Legendary activist and scholar Angela Davis will headline the upcoming Get Free: Black Feminist Reunion, marking the largest gathering of Black feminists in American history. Set for June 5-7, 2025, in New Orleans, this groundbreaking conference aims to unite generations of Black feminist thinkers and activists.
Davis, whose revolutionary work spans more than five decades, will deliver the keynote address to thousands of attendees. The three-day event promises to become a historic milestone in the ongoing struggle for racial and gender justice.
Black Feminist Leadership Converges in Historic New Orleans Summit
The Get Free conference draws inspiration from the landmark 1973 National Black Women’s Organization conference. Organizers have assembled an impressive roster of speakers and facilitators alongside Davis, including Domonique Morgan, Devin-Norelle, and Shana Griffin.
Throughout the weekend, participants will engage in panels and discussions covering crucial topics like “Visions of Black Feminist Possibilities” and “How Black Feminism Is Shaping Politics.” These sessions aim to equip attendees with practical tools for activism while fostering meaningful connections across generations.
The conference represents a rare opportunity for face-to-face networking among Black feminist thinkers, organizers, and community members from across the country. Many attendees view this gathering as essential for building cohesive strategies in today’s complex political landscape.
Angela Davis’ Revolutionary Legacy Continues to Inspire New Generations
Davis first gained national attention in the late 1960s as a radical feminist and member of both the Communist Party USA and the Black Panther Party. Her commitment to social justice came at significant personal cost when she was dismissed from her teaching position at the University of California in 1969, a controversial decision influenced by then-California Governor Ronald Reagan.
Although a judge later ruled her dismissal unjust, allowing her temporary return, Davis faced further challenges. In 1970, she was terminated again for using what university officials deemed “inflammatory language” in her public speeches.
Despite these obstacles, Davis persevered to become one of America’s most influential intellectual and activist voices. Her work consistently connects the struggles against racism, sexism, capitalism, and state violence into a comprehensive vision for social transformation.
Five Decades of Revolutionary Thought and Unwavering Activism
Throughout her remarkable career, Davis has received numerous honors acknowledging her contributions to social justice movements worldwide. These include the Soviet Union’s Lenin Peace Prize and induction into the National Women’s Hall of Fame. In 2020, Time magazine retroactively recognized her as its 1971 “Woman of the Year” in a special issue celebrating influential women.
Today, Davis serves as professor emerita of History of Consciousness and Feminist Studies at the University of California. She continues to shape academic and activist spheres through her prolific writing, including recent works such as “Abolition. Feminism. Now.” and “Abolition: Politics, Practices, Promises, Vol. 1.”
Additionally, as a founding member of Critical Resistance, Davis remains actively engaged in organizing against the prison industrial complex. Her intersectional approach to freedom struggles provides a blueprint for many contemporary movements.
Building New Feminist Futures Through Collective Action
The Get Free conference organizers emphasize that their vision extends beyond the three-day event. The gathering aims to elevate collective consciousness and catalyze ongoing collaboration among participants long after they return to their communities.
Sessions will focus on practical skills development alongside theoretical discussions. Attendees will explore strategies for community organizing, political education, and sustainable movement building that honors Black feminist traditions.
For many younger activists, the opportunity to learn directly from Davis represents a profound moment of intergenerational knowledge transfer. Her presence bridges historical Black feminist movements with contemporary struggles, reinforcing continuity in the ongoing fight for justice.
