Othering & Belonging Conference

The next Othering & Belonging Conference will be held October 9-10, 2026* in Louisville, Kentucky. Register Today! 

REGISTER HERE

What to Expect at O&B26

• Over 1,000 changemakers gathered to engage in collective meaning-making and action toward securing inclusive, pluralistic democracies and building belonging 
• An immersive, two-day experience designed to catalyze action, sharpen collective work, spark joy, and build stronger coalitions that build a bigger "we" 
• Hands-on strategy and skills-building workshops to fight back against authoritarian capture and fight forward to build the future we want to see
• A vibrant ecosystem of people working across research, grassroots movements, arts and culture, education, policy, philanthropy, business, among other sectors, united by a common purpose to building more caring and inclusive societies
• Thematic tracks related to belonging and democracy in action, the power of bridging, and the role of institutions and systems in our work to bolster democracy and belonging 
• Interactive and tactile exhibits that bring conference themes to life 
• Vibrant movement spaces including meditation, yoga, and other kinetic and somatic ways to engage in conference themes
• Poster Showcase and scheduled meet-and-greets with poster creators 
• Our popular Belonging Book table with local bookseller and book signings
• What would you like to experience, offer, or learn? Write us and let us know! 

Interested in sponsoring O&B 26? Please contact our Development Director Sarah Legg.

Our Goals for the 2026 Conference: 

• Attendees leave with inspiration, shared purpose, and actionable ways forward to building inclusive, pluralistic democracies
• The conference provides a coherent, compelling vision of belonging without othering, and the concrete tools and connections to help build it 
• Clear lessons are gleaned from Kentucky, the US South, and regional movements and leaders on struggles and strategies against structural marginalization 
• Attendees leave with a deeper understanding of economic and material belonging and the threat of extreme inequality
• Participants are provided with a robust understanding of how bridging strengthens democracy, and the conference provides ways to practice it 
• Ways to deepen relationships, networks, and partnerships are embedded throughout, and nurtured in ways that can be sustained beyond the conference

Explore the O&B Conference Experience! 

Use the buttons below to explore various aspects of the Othering & Belonging conference experience. We have an extensive media library for videos and podcasts, or click to download our latest post-conference report. And be sure to stay updated on all conference news through our OBI newsletter.

Sponsorship Opportunities for O&B26!

Past Speakers

Read more testimonials here