2026 Blackyard Collective
National Conference
Friday, October 9th - Monday, October 12th
Tahquitz Pines Retreat, Idyllwild, CA
Imagine 100 Black queer and trans people from across the country gathering under one roof — resting, laughing, loving, and dreaming together. Imagine a weekend where our beauty is celebrated, our stories are centered, and our spirits are nourished.
That’s the vision of the first-ever Blackyard Collective National Conference — a sacred space for healing and homecoming, for solidarity and storytelling, for joy and rejuvenation. It will be the first national gathering of its kind, designed to build lasting networks of care and leadership among Black queer people who are creating change in their own communities every day.
The Blackyard Collective National Conference is a groundbreaking gathering designed to celebrate, connect, and empower Black queer and trans people across the country. Rooted in joy, healing, and collective liberation, the conference will bring together Black queer and trans people in recovery from all across the country to deepen our recovery from the grip of addiction and alcoholism. This is OUR homecoming — a space where our brilliance is centered, our voices are amplified, and our future is imagined TOGETHER.
PAYMENT OPTIONS AND DETAILS
REGISTER EARLY to receive premium accommodations.
Registration closes September 1st.
Registration is $500 and includes: Lodging, meals, programming, and bus transportation (LA to Idyllwild).
Pay in Full: Submit full payment to reserve your spot.
Pay Half: Pay $250 immediately and $250 by August 1st.
RSVP Only, Pay Later: Pay a non-refundable deposit and remaining balance in installments by August 1st
Financial Hardship (RSVP Only): Apply for a 50% discount or full scholarship (notification by July 1, 2026).
Fundraise Your Registration: Launch a Facebook/Instagram fundraising campaign.
✈️ Time to Book Your Flight
If you have already registered for the 2026 Blackyard Collective National Conference, now is a great time to secure your airfare.
Current roundtrip airfare from the New York City area (JFK, LaGuardia, and Newark) to Los Angeles is averaging around $400, though prices will vary depending on your departure city, airline, and booking date. We encourage attendees to begin monitoring fares and booking flights as soon as possible, as prices often increase closer to the conference.
Arrival Requirements
To ensure you can take advantage of conference transportation to Idyllwild and participate in opening conference activities, please schedule your flight to arrive at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) no later than 11:00 AM on Friday, October 9, 2026.
Departure Requirements
Conference programming concludes on Monday afternoon. Please schedule your return flight to depart from LAX no earlier than 4:00 PM on Monday, October 12, 2026.
Airport Transportation
The Blackyard Collective will provide scheduled transportation between LAX and the conference site in Idyllwild. Additional details regarding shuttle schedules and pickup locations will be shared in the coming months.
Travel Tips
• Book early. Airfare is typically less expensive several months in advance than it is closer to the travel date.
• Set fare alerts. Google Flights, Kayak, Hopper, and other travel apps can notify you when prices change.
• Double-check your arrival and departure times. Flights arriving after 11:00 AM on Friday or departing before 4:00 PM on Monday may not align with conference transportation schedules.
• Consider a carry-on bag. Traveling light can make airport transfers and shuttle transportation easier.
• Coordinate with other attendees.Many participants will be traveling from the same regions and may be interested in sharing airport time or connecting before departure.
We are excited to welcome you to California for this historic gathering of Black queer and trans people in recovery. Thank you for registering—we can't wait to be in community with you this October.
The Blackyard Collective is a registered 501(c)(3) organization (Federal Tax ID # 88-3641425) and all donations are tax-deductible to the extent allowable by law.