The Torchbearer: Illuminating Pathways

The Torchbearer is a peer-reviewed academic journal published by The Hillman Collective, dedicated to uplifting bold, justice-centered scholarship by and for Black women, DEI practitioners, and our allies in the fight for equity and transformation.

We are guided by the belief that research is not neutral—it is a tool for memory, movement, and meaning-making. Rooted in Black feminist traditions and community accountability, The Torchbearer exists to amplify knowledge that disrupts systems, restores truth, and reimagines futures.

We welcome submissions that speak to:

• Racial equity and anti-oppression in education, health, policy, and culture

• Black feminist and womanist thought

• DEI leadership and resistance under scrutiny

• Creative and critical methodologies

• Intersectional analyses in public life, scholarship, and organizing

• Community-centered innovation, healing, and liberation

Each issue is a light in the dark—a continuation of the legacy of those who bore the torch before us and an invitation for those rising now to carry it forward.

Call for Submissions

The Torchbearer publishes on a rolling basis—but at this time, we are not currently accepting new submissions.

We invite you to check back soon or join our mailing list to be notified when the next submission window opens. We welcome contributions including academic articles, policy briefs, thought pieces, case studies, and creative scholarly work from graduate students, independent scholars, and community-based researchers.

Our torch is still burning—thank you for your interest and your brilliance.

About The Hillman Collective

The Hillman Collective is a sanctuary for Black women and DEI practitioners navigating systemic resistance. We believe knowledge is power—but only when rooted in truth, healing, and collective care.