A Dream Deferred 2025 Sparks Innovation, Conversation, and Action for the Future of Education

Nearly 800 educators from K–12 schools and colleges across the country gathered for A Dream Deferred^TM 2025, a premier conference dedicated to expanding postsecondary access and opportunities for underrepresented students.  

Hosted by the College Board, A Dream Deferred provides a critical platform for historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs) and educators to engage in meaningful discussions about the unique academic and cultural needs of Black students. The conference fosters collaboration, shares best practices, and explores innovative solutions to drive student success.

“In our two days together, we gained invaluable insights from colleges, universities, K–12 leaders, and students who joined us from Long Beach Unified School District on illuminating career and college pathways for Black students,” said Kedra Ishop, senior vice president of the College Board Higher Education, Membership, and Access Division. “These conversations help us create real, tangible change.”

Created 20 years ago, the same year as the 50th anniversary of the landmark Brown v. Board of Education suit that marked a turning point in public education in the United States, A Dream Deferred is part of a series of educator conferences hosted by College Board focused on underrepresented students. Also part of the conference series is the Prepárate conference from April 9–11, 2025.  It highlights national models that are successfully preparing Latino students for college and success. The Native American Student Advocacy Institute (NASAI) will take place in Seattle, Washington, from June 4–6, 2025. The NASAI conference assembles a dedicated community of educators and tribal education leaders to address the educational challenges facing Native American, Alaska Native, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander students.  

Inspiration from Best-Selling Author Tomi Adeyemi  

New York Times best-selling author Tomi Adeyemi inspired attendees, whose Legacy of Orïsha trilogy is currently being adapted for film. Speaking about the power of storytelling, Adeyemi emphasized the importance of nurturing creativity in students.

“Teaching should nurture the spirit—looking beyond frustrations or failures to uncover what truly speaks to a student,” Adeyemi said. “Find that spark inside of them. That spark is their key.” Adeyemi told conference attendees the importance her Advanced Placement® courses played in her journey to become a writer. Adeyemi told the audience that her 11th-grade AP® English Language and Composition teacher turned the class into a workshop on creative nonfiction. “That was a teacher who completely flipped the script in my life,” Adeyemi said, joking that it felt like something out of a cheesy inspiration movie when all her classmates would find points of connection through their essays.

Key Sessions and Expert Insights  

The conference featured a robust lineup of sessions, including:  

• Empowering Futures: A Comprehensive Approach to Increasing HBCU Enrollment for Students  
• HBCU Innovations at Scale: AI Technology Integration and Lessons Learned  
• Attracting Tomorrow’s Leaders: Elevating Prospective Student Experiences  
• Doing Something About It: 10 Steps to Building a High-Impact School-Based Mentoring Program  

Attendees also gained crucial insights from Kylon Alford-Windfield (Vice President of Enrollment Management, Jackson State University), Michael A. Bailey (Executive Director of Undergraduate Admissions and Transfer Services, North Carolina Central University), and Robert Mason (Founder & CEO, Common Black College Application), who shared expert guidance on supporting Black students in their educational journeys through BigFuture^®.