Capturing the Story behind Inclusive STEM Education

Overview

The American Association of Colleges and Universities (AAC&U) is a national leader in higher education reform, advocating for inclusive excellence and equity-centered practices across campuses nationwide. Their programming supports faculty, institutions, and students in creating more just and innovative learning environments—especially in STEM.

To elevate the voices shaping the future of STEM education, AAC&U asked Black Digital to capture the depth and energy of their Transforming STEM Higher Education conferences. With a focus on storytelling, they aimed to showcase thought leadership in action and build a library of dynamic content that could support ongoing outreach and engagement.

The Challenge

AAC&U needed to bridge a gap between in-person energy and digital storytelling. Their goal was to transform keynotes, panel discussions, and hallway conversations into lasting, accessible content that reflected the community-driven spirit of their STEM conferences. The videos needed to feel authentic, emotionally resonant, and aligned with their DEI mission.

Our Solution

Our approach centered on capturing people, purpose, and perspective. At two national conferences, our lean but experienced video team embedded with attendees, educators, and keynote speakers. We captured on-the-ground interviews, behind-the-scenes footage, and powerful moments from plenary sessions.

We approached each edit with intentionality—ensuring that what viewers saw and heard reflected AAC&U’s long-standing commitment to equity in education. Drawing inspiration from documentary-style storytelling, we transformed live moments into evergreen content that can be used across channels and seasons.

Deliverables

• A high-impact sizzle reel capturing the spirit of the conferences
• Individual speaker highlight videos optimized for social media and email
• A branded, searchable library of short-form content for year-round engagement

Client Impact

The final video suite is now embedded in AAC&U’s content strategy, supporting event promotion, speaker outreach, and digital storytelling across multiple channels. These assets not only extend the life of their conferences, but also reinforce AAC&U’s position as a leading voice in equitable STEM reform.