Black Women in Japan Conference 2026
About the Black Women in Japan Conference
After a hiatus, we are bringing back the Black Women in Japan Conference 2026! The Black Women in Japan Convention is our main event and provides the stage for BWIJ members to meet and connect on a personal level. This event fosters career enhancement and personal development related to life in Japan. BWIJ aims to create a space for fellowship, networking, and business support while celebrating the diverse sisterhood of the African diaspora and Japanese culture.
We’re looking forward to having you there. If you are interested in being a sponsor, speaker, or vendor, don’t hesitate to get in touch with us at bwijgroup@gmail.com. Refer back to this page for the latest information on sponsors, speakers, and vendors!
2026 Program overview
01
Keynote lecture
Leading specialists in multiculturalism, diaspora studies, gender studies, and related fields.
02
Research Presentations
Interdisciplinary presentations by BWIJ members on lived experience, cultural practice, identity, and well-being.
03
Workshops & Roundtables
Professional development, Japanese cultural literacy, international diaspora trends, and community resilience sessions.
04
Archival & Visual Exhibit
Display of BWIJ research, event history, survey findings, and media coverage, including The Japan Times.
05
Networking & Cultural Program
Dinner, social events, and optional cultural experiences connect attendees from across Japan and beyond.
Pre-Event Dinner
Location: The Hungry Moose Bar & Restaurant
Date: 6/26/2026 Time: 18:00 – 21:00
Join us for the pre-event dinner at The Hungry Moose Bar & Restaurant. We’ll be meeting from 18:00 – 21:00! RSVP is free, just come and meet other conference attendees! We can’t wait to have you there!
2026 Program overview
01
Keynote lecture
Leading specialists in multiculturalism, diaspora studies, gender studies, and related fields.
02
Research Presentations
Interdisciplinary presentations by BWIJ members on lived experience, cultural practice, identity, and well-being.
03
Workshops & Roundtables
Professional development, Japanese cultural literacy, international diaspora trends, and community resilience sessions.
04
Archival & Visual Exhibit
Display of BWIJ research, event history, survey findings, and media coverage, including The Japan Times.
05
Networking & Cultural Program
Dinner, social events, and optional cultural experiences connect attendees from across Japan and beyond.
Event speakers and their workshops
Learn more about the workshop descriptions and time slots here.
Aisha Fukushima
“Mostly Water: Writing Belonging Into Being”
Black Culture (Africa & All Diaspora) / Diaspora Identity
Alison Rodgers
“Start with the Problem: A Founder’s Roadmap from Concept to Capital”
Business, Tech, Finance
Apphia Pereira
“Mas: Intersectionality of culture and self”
Black Culture (Africa & All Diaspora) / Diaspora Identity, Arts, Crafts
Dr. Avril Haye Matsui
“Black Women in Japan: Our Stories”
Black Culture (Africa & All Diaspora) / Diaspora Identity, Experience in Japan
Annette Hayashi
“Seeing Your Time Clearly — Journaling for Mental Strength and Recovery”
Personal Growth and Experience in Japan
Biankah Bailey
“BWIJ Book Club – Special Conference Edition”
Personal Growth, Arts
Brianna Hamamoto
“Regulate & Recharge: Your Dopamenu”
Wellness, Health and Fitness
Claudia Ardin
“Work Culture vs Workers’ Rights: What You Need to Know”
Professional Development
Dee Dee Ohara Blizard
“Rooted in Japan — A Black Women’s Guide to Owning Your Space”
Homeownership, Professional Development
Kara Harris
“Modern Kimono Style for Everyone”
Japanese culture
Miranda Hyder
“Beginners Hip Hop Dance Workshop”
Art, Crafts, Music
Rachel Patterson
“Sister Circle”
Personal Growth
Sasha Hague Seals
“Start with the Problem: A Founder’s Roadmap from Concept to Capital”
Business, Tech, Finance
Skyre R Tinevimdo Chirape
“Architectures of Survival: Weaving Intergenerational Solidarity and Community Care Through the Lived and Scholarly Negotiations of Blackness Amidst Global
Volatility”
Academic Research, Personal Growth & Experience in Japan
Jasmine Boothe-Henry
“Architectures of Survival: Weaving Intergenerational Solidarity and Community Care Through the Lived and Scholarly Negotiations of Blackness Amidst Global
Volatility”
Academic Research, Personal Growth & Experience in Japan
Tia Haygood
“Rooted in Japan — A Black Women’s Guide to Owning Your Space”
Homeownership, Professional Development
Traci S.
“Pursuing Tech and Design in Japan”
Tech, Art, Professional Development
FUJI Level Event Sponsors
We want to give a big thanks to Black Women in Japan 2026 Conference’s Fuji level sponsors. Please click on their logos to go to their websites.
SAKURA Level Event Sponsors
We want to give a big thanks to Black Women in Japan 2026 Conference’s Sakura level sponsors. Please click on their logos to go to their websites.
Event partners & Vendors
We want to give a big thanks to Black Women in Japan 2026 Conference’s partners.
Become an event sponsor!
Black Women in Japan Conferences are only made possible with supporters like you! If you’re interested in supporting us, we have three different tiers that you can choose from. Need more information? You can contact us here.
Taiyou level
¥80,000
- Corporate message and logo on the BWIJ website
- 1st tier recognition with corporate message and the company logo in the convention program
- Full page ad inside program brochure
- Logo placement in the BWIJ Convention publicity materials, including emails, printed flyers, etc.
- Logo placement on the banner and screens in the main area
- Logo placement on sponsor posters outside each room
- Social media recognition
- Welcome bag and raffle inclusion
Fuji level
¥50,000
- Company logo on the BWIJ website
- 2nd-tier recognition with the company logo in the program
- 1/2 page ad inside program brochure
- Company name listed in the BWIJ Convention publicity materials, including emails, printed flyers, etc.
- 2nd tier logo placement on the banner and screens in the main area
- Company name listed on sponsor posters outside each room
- Social media recognition
Sakura level
¥30,000
- Company name listed on the BWIJ website
- 3rd tier recognition with company logo in program
- 1⁄4 page ad in program brochure
- Company name listed on screens in the main area
- Company name listed on sponsor posters outside each room
- Social media recognition
Tomodachi level
¥10,000
- Name listed in event program
- Name listed on website
- Social media recognition
SHIMAI LEVEL
¥3,000-5,000
- Name listed in event program
Taiyou level
¥80,000
- Corporate message and logo on the BWIJ website
- 1st tier recognition with corporate message and the company logo in the convention program
- Full page ad inside program brochure
- Logo placement in the BWIJ Convention publicity materials, including emails, printed flyers, etc.
- Logo placement on the banner and screens in the main area
- Logo placement on sponsor posters outside each room
Fuji level
¥50,000
- Company logo on the BWIJ website
- 2nd-tier recognition with the company logo in the program
- 1/2 page ad inside program brochure
- Company name listed in the BWIJ Convention publicity materials, including emails, printed flyers, etc.
- 2nd tier logo placement on the banner and screens in the main area
- Company name listed on sponsor posters outside each room
Sakura level
¥30,000
- Company name listed on the BWIJ website
- 3rd tier recognition with company logo in program
- 1⁄4 page ad in program brochure
- Company name listed on screens in the main area
- Company name listed on sponsor posters outside each room
Tomodachi level
¥10,000
- Name listed in event program
- Name listed on website
SHIMAI LEVEL
¥3,000-5,000
- Name listed in event program
Why sponsor BWIJ?
Unique, Underserved Audience
Black women in Japan are highly educated, internationally connected, and largely unreachable through standard marketing channels.
Influencer-Multiplied Reach
Beyond 3,000 members and 100+ live attendees, our community includes influencers with combined social audiences in the hundreds of thousands.
BCCJ-Recognized Organization
Nominated in the DEI category at the 2022 British Business Awards by the British Chamber of Commerce in Japan.
Long-Term Brand Loyalty
BWIJ members support brands that show up for their community. Your investment builds lasting goodwill with an influential demographic.
Academic & Community Credibility
This grant-supported symposium carries institutional weight — sponsors are associated with rigorous academic and community programming.
Post-COVID Momentum
First national convention since the pandemic. Attendance interest is at an all-time high — prime moment to be a relaunch partner.
Promotion and in-kind opportunities
You can also support BWIJ by donating non-financial gifts. We’d be appreciative if you are interested in donating goods, services, or expertise. It is a great opportunity to promote your brand to our attendees. If you’re interested in donating, please contact us directly.
Welcome gift bag
(Reach 100+ Attendees)
Every attendee receives a welcome bag. Include product samples, branded coupons, vouchers, or flyers.
Amount requested: 50–100 units. Business cards are included in all welcome bags. Social media publicity across all BWIJ platforms
Raffle Donation
(High-visibility at convention dinner)
Raffle held at the main convention dinner. Your company name and image are featured in the slide presentation during the draw.
Amount requested: 1–10 items. Business card included in all welcome bags. Social media publicity across all BWIJ platforms
Program Booklet Ad
(Printed and digital distribution)
B5 souvenir booklet distributed to all attendees.
- Full page — ¥9,000
- Half page — ¥5,500
- Quarter page — ¥3,000
Ads due by June 10, 2026 (PNG or JPEG format)