Black Professionals in International Affairs upcoming events

(Virtual) “KEEPING IT REAL” Series: The Conversations Our Community Needs to Have (Hosted by Professional Development Committee) (08/27/2026)

Thu, 27 Aug 2026 22:30:00 GMT

“KEEPING IT REAL ” Series

The Conversations Our Community Needs to Have

BPIA Monthly Professional Development Series

Every 4th Thursday of the month

Google Meets: meet.google.com/ndw-zwtc-fer

August 27, 2026 | 6:30–7:30 PM ET — Durags, Bonnets & the “Real World”
September 24, 2026 | 6:30–7:30 PM ET — You Work Hard. So What?
October 22, 2026 | 6:30–7:30 PM ET — Maybe They Just Don’t Like You. Now What?
November 26, 2026 | 6:30–7:30 PM ET — Is It Time to Quit—or Are You the Problem?

Series Description

Professional development isn't just about résumés, networking, and landing the next job. Some of the most important lessons about navigating college, careers, and professional spaces are the ones no one formally teaches us.

Keeping It Real is BPIA's monthly professional development series creating space for candid conversations about the realities Black students and professionals encounter as they navigate academic and professional environments.

From cultural expression and professional presence to workplace politics, advancement, conflict, and knowing when it's time to move on, these conversations tackle the questions we often discuss privately—but rarely address openly in professional development spaces.

No corporate jargon. No pretending. Just real conversations, practical guidance, and perspectives you can actually use.

Sessions are held virtually every fourth Thursday of the month from 6:30–7:30 PM ET.

For questions, you can email professionaldevelopment@iabpia.org

Free Legal Guidance For Former Federal Employees Building Small Businesses - The DC Bar Pro Bono Center (09/30/2026)

Wed, 30 Sep 2026 04:00:00 GMT

Free Legal Guidance For Former Federal Employees Building Small Businesses - The DC Bar Pro Bono Center

Small Business Interest Form

Attorney Volunteer Interest Form

Event Details

Many former federal employees in the Washington, DC area are navigating career transitions following the loss of federal employment. While many have leveraged their government expertise to launch or grow small businesses, access to affordable legal guidance remains a significant need.

To help address this gap, the DC Bar Pro Bono Center is exploring the launch of the "Feds Helping Feds" Small Business Clinic Pilot as part of its Small Business Brief Advice and Referral Clinic. If implemented, the clinic will provide free, brief legal consultations to former federal employees interested in starting or growing a small business.

The pilot would be staffed primarily by former federal attorneys volunteering their expertise to support fellow former federal employees. Non-federal attorneys who wish to contribute are also encouraged to participate.

Who Should Participate?

Former Federal Employees

If you are a former federal employee who is starting or growing a small business and would like to receive legal support if the pilot moves forward, we encourage you to express your interest by completing the Small Business Interest Form.

Former Federal Attorneys & Attorney Volunteers

If you are a former federal attorney interested in providing pro bono legal assistance – or a non-federal attorney interested in supporting this initiative – we invite you to complete the Attorney Volunteer Interest Form.

We look forward to building a supportive network where former federal professionals can help one another succeed through accessible legal guidance and community collaboration.

Program Fee - BPIA U.S. Foreign Affairs Leadership Project (10/01/2026)

Thu, 01 Oct 2026 04:00:00 GMT

BPIA U.S. Foreign Affairs Leadership Project - Program Fee

The BPIA U.S. Foreign Affairs Leadership Project is a selective professional development initiative designed to prepare professionals to better understand, navigate, and lead within the institutions that shape U.S. foreign policy.

Selected participants will take part in interactive seminars, working sessions, simulations, practitioner engagement, and readiness assessments focused on political appointments, executive-branch operations, congressional engagement, interagency coordination, policy implementation, leadership, ethics, vetting, and public-service readiness.

Program Administrative Fee

A $75 program administrative fee is required to confirm participation in the program. The fee supports program administration, participant materials, and delivery of the seminar series.

Only individuals formally admitted into the BPIA U.S. Foreign Affairs Leadership Project will be able to complete this payment. Accepted participants will receive a unique promo code with their acceptance materials that is required to access and submit the administrative fee.

At this time, BPIA has reached the maximum number of need-based scholarships available for this cohort, and no additional scholarship assistance is available.

Participation in the Project does not guarantee federal employment, political appointment, placement, or consideration by any presidential campaign, transition organization, administration, or federal agency.

BPIA October First Friday: Shaping the Global Narrative (10/02/2026)

Fri, 02 Oct 2026 22:00:00 GMT

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER

BPIA October First Friday

Join Black Professionals in International Affairs (BPIA) for our October First Friday: Shaping the Global Narrative, an evening of connection, community, and global engagement featuring Hariana Verás Victória and Morgan Bodenarain as our Guests of Honor.

This special edition of First Friday brings together professionals, leaders, students, diplomats, and members of the broader international affairs community to connect, expand their networks, and celebrate the growing influence of African voices and perspectives in media, diplomacy, and global affairs.

Whether you are reconnecting with familiar faces, building new relationships, or joining us for the first time, come experience a welcoming and engaging space where our community comes together and connections continue to grow.

Guests of Honor

Hariana Verás Victória, 2026 BPIA Global Leader in Journalism
Award-Winning Angolan Journalist, Producer & International Correspondent

Founder, Get To Know Africa Corporation

Hariana Verás Victória is an award-winning Angolan journalist, producer, and international correspondent dedicated to elevating African perspectives in global media and international affairs. Based in Washington, D.C., she has reported from major U.S. institutions, including the White House, U.S. Congress, U.S. Department of State, and Pentagon, connecting African audiences with key developments in U.S. foreign policy and global affairs.

Through her journalism and advocacy, Victória has championed greater representation of African voices in international media and more nuanced coverage of Africa and its global relationships.

Morgan Bodenarain, Guest of Honor

Vice President, Government Affairs, Cornerstone Government Affairs

Former Congressional Black Caucus Policy Director and Counsel

Morgan Bodenarain is a government affairs and public policy leader with experience spanning congressional policy, advocacy, and strategic engagement. She currently serves as Vice President at Cornerstone Government Affairs, where her work focuses on navigating the intersection of public policy, government relations, and stakeholder engagement.

Prior to joining Cornerstone, Bodenarain served as Policy Director and Counsel for the Congressional Black Caucus, contributing her legal and policy expertise to the Caucus’s legislative priorities and engagement on issues affecting Black communities. Her career reflects a commitment to public service, effective policymaking, and strengthening representation within the institutions that shape national policy.

Event Highlights:

Networking & Social Mixer: Connect with professionals in foreign affairs and related fields
Inspiring Conversations: Insights on leadership, advocacy, and navigating global challenges
Celebratory Atmosphere: Music, drinks, and a vibrant community
Date: Friday, October 2, 2026
Time: 6:00 PM–8:00 PM EDT
Location: Park at 14th 920 14th Street NW, Washington, DC 20005

[UPCOMING EVENT] Join Us October 21 at 12 PM ET: "Writing for Policy and International Affairs Audiences" (10/21/2026)

Wed, 21 Oct 2026 16:00:00 GMT

Communicating Global Impact: Writing for Policy and International Affairs Audiences

Date: Wednesday, October 21, 2026

Time: 12 – 1:30 PM EDT

Location: Virtual (Zoom)

Effective policy writing is essential to informing decision-makers, shaping public discourse, influencing policy, and advancing ideas in international affairs. Whether writing policy briefs, memos, reports, op-eds, research summaries, or advocacy materials, professionals must be able to translate complex issues into writing that is clear, credible, concise, and purposeful.

Join the Black Professionals in International Affairs (BPIA) for a session of the 2026 Communications Training Series focused on practical approaches to writing for policy organizations and international affairs audiences. This interactive virtual session will explore how to structure policy-focused writing, adapt messages for different audiences, and communicate analysis with clarity and purpose.

What You'll Learn

Participants will learn how to:

Understand the principles of effective policy writing for international affairs audiences.
Structure policy briefs, memos, and other policy-focused communications for clarity and impact.
Translate complex research and policy issues into clear, accessible language.
Write with greater precision, clarity, and concision.
Avoid common policy writing challenges, including jargon, overly complex language, and unclear recommendations.

Whether you are building a communications strategy for a policy organization, supporting advocacy initiatives, or looking to strengthen your professional communications skills, this session will provide practical tools and actionable insights to help you communicate with greater purpose and impact.

We look forward to welcoming you to the first session of the BPIA Communications Training Series as we build the communications skills needed to lead, influence, and drive meaningful change in international affairs.

Ethel Mwedziwendira is the founder of EP Studio, a global communications and publicity studio advising leaders and organizations on executive visibility, crisis, litigation, and high-stakes communications. She has led communications strategy across more than 50 high-profile legal matters, including cases before the U.S. Supreme Court, and advises athletes, executives, and organizations on strategic communications and public positioning.

Her work and insights have been featured in Bloomberg Businessweek and the American Bar Association. Ethel brings extensive experience translating complex and sensitive issues into clear, compelling narratives.

Winter Salons: BPIA Global Philosophy Discussion Group "Is World Peace Actually Possible?" and "Is Democracy Dying, or Simply Evolving?" (10/27/2026)

Tue, 27 Oct 2026 22:30:00 GMT

Upcoming 2026 Global Philosophy Discussions

Big Questions. No Easy Answers.

The BPIA Global Philosophy Discussion Group brings together curious minds to explore difficult questions underneath international affairs, politics, ethics, society, technology, and human behavior. These are guided conversations, not formal debates, and the goal is not to determine who is “right,” but to think more deeply, hear competing perspectives, and question our own assumptions. No philosophy background is required.

Session I: Is World Peace Actually Possible?

Tuesday, October 27, 2026
6:30–8:30 PM ET
Zoom Link: us06web.zoom.us/j/9794618227

Provocation

For centuries, philosophers, political leaders, religious thinkers, and diplomats have imagined a world without war. Yet violence between groups has persisted across nearly every period of human history.

So what does that tell us?

Maybe war is a political failure that humanity can eventually overcome. Or maybe conflict is built into human nature, competition for power, identity, resources, and the international system itself.

And even if we could eliminate war, would that actually mean we had achieved peace?

Questions We’ll Explore

Is lasting world peace realistically possible, or is conflict an unavoidable part of human society?
What would “world peace” actually mean: no war, no violence, justice, equality, or something else?
Can there be peace without justice?
Is violence primarily caused by human nature, political systems, inequality, ideology, or competition for power?
Do powerful states actually have an incentive to create a peaceful international order?
Would lasting peace require stronger international institutions, shared global values, or even some form of world government?
Can societies eliminate war without eliminating disagreement?

The Big Closing Question

If the only way to guarantee world peace were to create a global government powerful enough to prevent countries from going to war, would you support it?

Session II: Is Democracy Dying, or Simply Evolving?

Thursday, December 10, 2026
6:30–8:30 PM ET
Zoom Link: us06web.zoom.us/j/9794618227

Provocation

Democracy is often treated as both a political system and a moral ideal. Yet around the world, democratic institutions face declining trust, polarization, political violence, misinformation, technological disruption, and the rise of leaders willing to challenge traditional democratic norms.

But perhaps democracy is not dying at all.

Maybe citizens are questioning institutions that no longer represent them. Maybe democratic participation is changing. Maybe what looks like democratic decline from one perspective looks like democratic transformation from another.

This raises a more uncomfortable philosophical question: What exactly are we trying to preserve when we say we want to “save democracy”?

Questions We’ll Explore

Is democracy actually in decline, or are democratic institutions simply changing?
What makes a society genuinely democratic?
Is voting enough?
Can a democracy legitimately elect an authoritarian leader?
What happens when the will of the majority conflicts with individual rights?
Does democracy require citizens to share certain basic values?
Can democracy survive extreme polarization and distrust?
Should democratic institutions ever limit what citizens are allowed to choose in order to protect democracy itself?

The Big Closing Question

If citizens freely vote to dismantle democratic institutions, should a democracy respect that decision?

Discussion Purpose & Ground Rules

The Discussion Group is designed as a space where people can question, challenge, probe, and respectfully disagree. Consensus is not the goal. Intellectual curiosity is. BPIA’s published discussion norms emphasize challenging arguments rather than people, allowing others to finish speaking, respecting the facilitator and speaking order, making room for different perspectives, asking questions in good faith, and remaining open to having your own views challenged.

Participants are expected to:

Challenge ideas and arguments, not individuals.
Allow others to finish speaking without interruption.
Respect the facilitator and established speaking order.
Make space for different perspectives and lived experiences.
Ask questions in good faith and remain open to having your own views challenged.
No personal attacks, harassment, discriminatory remarks, or intentionally demeaning language.

Disagreement is welcome. Intellectual curiosity is expected. Respect is required.