Early Bird Savings End July 17!


CUBE has convened school board members from across the nation for the past 59 years to network and share the continually evolving strategies they are using to address the unique educational challenges that exist in our nation's urban centers. Content is curated specifically to provide you with the tools and support you need to effect change as an empowered, impactful urban school board member. 

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Keynote Speakers

Linda Cliatt

Linda Cliatt-Wayman
Author and Education Leader
Former Assistant Superintendent of High Schools & Former Principal

Linda Cliatt-Wayman is a nationally recognized motivational speaker, education leader, and author with an unwavering belief in the potential of every child. Her transformative leadership as a high school principal in North Philadelphia has been featured on NPR’s “TED Radio Hour,” “ABC World News Tonight,” and “Nightline.” Raised in poverty in North Philadelphia, Cliatt-Wayman experienced firsthand the systemic injustices faced by students in underresourced schools. She has dedicated her life and career to ending educational inequity and ensuring all students — regardless of zip code — have access to opportunity, excellence, and hope.

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Kareem Weaver

Kareem Weaver
Co-Founder & Executive Director
FULCRUM

Kareem Weaver is the Co-Founder & Executive Director of FULCRUM, an Oakland-based literacy nonprofit with a national presence. Weaver is an award-winning educator and community advocate with extensive experience leading schools and systems in district, juvenile justice, and managed-care settings. His advocacy is featured in the 2023 documentary The Right to Read. Weaver began his career in the classroom. He taught grades spanning elementary to high school before becoming an administrator and later joining New Leaders as an executive director. 

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Tim Wise

Tim Wise
Educator and Author on Perspective,
Power, and Institutional Culture

Tim Wise is among the most prominent anti-racist writers and educators in the United States. He has spent the past 25 years speaking to audiences in all 50 states, on over 1,500 college and high school campuses, at hundreds of professional and academic conferences, to dozens of corporate, government, entertainment, media, law enforcement, military, nonprofit, and medical industry professionals about issues of systemic racism and methods for dismantling racial inequity in their institutions. 

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Schedule-at-a-Glance (as of April 3, 2026)

Wednesday, Sept. 30

3 – 6 p.m. Early Registration

Thursday, Oct. 1

7:30 a.m. – 5 p.m. Registration
7:30 a.m. – 5 p.m. NSBA Member Lounge
7:30 a.m. – 5 p.m. NSBA Bookstore & Sponsor Activation Stations
8 – 11:30 a.m. Site Visits
9 – 10:15 a.m.  First-Time Attendees Session
10:30 – 11:45 a.m. Breakout Sessions
Noon – 2 p.m. (Doors open at 11:45 a.m.) The State of Urban Education Luncheon
2:15 – 3:30 p.m. Breakout Sessions 
3:45 – 5 p.m. Keynote Presentation
5 – 6 p.m. Speed Networking

Friday, Oct. 2

7:30 a.m. – 5 p.m. Registration
7:30 a.m. – 5 p.m. NSBA Member Lounge
7:30 a.m. – 5 p.m. NSBA Bookstore & Sponsor Activation Stations
8 – 8:30 a.m. Brewing Better Boards: Coffee Networking Break
8:30 – 9:45 a.m.  Breakout Sessions
10 – 11 a.m. (Doors open at 9:45 a.m.) Transforming Public Education Plenary
11:15 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. Breakout Sessions
12:30 – 2:30 p.m. (Doors open at 12:15 p.m.) Champions of Urban Education Awards Luncheon and Keynote Presentation
2:45 – 4 p.m. Breakout Sessions 
Time TBD CUBE Urban Night Out (UNO)

Saturday, Oct. 3

7:30 a.m. – Noon Registration
10 a.m. – Noon (Doors open at 9:30 a.m.) The Urban Education Amplified Breakfast & Keynote Presentation

Registration Fees

Registration

 Registration Deadline CUBE Districts/NatCon Districts/Member State Association Staff Districts in A Member State General (Non-CUBE Districts/Non-NATCON Districts/Non-Member Associations)  Corporate Guest*
Early Bird Before July 17 $575 $625 $699 $1,500 $125
Standard After July 17 $750 $800 $875 $1,500 $125
Onsite After Sept. 24 $899 $899 $899 $1,500 $125
One-day Pass (must be purchased onsite) Beginning Oct. 1 $350 $350 $350 N/A N/A

*A guest registration grants access to CUBE Urban Night Out (UNO) only. Your guest must purchase a registration if planning to attend sessions, networking meal events, and CUBE Urban Night Out (UNO).

Conference Information

Nominate your choice to receive the highest awards honoring urban school board members and districts who are advancing innovations and closing opportunity gaps in their communities. The Council of Urban Boards Education (CUBE) will recognize winners during CUBE 2026. The nomination deadline is July 15. If you have questions, please email memberservices@nsba.org.

Marriott Marquis Chicago

Address: 2121 S Prairie Ave, Chicago, IL 60616

Phone: (312) 824-0500

Airports

  • Chicago Midway International Airport (MDW) is the closest airport to the hotel, located approximately 10–12 miles away. Travel time is typically 20–30 minutes depending on traffic conditions.
  • O'Hare International Airport (ORD) is located approximately 20–22 miles from the hotel, with typical travel times of 35–60 minutes depending on traffic conditions.

Getting to the Hotel
Rideshare services such as Uber and Lyft, as well as taxis, provide direct service to the Marriott Marquis Chicago.

Estimated one-way rideshare fares:

  • From MDW: $25–$45 
  • From ORD: $35–$75 

Fares vary based on traffic conditions, demand, and time of day.

Public Transportation (CTA)
The Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) provides an affordable option for travel throughout Chicago, with a standard fare of $2.50 per ride using the Ventra system.

The hotel is accessible via the Green Line at the nearby Cermak–McCormick Place station, which provides direct service to downtown Chicago and surrounding areas.

Request for refunds of the conference registration fee (minus a $150 service fee) can be honored only if made in writing to NSBA at memberservices@nsba.org no later than September 12, 2026.   No refunds will be honored after that time.  Before cancelling, we strongly encourage you to consider substituting someone in your place.  

If you cancel your registration past the deadline, you are still responsible for the full unpaid balance. Any invoices that remain unpaid will be sent to collections, and the ability to register for future NSBA events will be suspended until the outstanding balance is resolved.