OpenSSF Community Day North America 2026

The OpenSSF BEAR (Belonging, Empowerment, Allyship, and Representation) Working Group is on a mission to make cybersecurity a place where everyone belongs! We knock down barriers and crank up the volume for underrepresented voices. We've learned that true representation is about building fun, lasting paths for participation.

In this session, we'll take you on a journey through the evolution of BEAR, culminating in the exciting launch of our newest global family member, SIG OpenSSF Africa (Open Source Security Foundation Africa)! We'll share some insights and "Aha!" moments from our monthly Community Office Hours - including those unexpected successful strategies - and get honest about the triumphs and challenges of our mentorship program.

Looking to level up your community game? Whether you want to understand the real-world challenges facing diverse groups in security or just need some practical, battle-tested frameworks for building vibrant community programs, this session is your toolkit. Get ready for an open, fun look at building a truly inclusive open source security community!