Navigating Change and Creating Success on Our Terms: AABHE 2026 Conference Inspires Strength, Innovation, and Community
- VirtueToday Magazine
- 1 day ago
- 3 min read
(Baltimore, MD)In a time that calls for both clarity and courage, educators, deans, and faculty members from across the nation converged on Baltimore for the American Association of Blacks in Higher Education’s 2026 conference with the theme, “Pathways to Success in Higher Education: Navigating Change under the leadership of Dr. Shewanee Howard-Baptiste and Dr. Carlitta Moore. This conference was an uplifting experience rooted in academic excellence and service. You could feel the energy of the unshakable spirit of a people determined to press forward.
From the opening sessions to the closing reflections, the conference carried a tone of urgency balanced with hope. Workshops explored the evolving landscape of higher education—ranging from data and research, to the thoughtful use of language, and even the integration of music within courses to deepen engagement and cultural awareness. Each session reminded attendees that education is not static; it is a living, breathing force that must meet the needs of the moment while honoring the legacy that brought us here.
One of the undeniable highlights was a powerful conversation led by Dr. Carlitta Moore and Dr. Dereck Rovaris, Sr., who guided a dynamic interview with Gov. Wes Moore and Brandon Scott, the youngest mayor of Baltimore in 100 years. It was, by every measure, a phenomenal exchange of intellect and power—two of the nation’s most influential leaders sharing one stage, not only as policymakers but as men deeply connected to the communities they serve.
When asked how he remains encouraged, Governor Moore offered a response that was a reminder of the power we have. He said, “Don’t let someone take away from you what they never gave you in the first place. They can’t take away my joy, they can’t take away my power, they can’t take away my knowledge.” His words were not just a statement—they were a reminder of ownership, of internal grounding, and of the discipline required to guard one’s spirit.
Mayor Scott echoed that forward-moving energy with clarity and conviction: “We have to push forward and show what intention looks like.” And when the conversation turned toward optimism, he spoke plainly: “Our people… they can’t break us.” It was not said as a slogan, but as a truth forged through history and lived experience.
In a moment that brought both reflection and perspective, Gov. Moore added a grounding thought that resonated deeply across the room: “I’m in the same state as Harriet Tubman, Frederick Douglass. Imagine me explaining to Harriet Tubman I had a rough day.” In that single line, the weight of legacy met the responsibility of the present. It was a call to remember—not to diminish our challenges, but to measure them against the strength of those who came before.
The conference closed with keynote by Dr. Belle Wheelan, President of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC). Dr. Wheelan was given AABHE’s Lifetime Achievement Award.
Indeed, this was more than a conference. It was a reaffirmation and a reminder that we have the power to create a space for our community where intellect meets purpose and intention. This conference was marked not only by excellence in programming, but by the spirit of a people who continue, despite all, to rise, to build, and to believe.
If you would like an uplifting experience, please join AABHE for the 2027 conference in Atlanta, Georgia, in the spring of 2027!
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(For more uplifting articles, subscribe to virtuetodaymag.com. and MOCA (Mothers of Civilization Assembly. Dr. Audrey Muhammad is the Editor in Chief at Virtue Today Magazine, one of the top women's inspirational magazines in publication for the past 20 years.)
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