     

    • 2025 Call for Ideas Topics:  

    • We seek content ideas that align with our commitment to racial justice, inclusivity, and transformative change. We welcome proposals that explore a wide range of topics related to building a pro-Black future, such as:

      • Strengthening non-profit advocacy and policy impact: Delve into innovative approaches and impactful frameworks that can endure and strengthen grassroots movements to empower communities, build resilience, and amplify their voices. 
      • Evaluating election strategies and what the 2024 results mean for the movement: From wins to losses at all levels, we’ll explore what tactics worked and what tactics we thought would work but didn’t. Reflect on post-election insights and what we learned through the cycle.
      • Risk in the Trump Era: Evaluate the threats and opportunities under a second Trump presidency. Share strategies for protecting the work, protecting your organization, and going on the offensive via preparedness instead of a reactionary defense.
      • Co-governing strategies toward radical change: Imagine a world where communities have a say in decisions directly impacting their lives. Dive into co-governing strategies that challenge traditional power dynamics, foster collaboration, and pave the way for radical, inclusive change. 
      • Setting up new and expanded advocacy strategies: From launching a voter engagement initiative or advocating for policy reform, explore the steps and strategies through peer learning to create and broaden impactful programs. 
      • Multi-entity support for resources for BIPOC-led organizations: Amplifying the voices and resources of BIPOC-led organizations is crucial to drive meaningful change and shape our future.
    • 2025 Submission Guidelines: 

    • To submit your content ideas for consideration, please adhere to the following guidelines:

      • Content Format: We welcome a variety of formats, including panel discussions, strategy sessions, workshops, meetups, and creative presentations.
      • Content Relevance: Content should align with the conference theme and demonstrate a commitment to racial justice and a pro-Black future.
      • Diversity and Inclusion: We encourage diverse perspectives, representation, and inclusivity in content proposals.
      • Speaker Information: Include brief bios and affiliations of all proposed speakers or presenters.
      • Submission Deadline: Friday, May 9, 2025, is the deadline for complete content idea submissions. 
    • Beyond Impact 2025 Session Formats: 

    • Presentation Style: Tactical, Practical, and Theoretical

      • Interactive Skillshare Session: Skill shares provide a practical way to educate others about the techniques and tools that have helped you in your work. It is essential to use this opportunity to share your best practices while ensuring stakeholders understand how to apply these skills to enhance their work.
      • Meetups: Are you seeking a supportive space to connect with others who share your experiences and challenges? Consider creating an informal healing space where stakeholders can unite across identity groups to ideate and join. 
      • Panel Discussion: Here's a chance to engage in a lively conversation with your coworkers and enlighten stakeholders with your expertise. You may showcase cutting-edge developments in your field or share intriguing projects. Participants should leave the discussion with a comprehensive grasp of how their knowledge can be utilized in their work and tackle the obstacles confronting democracy in the next few years.
      • Strategy Session: A strategy session is an opportunity for stakeholders to work together and develop an action plan for a particular aspect or issue affecting our democracy. These sessions are guided discussions, and attendees should come away with a concrete understanding of encouraging their organizations to make a difference for the better.
    • Proposal Review and Selection Process: 

    • Our conference planning committee will review all submitted content ideas. Proposals will be evaluated based on relevance to the conference theme, alignment with Tides Advocacy's values, and potential for impact.

      Selected content notifications will be confirmed via email by Tuesday, May 27, 2025. 

      We look forward to receiving your innovative content ideas and collectively creating a dynamic, strategic, and transformative conference experience centered on building a pro-Black future.

      Please get in touch with bi@aspecialgathering.com for any inquiries or additional information.

      We are grateful for your dedication to advancing a multi-racial, feminist, and reflective democracy.

    • Share Your Session Content Idea Profile: 

    • Thank You!

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