Welcome to the 3rd Annual Black Educated Lesbians Conference

Thriving in Power: Liberation, Legacy, Leadership

Welcome to the 3rd Annual Black Educated Lesbians Conference.

This weekend was created intentionally for Black lesbians and Black queer women to gather, learn, connect, celebrate, and have conversations that are too often missing from the spaces available to us.

Our 2026 theme, Thriving in Power: Liberation, Legacy, Leadership, reflects where BEL is going as an organization and what we want this weekend to make possible for our community.

Across three days, we will explore physical and mental health, healthy relationships, domestic violence, suicide prevention, women’s health, sexual liberation, aging with intention, entrepreneurship, financial literacy, and other issues that directly affect our lives.

But this conference is about more than attending sessions.

Talk to somebody you didn’t come with. Ask questions. Visit the vendors. Use the resources. Exchange information. Take what you need. Leave something for somebody else.

This Conference Hub is your digital home throughout the weekend. Use it to access the schedule, learn about speakers and facilitators, find resources, complete your conference survey, and stay connected with BEL after the weekend ends.

United in Purpose, Power & Pride.

LaJoya Johnson
Founder & Executive Director
Black Educated Lesbians

Hotel & Venue Information

Conference Location

Embassy Suites by Hilton Atlanta Airport North
3450 International Blvd
Hapeville, GA 30354

(404) 768-1500

Arriving at the Conference

When you arrive, follow hotel signage for the Black Educated Lesbians Conference or ask the front desk for the location of BEL's conference space.

Hotel Check-In: 4 PM
Hotel Check-Out: 11 AM
Parking: Conference attendees receive complimentary parking
Airport Shuttle: Available to hotel guests
Conference Rooms: Room A/B

Important On-Site Information

Conference Check-In
Please check in at the BEL registration table when you arrive. You will receive the materials you need for the weekend.

Name Badges
Please wear your conference badge while participating in conference activities.

Meals
Boxed Lunches & Refreshments

Vendors
Our vendor marketplace will be available during Saturday and Sunday conference programming. Please take time to support the businesses and organizations joining us.

Resource Table
Visit the BEL Resource Table throughout the weekend for additional community, health, wellness, and support information.

Photography & Media
On-site headshots are available for $45

VIP ticket holders receive complimentary headshots

Wi-Fi
Network: Hiton Hote Meetings
Password: atlbwstandard

Wi-Fi information will be available at the BEL registration table.

Our 2026 Supporters

The 3rd Annual Black Educated Lesbians Conference is made possible in part through the support of organizations, businesses, community partners, vendors, speakers, volunteers, and individuals who believe in creating spaces where Black lesbians and Black queer women can thrive.

Conference Sponsors

Our conference sponsors provide financial support that helps make the Black Educated Lesbians Conference possible. Their investment supports BEL’s ability to create an intentional, educational, and affirming conference experience centered on Black lesbians and Black queer women.

Liberation Level:

Cerene Cryotherapy

OVO Bamboo Pads

Mar Fran Cleaning Services

Community Level:

Kappa Xi Omega Sorority Inc.

Community Partners

Our community partners strengthen the conference through collaboration, outreach, resources, expertise, and connection to the communities we serve. We appreciate the organizations that continue to work alongside BEL to expand access, visibility, education, and community support.

In-Kind Supporters

Our in-kind supporters contribute products, services, materials, resources, and other non-cash support that helps BEL create a meaningful conference experience for attendees. Every contribution helps us stretch our resources further and invest more directly in our community.

2026 Vendors

Our 2026 Vendor Marketplace brings together businesses, organizations, entrepreneurs, and community resources for conference attendees to discover and support throughout the weekend. We encourage attendees to visit our vendors, learn about their work, shop their products and services, and make connections that extend beyond the conference.

Alzheimers Association of Georgia
State of Georgia Department of Famiy Chidren Services
She Do Graphics
Eating with Flowers
Resience Development School
Cerene Cryotherapy
Planned Parenthood SE
Kappa Xi Omega Sorority Inc
Simplicity Psychotherapy
Kameela Arnani-Author

Share Your Conference Feedback

Your Experience Helps Shape What Comes Next

Thank you for being part of the 3rd Annual Black Educated Lesbians Conference: Thriving in Power – Liberation, Legacy & Leadership.

Whether you attended as a conference guest, VIP, vendor, volunteer, speaker, facilitator, sponsor, or community partner, your experience matters to us.

BEL uses conference feedback to understand what worked well, identify opportunities for improvement, strengthen future programming, and continue creating meaningful spaces centered on Black lesbians and Black queer women.

Your feedback will help us as we begin planning the 4th Annual Black Educated Lesbians Conference in Chicago, September 17–19, 2027.

We Want to Hear From You

Please take a few minutes to tell us about your experience, including:

Conference sessions and speakers
Venue and conference logistics
Food and hospitality
Vendors and resources
Communication before and during the conference
Your overall conference experience
Topics and experiences you would like to see in the future

Your honest feedback is welcome. We want to know what you loved and where we can do better

Complete the Conference Feedback Survey

The BEL Conference

The BEL Conference