Bridging the Gap: The Power of Storytelling
You are invited to join Look2Justice and Haymarket Books in Chicago May 14th-15th, 2027 for the second annual Bridging the Gap Conference.
This year's conference theme is the Power of Storytelling and will be focused on amplifying incarcerated creators by building connections between those inside voices and outside publications.
You'll hear from keynote speakers Sarah Stillman, Hanif Abdurraqib, Kwaneta Harris and Christopher Blackwell, plus many more incredible leaders, including currently and formerly incarcerated authors and organizers. The focus of this year's conference will help participants better understand the impact storytelling has on the work we do furthering our struggles for creating communities of care.
Check out our digital zine from the 2026 Bridging the Gap Conference!
Over the course of two days together participants will learn concrete tools for supporting incarcerated storyteller, make connections with other entities doing this work, and collectively problem-solve to overcome the barriers to doing this work.
Audience: Who should attend?
Editors, journalists, publishers, legal organizations who want to deepen their work with incarcerated storytellers
Program administrators and organizers who work with incarcerated writers and filmmakers
Currently and formerly incarcerated storytellers, including journalists, narrative nonfiction writers, memoirists, documentary filmmakers
Funders who want to support incarcerated storytellers in building and developing platforms for their work
If you enjoyed our first conference, you won't want to miss this one.
Logistics for traveling to Chicago:
In order to support formerly incarcerated creators and other folks who might need assistance traveling to Chicago we are offering a limited number of travel stipends. We ask those who are able to pay their own way or receive organizational support for travel to do so, helping the conference accommodate as many attendees as possible.
If you are a Chicago-based attendee and can contribute a donation to support those who need to travel that would be much appreciated.
The location for the conference is in the West Loop neighborhood of Chicago, near the United Center, and accessible by public transit. Below is a list of hotel options within a couple miles of the conference. There may also be less expensive hotel options further from the venue. We have reserved a block of rooms at the Hampton Inn & Suites Chicago Medical District/UIC to support those who need assistance with housing. Please indicate on your registration if you need support to attend the conference and we will follow up.
Here is a list of nearby hotels if you are booking your own travel:
Hampton Inn & Suites Chicago Medical District UIC
Hyatt House Chicago Medical/University District
Courtyard by Marriott Chicago at Medical District/UIC
Hyatt House Chicago West Loop
This conference is co-organized by Look2Justice, Institute to End Mass Incarceration, Inquest, and Haymarket Books. We will share a full list of cosponsors soon!
Location
Chicago Teachers Union, 60612