What 'Get Free 2025' Gave Me

I love a well constructed conference and early June 2025 was jampacked with at least two that had me torn. The American Association of Sexuality Educators, Counselors, and Therapists (AASECT) was hosting its annual conference in viva Las Vegas at the same time Black Feminist Future (BFF) was hosting their biannual Black Feminist Reunion, also known as Get Free, in New Orleans. One thing I am going to do is get my cup refilled at a conference, so needless to say these conflicting experiences had me split. Good thing my decision was win-win either way. I’d either expand my knowledge in the sexology field specifically at AASECT or strengthen my Black feminist ideological foundation at Get Free. Ultimately, Get Free won me over for three reasons:
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1. I attended AASECT in 2023 but had never been to Get Free
2. Get Free offered scholarships to cover travel and lodging expenses for volunteers 
3. As a New Orleans native that’s now an ATL transplant, I’m always excited for a reason to visit home

I rolled my luggage into the hotel lobby ready to be poured into by the phenomenal line up of speakers and challenged by the content. I was greeted by huge banners that read “Black Feminisms Gets Us Free” and other signage that clearly let guests know who was occupying space this weekend. It was a takeover and I loved it! Some may not think of it as a big deal, but going to the bottom of the bottom (check your maps, let’s remember geography) during a Republican presidential power trip to facilitate the largest gathering of Black Feminists was bold to say the least. Get Free highlighted the importance of being both audacious and equipped. I was inspired by several Black Panthers and former political prisoners, a plethora of creators that use art as forms of activism, fire filmmakers, and way too many reproductive justice advocates to name. Here are a few key points I pulled from my notes as items to consider spending more time with:

• Activation: what will YOU do?
• Imagination is critical: what do YOU want to see?
• Love is necessary
• Nuances of navigating narrative power
• Art as provocation for change
• Doing it scared [make plans and execute]
• Differences is the key, likeness is not the goal
• Implementing nonlinear approaches to achieving Black Feminist possibilities

As I flipped through my notebook on the flight home, I noticed that I had a list of questions to consider, each inspired by the different sessions I attended at the conference. Half-baked thoughts about imagining Black Feminist possibilities and actualizing the power of love flooded the pages of my notebook. I'm so excited to bring them into fruition. I wholeheartedly look forward to continuing to contribute to this ongoing project of getting free and dismantling systems of power. Thank you Paris Hatcher and the Black Feminist Future team for intentionally curating an experience that replenished me for the work we have to do to push the needle forward. Job well done, can’t wait until the next one. 

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Get Free 2025 hosted by Black Feminist Future in New Orleans, LA