Call For Speakers: Taste of Freedom 2026

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On September 17th We Will Share Your Freedom Stories: Research, Methods, and Expressions Virtually at www.TasteofFreedom2026.com    

Taste of Freedom 2026 invites archaeologists, historians, educators, genealogists, and descendant community members to present at our upcoming virtual hybrid experience. We are looking for presentations that bridge the gap between historical research and modern-day interpretation, focusing on the pursuit of liberty and the legal frameworks that shaped it.
This is a working convening focused on sharing methods, uncovering new data, and engaging enthusiasts.

Our 2026 Theme: The Fight For Freedom and Citizenship: The Constitution. The Law. Then and Now.
Our program centers on the lived realities of resistance. We are specifically seeking presentations that examine the 1850 Fugitive Slave Act and it's comparison to present day ICE Enforcement, the legacy of the Civil War (165th Anniversary), and the vital roles of figures like Harriet Tubman, Frederick Douglass, Thomas Smallwood, Charles Torrey, Nathaniel "Nace" Hopkins, Nicholas "Nick" Biddle, and Robert Smalls and Colonel William Birney.
We want to explore how historical struggles for citizenship and legal rights inform our understanding of freedom today.

You should apply if you are actively involved in:

• Historical Research: Uncovering new insights into the lives of freedom seekers or the 19th-century legal landscape.
• Methodology: Developing or testing new approaches in archaeology, genealogy, or archival research.
• Curriculum & Interpretation: Designing immersive educational tools or public history programs for students and the general public.
• Creative Expression: Using art, digital media, or storytelling to bring historical narratives to life.
• Community Stewardship: Working alongside descendant communities to preserve and share ancestral history.

Why Present at Taste of Freedom 2026Presenters benefit from:

• Interdisciplinary Engagement: Connect with a diverse community of experts across history, education, and the arts.
• Global Reach: Be part of a virtual hybrid experience with a year-round video knowledgebase accessible to practitioners and the public.
• Ancestral Connection: Join a forum that prioritizes the voices of descendant community members and community-based researchers.

Presentation Format & Expectations

• Presentation length: 30 minutes
• Formats accepted: Case studies, research findings, educational frameworks, moderated panels, and creative/artistic showcases.
• Focus: Practical methods, new discoveries, and replicable interpretation ideas.
• Prioritization: Due to limited slots, proposals that highlight collaborative research or new primary source findings will be prioritized.

Topics of InterestWe welcome submissions across a wide range of historical and creative fields, including but not limited to:

• The Legal Landscape: Analysis of the Fugitive Slave Act of 1850, the U.S. Constitution then and now. 
• Biographical Research: New insights into Harriet Tubman, Frederick Douglass, Nicholas "Nick" Biddle, Nathaniel "Nace" Hopkins, Thomas Smallwood & Charles Torrey and regional freedom fighters.
• Military History: The 165th Anniversary of the Civil War and the role of the U.S. Colored Troops (USCT).
• Archaeological Discoveries: Recent findings at sites associated with the Underground Railroad, freedom seeker communities, genealogy, and descendant-led storytelling
• Maryland Lynching: Uncovering new insights into the 44 African Americans that were lynched in Maryland by white mobs between 1854 and 1933.
• Genealogical Methods: Bridging gaps in the African American family record.
• Digital Humanities: Use of VR, AR, AI, and immersive digital mapping to visualize historical movements and public history.
• Art as History: Creative expressions (music, visual arts, theater) as tools for historical interpretation.
• The April 18th and 19th 1861 Baltimore Riot
• Robert Smalls Escape From Slavery by Seizing a Confederate Ship
• Colonel William Birney and the Baltimore U.S. Colored Troops
• Stories of Baltimore African American Maritime History
• African American Faith Based Organizations and Houses of Worship
• Stories of Colored Schools, HBCU's and the Fight For Education
• Curriculum innovation and creative interpretation of African American history
• Other relevant presentations are warmly welcomed

Selection ProcessSubmissions are reviewed by the Taste of Freedom Selection Committee based on:

1. Relevance to the "Fight For Freedom and Citizenship" theme.
2. Originality of research or interpretation method.
3. Clarity and engagement of the proposal.
4. Potential for community impact or classroom application.
5. 
   

Important Date & Submission Deadline: June 30, 2026 · 5:00 PM EST

Notification of Selection: Real-time, rolling notifications
Questions?
Contact aaron@vrcamstudios.com for inquiries regarding speaker submissions.

Apply to Speak 

Submit Your Proposal BelowNote: Taste of Freedom 2026 is a public forum. By presenting, you permit the conference to record your session for educational and promotional use. Speakers’ statements or written materials may be independently recorded or published by news media organizations or other attendees outside the control of Taste of Freedom 2026. 

Important Notes:

Taste of Freedom 2026 Does Not Pay Traveling Expenses or An Honorarium For Presenters.

By completing the information below, and in consideration for your participation at Taste of Freedom 2026, you hereby (a) permit Taste of Freedom 2026 to record in full your presentation in both audio and visual formats (the “Recording”); (b) grant Taste of Freedom 2026, its affiliates and licensees, a non-exclusive, royalty-free, worldwide license to reproduce, display, perform, edit, transcribe, distribute and make derivative works of the Recording in whole or in part, in any and all languages and media (now known or hereafter developed); and (c) grant Taste of Freedom 2026, its affiliates and licensees, a non-exclusive license to your voice, name, likeness, and biographical data to publicize or advertise the Recording. Taste of Freedom 2026 will provide attribution in connection with exhibitions of the Recording.

👉 Submit Your Proposal Below

Due to limited speaking slots, submitting as a joint presentation or case study with an end-user client significantly increases the likelihood of selection.
 

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