Who am I?” is the question that crosses the mind of many black males today as they struggle to fight against negative stereotypes.
“I am one who perseveres,” says Calvin Carter, a third-year engineering student at The University of Akron who serves as a Summit ambassador to high school students. “We struggle through this. We then have to make sure everyone around us makes it through as well.”
Hear how others answer the question
The influences of media, culture and sports on black male identity makes up the social dialog of The University of Akron’s eighth annual Black Male Summit, taking place April 10-11 at the John S. Knight Center and on campus. Students will join with educators, policy makers, athletes, media and entertainment stars, nonprofit and business professionals to network and share success stories and strategies.
Dr. Michael Dyson
There’s never been a more appropriate time to examine the media influence on black male identity. The summit brings in award-winning journalist and television news host Dr. Marc Lamont Hill to speak on the impact of negative stereotypes in the news. Steven Kniffley Jr. and Ernest Brown Jr. from Wright State University examine images of black manhood in their presentation “The Big Scary Black Man: Black masculinity, the media, and the development of the black male psyche.”
Overcoming stereotypes
Successfully transitioning the black male athlete from high school to college – and overcoming media stereotypes of black athletes as "dumb jocks” – gets featured from personal points of view. Attendees will hear from Maurice Clarett, who helped lead his Ohio State football team to a national championship in 2002, and Jalen Rose, an ESPN analyst and former NBA star, and how they faced life-changing issues. Dr. Brad Conn leads a forum titled “The Stereotype of the African-American Male Athlete: Removing the Dumb Jock Stigma.”
Maurice Clarett
Experts also will examine the representation of black men in films, literature and music. Keynote speaker Dr. Michael Eric Dyson will connect civil rights identity to hip-hop culture while forging links between older and younger Americans, and actor/activist/educator Lamman Rucker speaks openly about the influence media had on his life and career. Founder and president of Third World Press, Dr. Haki R. Madhubuti will talk about the inspiration found in a strong African-American literary tradition.
In addition to these prolific speakers from around the nation, the summit will present a screening of “Finding the Gold Within,” an independent film that follows six students through their college experiences. Workshops and multimedia presentations by filmmakers, musicians, directors and artists will further address the critical role culture plays in molding a masculine identity.
Mentorship matters
Personalized curriculum and mentorship is a major premise for black male success. Educators from all over the country will present programs and solutions that have worked in their schools and communities. Dr. Damon A. Williams, senior vice president for the Boys & Girls Clubs of America, will share his philosophy on academics and leadership. Dr. Frederick Gooding Jr. from Northern Arizona University leads three sessions, including “The Genius of Hip Hop: Rhyme and Reason in the Classroom.”
Dr. Marc Lamont Hill
New this year is the presentation of Black Male Summit Legacy Awards, founded to honor the trailblazers who have made a significant contribution to the African American community. The 2015 honorees are: The Honorable Judge Randolph Baxter, former Chief Judge of United States Bankruptcy Court; Dr. Ronald J. Fowler, a theologian and educator; Professor Jon Onye Lockard, a working artist and educator; Dr. Joseph L. White, professor of psychology and psychiatry. Learn more at BMS Legacy Awards.
Summit events include more than 60 panel discussions, breakout sessions and workshops. The full list is available online. Public admission (registration required) to the Black Male Summit is $50 and includes meals for both days. UA students attend free of charge; non-UA students pay $25 with valid student ID; UA faculty and staff can attend for $12.
For more information and to register, visit Black Male Summit online.
Story by Tyeal Howell
Media contact: Lisa Craig, 330-972-7429 or lmc91@uakron.edu.