Join GLAAD and take action for acceptance.
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Dates: Thursday, September 18 – Sunday, September 21
Location: Los Angeles, CA. Exact venue details will be shared with confirmed attendees.
Scholarship Details & Travel Information
We’re proud to offer scholarship support for up to 60 BQCS Scholars. Scholarship recipients will receive:
- Lodging, Meals, Event transportation
- A $350 travel stipend to be used toward round-trip airfare
If airfare costs exceed the stipend, recipients are responsible for reimbursing the difference. Lodging will be provided to all scholarship recipients, including those local to Los Angeles.
Non-Scholarship Attendees
If you are not receiving a scholarship, you are still welcome to attend the Summit. Non-scholarship attendees are responsible for covering airfare and hotel accommodations.
Instructions to reserve your room — at our host hotel for BQCS attendees — will be shared via email. We encourage scholars to stay on site to receive a special conference rate and be in community, but LA based creatives are welcome to commute daily if preferred.
Your stay includes:
- All conference meals, Event transportation
- Full access to programming over two days and three nights
Encourage Your Organization to Sponsor You
If you are attending without a scholarship, we encourage you to request professional development support from your employer, sponsor organization, or professional network.
The Black Queer Creative Summit offers valuable leadership training, networking, and industry-specific growth opportunities. To help make the ask easier, we’ve provided a sponsorship request letter that you can customize and share:
Download Sponsorship Letter Template
Important Deadlines
- Confirm your participation by Thursday, July 11, 11:00 PM, PST.
- Please refrain from publicly announcing your participation until we provide an official announcement date and digital assets
- Session registration opens Friday, August 1
What to Expect
The Summit offers a dynamic, community-centered experience, including:
- Day 1: Keynotes, large group sessions, and wellness offerings
- Day 2: Breakout sessions tailored to specific industry tracks
- Evenings: Social events open to all attendees, speakers, and special guests
Full programming, featured speakers, and special guests will be announced soon.
Who’s in the 2025 Cohort?
This year’s cohort reflects the brilliance, diversity, and vision of our community — spanning the U.S. and representing a wide range of voices: from community organizers, multidisciplinary artists and seasoned professionals stepping into new chapters.
Like you, they are creators, disruptors, and dreamers — committed to learning, growing, and building something bigger together.
Summit Tracks
Executives & Industry Leaders:
Macro strategists shaping the future of media and entertainment such as producers, showrunners, publicists, agents, managers, community organizers, network executives, and programmers.
Creators & Storytellers:
Multidisciplinary creatives crafting bold narratives such as filmmakers, directors, screenwriters, journalists, photographers, animators, video editors, poets, spoken word artists.
Behind-the-Scenes Visionaries:
The architects who illustrate and execute the story through hair and makeup, wardrobe styling, costume design, set design, creative direction, content managers, choreography.
On-Screen & Live Talent:
Public-facing creatives shifting culture and visibility including actors, hosts, emcees, performers, influencers.
Audio & Music Development:
Recording artists, composers, DJs, songwriters, music editors, sound designers, and label execs shaping the sonic worlds that move us.
What Comes Next?
Keep an eye on your inbox — you’ll receive updates in the coming months on programming, speakers, community opportunities, and more.
Questions? Reach out to communities@glaad.org and cc events@glaad.org.
About GLAAD’s Communities of Color and Media
GLAAD’s Communities of Color and Media Department is a leading force driving equitable and accurate representation of Black LGBTQ+ people, people living with HIV (PLWH), and queer communities of color in the realm of entertainment and media.
Learn more about our programs and work here.
OFFICIAL SPONSORS
SUPPORTING SPONSOR
To become an event partner, contact GLAAD Corporate Partnerships at partnerships@glaad.org.