Be a part of the Homecoming!

NorthStar of GIS Homecoming 2025 will showcase the transformative contributions of Black geo-professionals across industries, from supply chain logistics to climate justice. This year’s theme, Standing on Business: Mapping and Exploring Black Impacts Across All Industries, highlights the power of geography and geospatial tools in documenting, amplifying, and celebrating Black excellence in every sector. We invite researchers, professionals, and students to submit abstracts that align with this theme.

• Mapping Power & Resilience – How geospatial tools document, support, and amplify the resilience of Black communities and other historically marginalized groups in the face of political, economic, and environmental challenges.
• Geographies of Opportunity – GIS applications that advance economic mobility, workforce development, entrepreneurship, and equitable access to resources across industries.
• The Business of Data: Equity, Ethics & Ownership – Exploring who controls geospatial data, how it’s used, and how communities can reclaim their narratives and shape more just outcomes.
• Innovating for Impact – Highlighting groundbreaking work in GIS and geography that is driving change in business, public policy, infrastructure, and community development.
• Navigating Uncertain Futures – The role of geospatial technology in helping communities and organizations adapt to social, political, environmental, and economic uncertainty.
• Networks That Work: Building Bridges Across Communities & Industries – Stories of successful collaborations that bring together corporations, nonprofits, government, and communities to advance equity and justice.
• Mapping Joy, Culture & Connection – A much-needed space to celebrate the beauty of Black geographies, cultural preservation, and how communities use place-based knowledge to stay connected and thrive.

Why are we focused on Black communities, students, educators, entrepreneurs, and other professionals?

With your help, we’re seeking to raise awareness of GIS as a field of practice, technology, and career path as well as the impact of GIS on Black people. We want to address this by sharing insights through presentations, maps, workshops, and other sessions during Homecoming.

Submit your abstract to raise your voice and visibility into issues affecting Black communities. Your work could inform and inspire career seekers, students, educators, and professionals.