Welcome to the 2026 Region I Fall Regional Conference

Greetings Region I, On behalf of the Region I Executive Board and Conference Planning Committee, it is my absolute pleasure to welcome you to the 2026 National Society of Black Engineers Region I Fall Regional Conference in Albany, New York from November 19-22, 2026. This year's conference theme, Beyond the Blueprint, in line with the annual convention theme Engineering with Intent, is both a challenge and an invitation. As engineers, we are often taught that there is a blueprint for everything - a process to follow, a problem to solve, a design to optimize. Yet some of the greatest innovations happen when we are willing to think beyond what has already been drawn. Engineering has never been confined to laboratories, classrooms, or technical specifications. It shapes healthcare, education, entrepreneurship, public policy, the arts, and entire communities. The blueprint may teach us how to build, but it is our imagination and our courage that determine what we build next. On a personal note, my own journey has continually reminded me of this. During my time at Harvard University, I studied Biomedical Engineering alongside the History of Science. At first glance, these disciplines may seem worlds apart - one rooted in designing the future, the other in understanding the past. Yet together they transformed how I think about engineering. I came to realize that technology never exists in isolation. Every innovation is shaped by history, culture, ethics, and the people it is meant to serve.

As Black engineers, scientists, and technologists, we bring perspectives that are uniquely our own. Our lived experiences allow us to recognize problems that others may overlook, ask different questions, and imagine solutions that are more inclusive, equitable, and impactful. That perspective is not simply valuable, it is essential. My hope is that this conference serves as a space where you embrace that perspective. Throughout this weekend, I encourage you to challenge conventional thinking, explore career paths you may have never considered, engage in meaningful conversations, and build relationships that will extend far beyond these few days. Whether you are attending your first Fall Regional Conference or your tenth, I hope you leave with a broader understanding of what engineering can be and a renewed confidence in the role you can play in shaping its future. Beyond the Blueprint is more than this year's theme. It is a reminder that your career does not have to follow someone else's design. Your background, your experiences, your creativity, and your community all contribute to a blueprint that is uniquely your own. Thank you for joining us for what promises to be an inspiring weekend of learning, innovation, leadership, and fellowship. I look forward to meeting each of you and witnessing the incredible ideas and collaborations that will emerge throughout the conference. With Passionate FIYAH,
Onovughakpor Otitigbe
Fall Regional Conference Planning Chair
2026-2027 Region I Executive Board