AKRON, Ohio, March 15, 2011 — The University of Akron will host its fourth annual Black Male Summit Friday, April 8 and Saturday, April 9 at the Student Union to bring awareness to critical issues in higher education for young black men. With expected attendance of more than 1,000, the summit will identify challenges and provide solutions to promote success academically and in the community.
The two-day event – free to UA students, faculty and staff – is open to the public for $40. Nationally recognized speakers, education leaders, experts and students will address topics such as the success of urban prep academies; black male identity development; the importance of mentoring; male/female relationships; entrepreneurship; public policy; and black male college success.
Presenters will include Tim King, founder, president and CEO of Urban Prep Academies, who will speak about "The Success of Urban Prep Academies"; Dr. Joseph White, professor emeritus of psychology and psychiatry at the University of California, Irvine, who will speak about "Challenges Facing African-American Males: Setting and Implementing Clear Goals"; entrepreneur Farrah Gray, who will speak about "Empowering African-American Males and Entrepreneurship"; and Eric Troy, marketing expert, who will speak about the future of promotions for African-American men. Orrin "Checkmate" Hudson, chess champion and founder of BE SOMEONE, whose work was just featured on CNN (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HY77Bwe-p7Y), will also do a workshop on "Winning Moves to Succeed in Life."
"The University of Akron's fourth Black Male Summit will convene students and educators from across the country as well as community members and the faith-based community to learn about best practices and strategies to increase the engagement, retention and graduation rate of African-American males as well as tools and strategies to aid in empowering them to chart their legacy," says Fedearia Nicholson, director of UA's Office of Multicultural Development.
The deadline for registration is April 4. For the full Black Male Summit schedule of events, or to register, visit , call 330-972-6446 or e-mail BMS@uakron.edu.
ABOUT THE UNIVERSITY OF AKRON
The University of Akron is the public research university for Northern Ohio. The Princeton Review listed UA among the "Best in the Midwest" in its 2008 edition of Best Colleges: Region-by-Region. Serving nearly 28,000 students, the university offers approximately 300 associates, bachelor's, master's, doctoral and law degree programs and 100 certificate programs at sites in Summit, Wayne, Medina and Holmes counties. For more information, visit http://www.uakron.edu.
Contact: Sarah Lane, 330-972-7429, Email
ABOUT BE SOMEONE
BE SOMEONE is an Atlanta-based 501(c)3 non-profit organization that focuses on helping youth, particularly at-risk youth, in the community discover their potential and learn the skills necessary to win in any situation. Since BE SOMEONE opened more than a decade ago, thousands of children have proven to themselves and others that they can achieve anything they set their minds to by learning the game of chess. For more information on the BE SOMEONE program, visit http://www.besomeone.org.
Contact: Janice Davis, 678-526-0292
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