SUBSUME is thrilled to herald the return of Black Futures Month, marking its seventh consecutive year as a prominent global forum at the intersection of Black culture, technology, and innovation. Slated for February 5–8, 2026, this four-day summit will be hosted at the Russell Innovation Center for Entrepreneurs, with a worldwide livestream available on Twitch and YouTube. Attendees can expect a lively gathering of innovators, creators, technologists, and storytellers from across the diaspora and beyond.
This year’s theme, “Designing Liberation,” emphasizes the importance of placing Black voices at the forefront of shaping equitable, people-centered technological futures. Black Futures Month is widely recognized as an embodiment of Afrofuturism in action, moving from mere imagination into tangible systems, tools, and pathways that empower communities today and for generations to come.
The initiative boasts a vibrant, year-round ecosystem of workshops, gatherings, and community-driven programming, making Black Futures Month the premier destination for Black and LatinX audiences aged 13–44 who are passionate about technology, gaming, STE(A)M education, entrepreneurship, creativity, and civic engagement. This demographic represents a powerful force shaping global culture, digital trends, brand adoption, civic dialogue, and technological innovation.
“Black Futures Month is where brands, culture, and impact converge. We don’t just imagine the future—we build it together.”
— Dedren Snead, Founder of SUBSUME
Summit Experiences
Throughout this immersive four-day event, attendees will engage in a diverse array of experiences, including:
- Creative Media & Digital Arts Showcases
- Hands-On Technology and Web3 Activations
- STE(A)M Training and Skill-Building Labs
- Civic and Social Innovation Conversations
- Afrofuturism and BIPOC Speculative Fiction
- Art and Book Pop-Ups
- Film and Animation Festival
- Day of Service and Community Resource Support
- Workforce Development and Career Readiness Labs
Rooted in Purpose and Values
SUBSUME partners with educators, brands, businesses, and community leaders to expand social and cultural impact through technology and media. Key initiatives include:
- Developing sustainable STE(A)M education programs and real-world skill pathways for K–12 students and HBCU partners
- Cultivating a diverse and inclusive pipeline of talent for the future tech and creative workforce
- Strengthening communities through connection, culture-building, and collective action
Black Futures Month 2026 invites the world to witness—and participate in—the future that is being actively designed now.
