The National Black Child Development Institute (NBCDI) will convene educators, corporations, community leaders, policymakers, healthcare professionals and creators Oct. 24–26 at Signia by Hilton Atlanta for its 54th National Conference, Infinite Possibilities. Tangible Realities.

The three-day gathering also marks the debut of NBCDI’s Book, Toy & Media Awards, recognizing creators whose work advances culturally affirming children’s content, including U.S. Senator - and children’s book author - Rev. Raphael G. Warnock.

For more than five decades, NBCDI has advanced a mission to improve and advance the quality of life for Black children and families through education, policy and advocacy. The 2025 Conference will host hundreds of leaders, influencers and decision makers to address the critical issues shaping the lives of children today, featuring plenary sessions, workshops and networking designed to bridge imagination with action. 

Topics will include early childhood education, family wellness, environmental justice, digital safety, cultural identity and policy change.

With Atlanta as this year’s host, several local experts will participate and lead in discussions including: Ruth Pimentel of The Trust for Public Land’s Georgia Community Schoolyards Program; Tara Buckner, urban planner with the City of Atlanta’s Department of Parks and Recreation; Blythe Keeler Robinson, CEO and president of Sheltering Arms; Tatjyana Elmore of Black Child Development Institute – Atlanta; Jay Bailey, CEO of the Russell Innovation Center for Entrepreneurs; Terri-Nichelle Bradley, CEO of Brown Toy Box; and Johnathon Hines, 2019 Georgia Pre-K Teacher of the Year, who has gone to become a national expert on early childhood education.

“This is more than a gathering—it’s a declaration,” said Dr. Leah Austin, President and CEO of NBCDI. “We’re convening a constellation of visionaries to build what our children deserve: a world designed for their liberation, safety and joy.”

Inaugural Book, Toy & Media Awards

On Saturday, October 25, NBCDI will debut its Book, Toy & Media Awards honoring creators and innovators — from Oscar-winning animators to children’s book authors — who center the diversity, brilliance and joy of Black children. The awards will spotlight books, toys, games and digital media that promote positive representation.

The celebration will feature keynote remarks by No. 1 New York Times bestselling author Jason Reynolds and will honor:

• U.S. Senator Reverend Raphael Warnock — United States Senator, Senior Pastor of Atlanta’s Ebenezer Baptist Church and author of the children’s book “Put Your Shoes On & Get Ready!”

• Dr. Lisa Williams — founder of The World of EPI and award-winning toy innovator
  Jacqueline Woodson — acclaimed author, MacArthur Fellow and former National Ambassador for Young People’s Literature 

• Ralph Farquhar — veteran television producer and writer behind “Moesha,” “The Parkers,” and Disney’s “The Proud Family”

• Bruce W. Smith — Oscar-winning animator, director and producer, best known as creator of Disney’s “The Proud Family”

• Makeda Mays Green — Senior Vice President, Digital and Cultural Consumer Insights at Nickelodeon

• Jamilah Thompkins-Bigelow — educator and author of children’s books including “Your Name is a Song” that celebrate identity and cultural pride

• Cedella Marley — author, philanthropist and CEO of the Bob Marley Group

• Tyshia Ingram — entrepreneur and toy creator 

• Zoe Oli — 13-year-old CEO of Beautiful Curly Me, a toy and media company inspiring confidence in Black girls

• Fracaswell “Cas” Hyman — Emmy-nominated television producer and writer known for children’s programming including “Gullah Gullah Island,” “Lyla in the Loop” and Netflix series “Bookmarks”

For more information, visit: https://bit.ly/nbcdi25reg.