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Metropolitan Center for Research on Equity and the Transformation of Schools

Equity Now: A Call to Action-Reframing Equity Through Refining Culturally Responsive Systems

Image captures a Black Woman looking directly into the lens of the camera. She is at the center of a protest occuring in the streets. Other protesters hold signs advocating for change. The photo centers on a woman standing stiff with her arms folded across her waist. She wears a dark bule denim shirt and a stern expression on her face.

Don't miss the EQUITY NOW conference on Friday, May 29, 2026!

This year’s conference focuses on developing new ways of moving equity to be more responsive to children, families and communities who exist furthest on the margins. In this moment, when there is an attack on our most marginalized student communities, what will you do and how can we stand together as a community to support our most harmed and vulnerable children, families, and                                                                                                                   communities?

Image captures a diverse audience applauding a presentation before them. The larger crowd image centered around a Black woman sitting in a chair in the middle of the room, wearing a white colored short sleeve jacket.

NYU Metro Center's 2026 Equity Now Conference offers a full day of community building, networking and learning from educators, parent/caregivers, youth, community organizers and technical assistance providers who are committed to transforming their classrooms, schools and districts.

Equity Now Conference sessions will include those curated by NYU Metro Center expertise as well as leaders based in districts, schools, classrooms, and organizations who continue to engage in equity and culturally responsive policies, procedures and practices. You will walk away with clear next steps to maintain cultural responsiveness as a core for creating transformational education and liberatory schooling spaces. 

NYU Metro Center's 2026 Equity Now Conference is now receiving workshop submissions.

Submit your workshop submission for the 2026 Equity Now Conference.

Share your 2026 Equity Now Conference submission here.
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Equity Now Conference Themes

Image capture Black students in a public school classroom. The camera records at least thirteen African American students engaging with each other, and their teacher at the front of the classroom. The image is centered around Black girl who raises her hand to answer a question, while seated at her desk. She has is wearing a dark colored top.

Culturally Responsive Systems

  • This conference track is inclusive of, but not limited to, the following:
    • Elevating district and school policies, procedures and practices that have generated educational spaces that welcome and affirm historically marginalized students’ experiences and identities
    • Shifts toward community circles and restorative practices within school-wide discipline systems
    • Creating a culturally responsive culture and climate centering youth voice, in which youth are an integral and critical voice in district and school decision making processes
    • Development and implementation of equity center liberatory systems approaches
    • Policies and processes that have led to developing culturally responsive and sustaining hiring practices - particularly those resulting in a pipeline of  administrators, teachers and staff that mirror the demographics of students and parents/caregivers in districts and schools
    • The adaptation of State Department of Education policies into practices in districts, schools, and classrooms that are culturally responsive (for example, Portrait of  Graduate, SEL, curriculum and instruction, etc.)
    • Culturally responsive parent/caregiver policies and procedures that welcome, affirm and create belonging for families across differences
Image captures seven students gathering for a selfie. The students are outdoors in proximity of a white colored brick wall. The students are standing in rows of 3, and 4. The students smile as they look directly at the camera.

Culturally Responsive Practices

  • This conference track is inclusive of, but not limited to, the following:
    • Fostering curricular and instructional design and practices that center the joy and brilliance of racially, culturally, and linguistically diverse students (e.g., culturally responsive literacy, mathematics, etc)
    • Teaching liberatory curriculum and instructional practices                                                                  
    • Practices that promote emotional and well-being for students, educators, and caregivers
    • Culturally responsive capacity building approaches
    • Culturally responsive parent/caregiver and youth engagement practices  
Image captures a photo of five diverse educators. The photo notes educators from and Asian, African-American,, White, and Latinx backgrounds.

Do you have Culturally Responsive Systems or Practices to share? 

Are you interested in leading your very own Equity Now Conference workshop? Please respond to our Call for Proposals. 

Consider submitting a proposal to present at NYU Metro Center’s 2026 Annual Conference. We welcome and highly encourage proposals from educators, youth, and parents/caregivers. Our proposal submissions window is Wednesday October 15, 2026 to Wednesday, November 26, 2026. You will be informed about your submitted proposal decision by early January at the latest. We look forward to your submission and attendance at the conference.

Equity Now Conference Travel and Lodging Options

Review your travel and lodging options for NYU Metro Center's 2026 Equity Now Conference

Learn more about travel information for NYU Metro Center's Equity Conference
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