The Umoja XXI Conference is coming to San Jose, CA
November 6–8, 2025!
We are thrilled to announce that the Umoja XXI Conference, our largest gathering to date, will take place at the San Jose McEnery Convention Center. Serving more than 16,000 students across 80+ Umoja programs in California and Washington, the Umoja Community Education Foundation continues to lead the way in equity-focused education, intergenerational leadership development, and institutional change.
Building on last year’s momentum, this year’s theme, “Voices of the Future II: Elevating Student Leadership & Agency,” centers on the brilliance, voice, and leadership of our students, and reflects our shared commitment to culturally grounded, student-driven transformation. In partnership with Black Students United of California, Umoja XXI will bring together student scholars in college and K-12, faculty, campus coordinators, administrators, and community leaders for an unforgettable multi-day experience.
This year’s conference will also host the Inaugural UmojaCon!
The inaugural UmojaCon is a pioneering half-day comic book and creative arts convention that celebrates and uplifts Umoja Scholars, faculty, staff, and K–12 youth. Merging Afrofuturism with Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Mathematics (STEAM), UmojaCon spotlights Black and other creators, visionaries, and innovators at the intersection of speculative fiction, futuristic storytelling, and cutting-edge technology. Join us for this powerful and joyful new space that honors creativity as a tool of resistance, reflection, and connection.
REGISTER for the Umoja XXI Conference
(If you are paying by invoice, please be sure to use the discount code "paybyinvoice" at checkout. For any questions related to payments or invoicing, please contact accounting@umojacommunity.org)
• Umoja Conference Registration
Conference Hotel Room Blocks (reserve your room: October 15, 2025, at 5 PM)
San Jose Marriott, 301 South Market Street, San Jose, CA 95113, US
Hilton San Jose, 300 Almaden Boulevard, San Jose, CA 95110
Partner with us for a great conference!
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Call for Proposals – Be a presenter! : 2025 Umoja XXI Annual Conference Call For Proposals
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Be a College & Career Fair Vendor
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Become a Conference Sponsor
Important Dates & Deadlines
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September 5, 2025 – Call for Proposals Submission Deadline
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October 15, 2025, at 5 PM – Last day to reserve hotel rooms
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October 15, 2025, at 5 PM – Last day to register for the conference
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October 24, 2025, at 5 PM – Last day to pay for registration by invoice
XXI Annual Umoja Conference
November 6-8 | UmojaCommunity.org/events
Posted August 27th, 2025
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Wednesday, November 5th, 2025 |
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Start Time |
End Time |
Activity |
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1:00 PM |
3:00 PM |
Pre Conference Summit
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7:00 PM |
9:00 PM |
VIP Reception/Partner & Sponsor Appreciation
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Thursday, November 6th, 2025 |
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8:00 AM |
3:00PM |
Registration Opens
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8:30 AM |
9:45 AM |
Breakfast, Networking, and Community Building
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10:00 AM |
10:35 AM |
Opening Ceremony
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10:35 AM |
10:40 AM |
Welcome and Remarks
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10:40 AM |
11:50 AM |
Special Keynote
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11:50 AM |
12: 00 PM |
Elevating Student Voices of the Future
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12:00 PM |
12:15 PM |
Transitions Time
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12:15 PM |
1:05 PM |
Breakout Sessions in the following
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1:05 PM |
2:30 PM |
Lunch, Market Place, Student Org Display
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2:30 PM |
3:30 PM |
UmojaCon Feature Panel General Session
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3:30 PM |
3:45 PM |
Transition Time
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3:45 PM |
4:35 PM |
Breakout Sessions in the following
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4:35 PM |
4:50 PM |
Transition Time |
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4:50 PM |
5:15 PM |
Day 1 Closing
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5:15 PM |
5:30 PM |
DJ Closeout
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Dinner on your own
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7:00 PM |
9:00 PM |
UmojaCon Block Party
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Friday, November 7th, 2025 |
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8:00 AM |
2:00pm |
Registration Opens
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8:00 AM |
9:00 AM |
Breakfast
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9:00 AM |
9:30 AM |
Morning Wake-Up! |
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9:30 AM |
10:25 AM |
HBCU Presidents’ Panel
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10:25 AM |
10:55 AM |
Networking and Game Time
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10:55 AM |
11:40 AM |
International Student Fellowship Panel
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11:40 AM |
12:00 PM |
Community Building and Communal Intelligence
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12:00 PM |
1:30 PM |
Lunch |
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1:30 PM |
2:00 PM |
CEO’s Conference Charge
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2:00 PM |
2:30 PM |
Black Student Pride
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2:30 PM |
2:40 PM |
Transition Time
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2:45 PM |
3:35 PM |
Breakout Sessions in the following
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3:35 PM |
3:50 PM |
Transition Time
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3:50 PM |
4:40 PM |
Breakout Sessions in the following
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5:00 PM |
6:30 PM |
College Fair
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5:00 PM |
6:30 PM |
Career Fair
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Dinner on your own
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7:30 |
9:30 |
Nightly Edutainment
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Saturday, November 8th, 2025 |
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8:00 AM |
9:00 AM |
Breakfast and Networking
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9:00 AM |
9:35 AM |
Morning Wakeup Call
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9:40 AM |
10:50 AM |
Special Keynote
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10:50 AM |
11:20 AM |
Umoja Community Awards
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11:20 AM |
11:50 AM |
Closing Ceremony |
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11:50 |
12:00 PM |
Closing Remarks
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12:30 PM |
1:30 PM |
Local University Campus Tours
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