The 2026 Color of Education Summit brought educators, students, researchers, policymakers, advocates and community leaders together at the McKimmon Conference & Training Center in Raleigh on Oct. 3 for a day focused on racial equity and educational justice in North Carolina’s public schools.
This year’s theme, “Justice Rising: Repairing, Restoring, Resisting,” centered on addressing systemic inequities while expanding access and opportunity for students across the state.
The full-day, in-person summit followed a virtual opening session held Oct. 2. Throughout the Oct. 3 program, participants took part in discussions examining the history of educational inequity, leadership, public policy, student opportunity and how education systems can prepare for the future.
Sessions also explored strategies for addressing persistent disparities and the roles educators, policymakers and communities can play in creating more equitable learning environments.
At the center of the summit was a call for collective action. Through its theme of repairing, restoring and resisting, the event emphasized addressing past harms, restoring opportunities for students and challenging policies and practices that continue to contribute to inequity in education.
