Bend the arc
summit

Equity-Based Instructional Leadership:
Reclaiming Students' Cognitive Sovereignty
‍
June 29 - July 1, 2026   |   Chicago, IL

BEND THE ARC

In his final documented address in 1968, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. is recorded saying, ‘The arc of the moral universe is long, but it bends toward justice.” In that same message, he describes how, “social progress never rolls in on the wheels of inevitability.”

His words are at once a description of truth and a call to action. He is articulating how the arc will only bend when we develop the skills and muster the courage to do the bending. Positive change does not happen simply from the passing of time.

let's bend the arc together

This journey—Bend The Arc—is not just a moment to gather. It’s a moment to reckon. To reflect. To build. It’s about asking ourselves the hard questions: Who are we in this moment? What will we risk? What will we change?

Summit AUDIENCE

This summit is for any educator who supports instructional practice. Some examples include: teacher leaders, grade-level leads, instructional coaches, school building administrators, district-level curriculum coordinators, and superintendents. We encourage individuals to participate as a team to allow for deep reflection and planning for next steps.

Summit Experience

Our goal is to equip educational leaders with the mindset, skillset, and heartset to engage in equity-focused, transformative instructional work that cultivates students’ ability to reclaim their cognitive sovereignty (the ability to learn and grow their brains independently).
‍
Every attendee will receive an exclusive collection of resources and materials designed to enhance their experience, support their learning, and foster meaningful connections throughout the summit.

Evening Reception

Enjoy drinks and a kick-off dinner with our honored guests.

Session Attendance

Two full days of learning and belonging-based networking.

Exclusive Access

Gain exclusive access to Equity Imperative strategic planning tools and resources.

One-Year License

Participants choose any one of our five online courses (each with three learning modules) and receive a one-year subscription to the content.

Strategic Planning

Have intentional strategic planning time after each speaker shares insights.

Book

Every attendee will receive a personal copy of Zaretta Hammond’s book entitled Rebuilding Students’ Learning Power: Teaching for Instructional Equity and Cognitive Justice.

Quarterly Check-ins

Unlock community check-ins after the summit to assess for progress and continued support.

Meals + Espresso Bar

Each full day includes a morning espresso bar and Chicago-style catered breakfast and lunch.

Optional Add-on: Fireside Chat

Join this optional, limited-to-25 small-group experience for an additional 90 minutes of intimate dialogue, questions, and reflection with Zaretta Hammond.

keynote SPEAKER

zaretta hammond

Zaretta Hammond, M.A. is a national consultant and author of Culturally Responsive Teaching and the Brain: Promoting Authentic Engagement and Rigor for Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Students (Corwin, 2015).

She is a former high school and community college writing teacher. For the past 25 years, she has supported schools and other institutions in deepening their understanding and application of culturally responsive practices, the science of reading, and the science of learning. In addition, she has written articles and book chapters on these topics to help system leaders and instructional coaches support teachers to improve instruction.

Dr. Amanda Lewis

Amanda E. Lewis, Ph.D. is the Director of the Institute for Research on Race and Public Policy and Distinguished Professor of Black Studies and Sociology at the University of Illinois Chicago. Her award-winning research examines how race shapes educational opportunity and how racial beliefs operate in everyday life.

She is the author of Race in the Schoolyard and co-author of Despite the Best Intentions: Why Racial Inequality Persists in Good Schools. Her work has appeared in top academic journals and has been supported by major institutions including the NSF, NIH, and MacArthur Foundation.

As Director of IRRPP, Dr. Lewis has led over a decade of collaborative research projects with community partners, including The State of Racial Justice in Chicago. She regularly speaks and consults on issues of racial equity and education across the country.

event
schedule

More details forthcoming
Day 01
Day 02
Day 03
4:00 PM

Bend The Arc Reception Dinner

Begin your summit experience with a relaxed cocktail hour, a fully catered three-course meal representing the Chicago fusion of cuisine cultures, live music and access to the courtyard patio for summer night in the Windy City.

The Equity Imperative
Summit Host
Morning

Keynote - Zaretta Hammond

Zaretta Hammond will unpack key insights from her latest book, offering practical, research-aligned strategies that strengthen belonging, build learner independence, and accelerate academic growth for all students.

Zaretta Hammond
Author, Speaker, and Equity Advocate
Afternoon

Fireside Chat Lunch with Zaretta Hammond

Small-group (limited to 25 attendees) experience for an additional 90 minutes of intimate dialogue, questions, and reflection with Zaretta Hammond.

Zaretta Hammond
Author, Speaker, and Equity Advocate
Afternoon

Strategic Planning

Our strategic planning sessions will guide leaders through a focused process to clarify priorities, strengthen systems, and build actionable, equity-centered plans that drive meaningful and sustainable impact in their schools and organizations.

The Equity Imperatve
Summit Host
Morning

Keynote - Dr. Amanda Lewis

Amanda E. Lewis, Ph.D. is the Director of the Institute for Research on Race and Public Policy and Distinguished Professor of Black Studies and Sociology at the University of Illinois Chicago.

Dr. Amanda Lewis
Author, Professor, and Equity Advocate
Morning

Keynote - Matthew Rodriguez

Matthew Rodriguez, co-founder of The Equity Imperative, will lead a powerful session on building systems and routines that center belonging, elevate instructional excellence, and create the conditions for every learner and leader to thrive.

Matthew Rodriguez
Co-founder of The Equity Imperative
Afternoon

Strategic Planning

Our strategic planning sessions will guide leaders through a focused process to clarify priorities, strengthen systems, and build actionable, equity-centered plans that drive meaningful and sustainable impact in their schools and organizations.

The Equity Imperatve
Summit Host

Packages

Attendee Registration: $1800

With limited spots available, this summit is designed to be an intimate and impactful learning opportunity. Choose the best form of payment, and reserve your place before we reach capacity. Don’t miss this opportunity to be part of a transformative learning experience!

Please Note: If you are paying with Check or Purchase Order, no payment is required at registration; your spot will be held and finalized once payment or documentation is received.

Option 1
Register with Purchase Order
Submit to hold your registration while we begin billing coordination—your spot is confirmed when the purchase order is received.
Option 2
Register with Credit Card
Register and pay instantly by credit card to secure your spot and receive immediate confirmation.
Option 3
Register with Check
Reserve your spot and begin the registration process; your seat will be finalized once we receive your check.

Optional add-on: Fireside chat $125

We are making space for only 25 participants to join an exclusive “fireside chat” with our keynote, Dr. Zaretta Hammond—an intimate 90-minute extension for deeper dialogue, questions, and reflection on next steps. This opportunity is first-come, first-serve, and spots will go fast. During the registration process, you will be prompted to select the Fireside Chat Add-On after entering your attendee information.

Register

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Bend the arc summit

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