Hip hop artist Common is featured speaker at Black Male Summit

The University of Akron will host its third annual Black Male Summit April 9 and 10 at the Student Union to bring awareness to critical issues in higher education for young black men. Themed “Charting Your Legacy,” 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 hip hop and its cultural effects; black male identity development; the importance of mentoring; male/female relationships; entrepreneurship; public policy; and black male college success.

Presenters will include Grammy Award-winning hip hop artist and activist Common, who will deliver the lecture, “Common Ground: Empowering African American Males;” Dr. Joseph White, professor emeritus of psychology and psychiatry at the University of California, Irvine, who will speak about “Major Psychological Challenges Facing Black Males;” and Randy Mims, marketing and personal manager to LeBron James and partner in LRMR Marketing, who will talk about “Achieving Success.”

“The University of Akron’s third Black Male Summit, ‘Charting Your Legacy,’ 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 March 26. For the full schedule of events, or to register, visit Black Male Summit, call 330-972-6446 or e-mail BMS@uakron.edu.

Media contact: Sarah Lane, 330-972-7429 or slane@uakron.edu.