Sept. 18, 2026.
Virginia General Assembly
Real solutions from people doing the work
A one-day conference for the practitioners, educators, leaders, mentors and advocates advancing boys and men. Focused on what is working and how to do more of it.
The educators, program leaders, social workers, clinicians, coaches, mentors, educators and fathers who have been advancing boys and men for years. The Virginia Blueprint brings them together to share what works and leave with a plan and a new community.
Three numbers Virginia can act on.
in the nation for the fourth-grade reading gap
The widest gap between girls' and boys' reading scores of any state. 2024, NAEP grade 4.
NAEP 2024, NCESof U.S. undergraduates are men
A shrinking share of higher education nationwide. 2021, national.
AIBM, Degrees of Differenceof Virginia suicide deaths were men
In 2022, 1,211 Virginians died by suicide. Help is available 24/7 at 988.
Virginia DBHDS, 2025Behind every number, Virginians are already responding. The Virginia Blueprint Summit gathers them. See the full data
President, American Institute for Boys and Men
Author of Of Boys and Men and the leading voice on the policy case for boys and men.
Speaker of the Virginia House of Delegates, D-88
Supporter of the Virginia Advisory Commission for Men and Boys
Virginia House of Delegates, D-21
Chief patron of HB1188, the bill that created the nation’s first commission for boys and men.
We are confirming a bipartisan lineup of practitioners and leaders.
Get notified →One track, one room, one purpose. A full schedule with session titles and times is coming soon.
Morning
Doors, welcome, and the opening keynote
Setting the frame: where Virginia leads, and why it matters now.
Midday
Working sessions
Education, fatherhood, health, and workforce, led by the people doing the work.
Afternoon
Solutions showcase
Programs that work, and how to bring them home to your community.
Close
Commitments and next steps
Leave with a plan, not just notes.
Written into Virginia state code and independent of any governor, the Virginia Advisory Commission for Men and Boys is the first such legislatively created, permanent U.S. body serving men and boys.
This landmark legislation passed with bipartisan margins and was signed by Governor Spanberger in 2026. The first legislative report is due October 2026.
House · HB1188
91–6
passed the House of Delegates
Senate · SB447
36–0
passed the Senate
A nonpartisan, statewide network of organizations and leaders, committed to a goal that men and boys’ unique qualities are recognized and their struggles are supported, for the benefit of all.
Nearly 50 studies on how boys learn and grow, led by Dr. Kimberly Hudson.
An early childhood education center building a pipeline of male ECE teachers.
$1,000 grants and year-round support to bring fathers into K-12 schools.
Put us out of business. Make father engagement and school presence normal and boring.
Emma Johnson, Dads at School
I’m proud to roll out Dads at School, a new nonprofit that supports K12 father engagement through year-round support and $1,000 grants.…
HB1188 passed both House and Senate! From today’s press release from sponsor Delegate Josh Thomas: Richmond, VA – Today, the Virginia General…
In this issue: Virginia’s Boys and Men Advisory Commission update Center for the Study of Boys gathers Richmond boys/men leaders Choros: App…
Seats are limited. Tickets are handled securely through Givebutter.
Before you go
Not ready to register? Stay on the list for speaker announcements and summit updates. No spam.
✓ You are on the list. Talk soon.
Something went wrong. Please try again, or email emma@vaboysandmen.org.
