Black Men in Unions Institute
Since 1986, Black Men in Unions has invited all workers, union or non-union, and activists from allied organizations to share ideas and grow skills for responding to the challenges facing working people. In this conference, we pay special attention to bringing in black leaders to teach and cultivate the next generation of leadership. We welcome participants from all cultural or ethnic backgrounds and gender identities.
Information and registration for our upcoming conference below.
Past Events
You can review the curriculums offered at past conferences below. As this is a long-standing conference, please note that not every year is represented. To see photos and video from past conferences, visit the Black Men in Unions Facebook page.
2025 Black Men in Unions Institute
Black Men United through Leadership, Love, and Labor
WHEN: January 30th-February 2nd (Thursday-Sunday)
WHERE: Somerset Inn (2601 W Big Beaver Rd, Troy, MI 48084)
BMIU 2025 Flier
WORKSHOPS
Building Resilience & Empowering Mental Health: This is an opportunity to gain greater understanding of the forces that affect our mental health, particularly the mental health of Black men. Learn tools to overcome these challenges and build resilience and peace in your personal and professional life.
Builders of Progress: African Men in Labor History: Too often, African American men have been left out of the history we’ve been taught, yet they have contributed in powerful and meaningful ways. This workshop with uncover the lessons of our ancestors and explore how we can apply these lessons today.
Grievance Resolution Essentials: Participants of this workshop will learn best practices for handling grievance effectively, advocating for members, and reaching settlement to ensure just outcomes.
Diversity & Civil Rights: Equity in Action: This interactive workshop, focuses on how to be a champion for an inclusive workplace and Union in the current political climate. Participants will delve into the rights provided by law to ensure all are respected in the workplace.
Mastering contract Language & Contract Bargaining: Participants will earn to decipher contract language by better understanding key terminology and contract interpretation standards. They will also apply these skills to draft contract language benefiting their bargaining unit members.
Build Power Together: Union Organizing and Community Engagement: Organizing recognizes and utilizes the power of numbers. Learn tried and true methods to build and apply collective strength to meet goals of improving workers’ lives whether it be in the workplace or community.
Media Savvy: Developing Expertise in Print and Social Media: This workshop covers how to develop and target your messaging whether using the latest in social media or traditional print methods.
Navigating Parliamentary Procedure: Have you ever thought about how other people get things done at your union meeting? Then this is the workshop for you. Learn how to navigate Robert’s Rules of Order to confidently participate and run Union meetings.
Youth and Unions: Youth in Unions-Our youth are our future! This is an opportunity for our children to learn about the labor movement, why you are involved and why they should be too. Saturday class and Sunday graduation. Ages 8-17 years old. The cost is $60 per child.
Registration Information
REGISTRATION
Cost is $640 ($560 tuition, $80 mandatory meal fee). Please register andpay by January 23rd, 2025. If we receive the full $640 payment by that date, you are eligible for the ExpressLane—a shorter wait in line to check in. Mandatory meal payment covers 2 lunches and 3 breakfasts. Tuition assistance programs (TAP) cover tuition, but not meals. If using TAP, apply for $560 tuition. You or your union must include the $80 meal payment with your registration.
EVENT LOCATION
Event be held at Somerset Inn (2601 W Big Beaver Road, Troy , MI, 48084).
DATE & TIMES
First check-in is Thursday, January 30th from 4:30 to 6:30 pm. A welcome program that evening runs from 7 - 9 pm. There is a second check-in period from 7:30-9:00 am Friday, January 31st. Friday and Saturday programs begin at 9am and run until 5:00pm.
HOTEL ROOMS
Call (800) 228-8769 or (248) 643-7800 to reserve a room at the Somerset Inn at $129 per night (Queen Bed) or $154 per night (King bed) plus taxes. Rooms are held at this rate until two weeks before the conference. Mention BMIU for these rates. Note hotel cancellation deadlines. You will be charged if you fail to cancel by the hotel’s deadline.
CANCELLATIONS & REFUNDS
The last date to withdraw at no cost is January 23rd, 2025. To be valid, cancellations must be emailed to CLCS.info@umich.edu Registrants who do not cancel by the deadline and fail to attend owe full payment of $640.00.
LIMITED PARTIAL SCHOLARSHIPS AVAILABLE
Please contact our office or go to the scholarship application on our website to inquire about scholarship availability.
