Slavery North Conference to Examine Black Resistance and Border-Crossing During the American Revolution

Slavery North Conference Explores Resistance and Refuge

TORONTO, ON — Scholars, researchers, cultural preservationists, and students from across North America and beyond will gather this summer for a major international conference examining the histories of slavery, Black resistance, and migration during the American Revolution.

Hosted by Slavery North, the conference, Rebellion, Resistance, and Refuge: Slavery and Border-Crossing during the American Revolution, will take place from July 9 to 12, 2026, bringing together experts from multiple disciplines to explore the often-overlooked histories of slavery in Canada and the broader global North.

Organizers say the event will provide a platform for new scholarship while encouraging public engagement with historical narratives that have frequently been marginalized within mainstream discussions of transatlantic slavery.

Examining Histories Beyond Traditional Narratives

The conference is being led by Dr. Charmaine A. Nelson, art historian, scholar, and Founding Director of Slavery North.

According to organizers, the four-day event will feature academic presentations, panel discussions, and keynote lectures examining how slavery, resistance, migration, and freedom-seeking shaped Black experiences during and after the American Revolution.

Particular attention will be given to Canada and northern regions of North America, areas that are often absent from broader public discussions about slavery and the transatlantic slave trade.

“The Rebellion, Resistance, and Refuge Conference is not merely an academic gathering; it is a profound reclamation of historical space,” Dr. Nelson said in a statement.

She noted that the conference will bring together scholars from around the world to examine how the experiences of enslaved and free Black people were transformed by the social and political upheaval of the Revolutionary War period.

Exploring Black Resistance and Migration

A central theme of the conference is the movement of Black populations across borders during a period of conflict and social change.

Organizers say discussions will examine how enslaved Africans and free Black communities navigated war, displacement, resistance, and migration throughout North America.

The conference will also consider the experiences of Black Loyalists, freedom seekers, and other individuals whose journeys crossed colonial and national boundaries.

By exploring these histories, scholars hope to deepen public understanding of how slavery and its legacies shaped both Canada and the United States.

Connecting Academic Research with Public Understanding

Beyond academic research, conference organizers emphasize the importance of connecting historical scholarship to contemporary conversations about racial justice, cultural preservation, and collective memory.

Programming has been designed to engage both researchers and members of the public through multidisciplinary discussions that examine historical records alongside broader cultural and social questions.

The event aims to provide frameworks for understanding how the legacies of slavery continue to influence modern institutions and societies.

The Work of Slavery North

Slavery North is a research institute dedicated to investigating the histories and legacies of transatlantic slavery in Canada and the global North.

Through academic fellowships, archival preservation, public humanities initiatives, and educational programming, the organization seeks to expand public awareness of histories that have often been overlooked or excluded from traditional narratives.

Its work focuses on documenting and preserving the experiences of Black communities while encouraging broader conversations about slavery’s lasting impact.

Registration Open Until June 18

Registration for the conference is currently open through June 18, 2026.

The event is expected to attract international delegates, academics, students, cultural workers, and community advocates interested in Black history, slavery studies, and public humanities.

For members of the Caribbean and African diasporas, the conference offers an opportunity to engage with emerging scholarship that examines the historical foundations of migration, resistance, and Black identity across North America.

Additional information and registration details are available through Slavery North.

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