LEAD Conference
A CONFERENCE FOR EDUCATION LEADERSLEAD 2026
The 2026 LEAD Conference will take place July 28-29, at the McNamara Alumni Center. Registration is now open!
The LEAD Conference supports education leaders by offering actionable insights, tools, and strategies to improve PreK-12 school systems. All are welcome.
Thanks to the generosity of our donors, registration for LEAD 2026 is now more affordable than ever. We’ve lowered our rates to help more education leaders join us this summer.
- New Standard Rate: $300
2026 keynote speakers
Dr. Christopher Emdin
Dr. Christopher Emdin is an internationally recognized scholar, author, speaker, creative strategist, and educator whose work has transformed the global conversation around teaching, learning, culture, creativity, and innovation. He is the Maxine Greene Chair for Distinguished Contributions to Education and Professor of Science Education at Teachers College, Columbia University, where he also serves as Program Director for Science Education.
Dr. Emdin also serves as Director of Creativity, Innovation, and Entrepreneurship for the STEAM Dream IdeaLab, where he leads initiatives that bring together science, technology, engineering, the arts, design thinking, entrepreneurship, and radical imagination. Through this work, he has become a leading voice in helping schools, organizations, and institutions rethink creativity not as an accessory to learning, but as essential to human flourishing, innovation, and transformation.
Known for bridging the worlds of hip hop, science, spirituality, pedagogy, design, and social justice, Dr. Emdin challenges audiences to reimagine what education, leadership, and creativity can look like in the modern world. His groundbreaking work on reality pedagogy, culturally sustaining education, and creative engagement has influenced classrooms, school systems, universities, and organizations internationally.
Dr. Emdin is the author of numerous influential books, including the New York Times bestselling For White Folks Who Teach in the Hood…and the Rest of Y’all Too, Ratchetdemic, STEM, STEAM, Make, Dream, and most recently, The Sacred Art of Teaching, coauthored with legendary educator Lisa Delpit.
His leadership extends far beyond the University. Dr. Emdin serves on the board of the Fund for Public Schools and is a founding board member of the Bronx High School of Hip Hop, helping to shape educational spaces grounded in culture, creativity, artistry, community, and youth brilliance.
Whether speaking to educators, artists, business leaders, students, policymakers, or community organizations, Dr. Emdin brings a rare combination of scholarship, storytelling, cultural insight, humor, and visionary thinking that leaves audiences challenged, inspired, and transformed.
Non-discrimination statement
This event is open to all. The University of Minnesota shall provide equal access to and opportunity in its programs, facilities, and employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, gender, age, marital status, familial status, disability, public assistance status, membership or activity in a local commission created for the purpose of dealing with discrimination, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression.
Land acknowledgement
The University of Minnesota Twin Cities is built within the traditional homelands of the Dakota people. It is important to acknowledge the peoples on whose land we live, learn, and work as we seek to improve and strengthen our relations with our tribal nations. We also acknowledge that words are not enough. We must ensure that our institution provides support, resources, and programs that increase access to all aspects of higher education for our American Indian students, staff, faculty, and community members.