My First NBASLH Conference: A Must-Attend for Culturally Responsive SLPs
What I Learned at My First NBASLH Conference
This month, I attended my very first NBASLH conference…and I can confidently say it won’t be my last.
Before we get started friend, NBASLH stands for The National Black Association for Speech‑Language and Hearing (pronounced “in‑baz‑la”). And no…you don’t have to be Black to attend.
As a speech-language pathologist, caregiver, and advocate, I’ve attended my fair share of professional events, honestly too many to count… but the NBASLH conference offered something uniquely powerful: a space where cultural humility, clinical excellence, and community care all intersected…with a dash of family reunion vibes sprinkled on top.
Come with me to sunny Long Beach, California for the 47th NBASLH Conference!
What is NBASLH and Why Does It Matter?
The National Black Association for Speech-Language and Hearing (NBASLH) is an organization dedicated to supporting Black professionals and students in communication sciences and disorders. Their annual conference is a vibrant gathering where Black SLPs, audiologists, and allies come together to share research, celebrate achievements, and challenge the status quo in healthcare and education.
“NBASLH’s core mission is to maintain a viable mechanism through which the needs of Black professionals, students, and individuals with communication disorders can be met. Their vision is to be the model for how professional associations address the concerns of diverse populations, not just in speech-language pathology and audiology, but across healthcare and education (nbaslh.org).”
And just to reiterate….you do not have to be Black to attend this conference.
If you’re a clinician passionate about culturally responsive practice… attending NBASLH should be on your radar. This isn't just a professional conference, it's a community movement.
Conference Sessions I Attended (and Loved!)
From the moment the opening session started with “They Not Like Us,” I knew I was home! Music and line dances aside, it was refreshing to see and feel that representation wasn’t a panel or a keynote…it was embedded in every bit of the conference.
Sessions attended:
-
“This session explored findings from perceptual analysis in gender-affirming voice training, highlighting the importance of person-centered approaches in clinical practice. Discrepancies among clients, clinicians, and unfamiliar listeners were discussed, emphasizing the value of incorporating clients’ self-evaluations into management strategies. Practical applications for integrating client perspectives into clinical and educational practices were discussed, providing tools to advance inclusivity and effectiveness in transgender voice care.”
This was a little research heavy for me. It takes me more than a few reads to get through stats in a research article, I enjoy the summary and discussion lol. Students involved in this are doing such incredible work at their university clinic!
-
Speech Pathology is an art and science, yet contributions of the neuroscience behind beauty and art from the emerging field of neuroaesthetics remains largely unexplored across academic, clinical and research spaces in the field. This session will provide an overview of current literature, theoretical considerations, and relevant applications from the field of neuroaesthetics. Future directions for embodying neuroaesthetic approaches ‘for the culture’ that can reimagine the practice and pedagogy of speech-language pathology will be discussed .
I wish this session was longer. It was a lot of important material but felt very condensed into 30 minutes. I’m really interested to see this topic grow in our field.
-
This “keep it in the family” discussion will dive into the topic of internalized oppression and highlight behaviors within the Black community that perpetuate the stratification of our people with a special focus on Black women in the workplace. Participants will be challenged to examine their own traumas, thoughts, beliefs and behaviors to determine ways to combat internalized oppression in order to elevate Black CSD professionals and the Black community.
This session was so healing. It was a really beautiful space of women coming together, sharing, and uplifting. As someone who has had negative experiences at work with other Black women, i learned a lot about the root of these behaviors and ways to combat them in the future.
-
“Four years, five doctors, and countless dismissals later...." These words are the start of many Black women's stories of delayed Parkinson's diagnosis and treatment. This session explores how Parkinson's disease uniquely affects Black women compared to White men, revealing differences in symptom presentation, treatment response, and healthcare experiences. Participants will learn culturally responsive strategies to reimagine service delivery and improve outcomes for this underserved population.”
Excellent session! The presenter even quoted a few people I volunteer with at The Parkinson Council, here in Philly!
-
“Is your patient education truly inclusive? With nearly 90% of U.S. adults having limited health literacy, yet most healthcare materials being written at a high school level, underserved communities face heightened health risks. This interactive session explores patient risk identification, practical tools, and evidence-based strategies for creating accessible health materials. Together, we will transform complex medical information into a patient education handout that reaches various health literacy levels.”
You know I love talking about health literacy so this session was a must for me. I enjoyed the hands-on portion and practicing creating HEPs for different patient profiles.
-
“ In "The Innovative Private Practice Owner," we explore the pivotal role of creative thinking in driving success within the realm of private practice ownership. This dynamic presentation delves into practical strategies and insightful frameworks designed to empower entrepreneurs to develop competence in creative thinking. From fostering a culture of innovation to honing problem-solving skills, attendees will gain actionable insights to unlock their business's full potential.”
While this session was a bit more peds-focused, I enjoyed the brainstorming with everyone on ways to infuse more creativity into our practices. I also got to share some tips on how to get adult clients more engaged with speech therapy. -
“Discover how AI can simplify AAC device customization and improve communication outcomes for diverse populations. Participants will explore real-world case studies, tackle common challenges in customization, and learn practical techniques to integrate AI into their practice.”
Personally I’m a big fan of using AI in practice, so I loved this session. A friend and work colleague hosted this one and gave great real life examples on how to use AI for AAC customization plus we got to practice live!
Why Every SLP Should Attend NBASLH at Least Once
If you're wondering whether this conference is "for you," the answer is yes. Here’s why:
Community-Focused: Other conferences I’ve attended can feel rushed, insanely large, and almost impossible to remember everything you learned. These sessions weren’t too large, felt inviting, easy to navigate, and adequately paced.
You’ll Leave Recharged: If you’re feeling or have ever felt burnout, NBASLH is a great place to remind yourself why you entered this field in the first place.
Representation Expands Your Lens: DEI isn’t a trend, it’s a clinical and ethical must. Seeing and learning from clinicians and researchers who reflect the communities we serve brings nuance and depth to evidence-based practice.
Bonus: First-Time Tips
Say hi to people: The hallway conversations were just as powerful as the sessions. Share, network, ask questions.
Plan your sessions: Have an idea of what sessions you want to attend. I attended 2-3 sessions a day and that felt very manageable. Also map out potential lunch places in the building or nearby (saves you time!). You may want to consider ordering pickup/delivery ahead of time or making reservations to avoid long lines.
Bring business cards or a QR Code: You'll meet a lot of potential collaborators and colleagues. If you’re like me and forgot your business cards, download the HiHello app. It’s a digital business card and allows you to create multiple profiles, which is perfect if you’re a multipassionate like myself. Plus whenever someone scans your code, it automatically emails both of you!
Location (kind of) matters: Personally, I don’t think it’s the end of the world if you’re not staying in the actual hotel where the conference is hosted. I stayed in a hotel about a 8 minute walk away and it was perfect! Consider the season, location, and your shoes.
Book early as a member: To save some coins on your conference ticket, I recommend buying your ticket as early as possible AND becoming a member of NBASLH.
Final Thoughts…
Attending NBASLH isn’t just about continuing education credits. It’s about building a practice rooted in equity, advocacy, and joy. If you’re an SLP who cares deeply about your clients and your community, I can’t recommend it enough.
Have you attended NBASLH or are you planning to? Let me know in the comments or send me a message on IG - I’d love to connect.
Closing Session Group Tik-Tok Dance. I’m in the back row, center in an orange skirt.
