Black Men's Summit gets its start
Jasmine Mickens
Issue date: 2/10/09 Section: News
Feb. 19 through 21, student leaders have decided that it is time for the Denison community to host its first Black Men's Summit.
All are invited to this occasion, which many hopes will enrich, enlighten and generate dialogue among Denisonians, and youth from Columbus, Newark, and neighboring colleges and universities.
The event kicks off with a Broadway production of Jeff Stetson's play "The Meeting." It presents a fictionary depiction of how the Civil Rights movement may have been different if Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and Malcolm X had actually met to discuss their different philosophies for resisting America's racial hegemonies.
Sessions, presentations, and discussions will be held to illuminate the experiences and adversities of Black male youth and adults. Donterio Porter describes this event as "historic" because,
"No significant conversations have taken place institutionally and on a large scale celebrating who we are and what we bring to the table as individuals in an effort to further develop our gifts, talents, and abilities." Moreover, three prominent Black Male scholars, Shaun Harper, Robin Kelly and Manning Marable, who will engage our community with a field of "groundbreaking" research that has not traditionally been taught in classrooms.
Erik Farley, dean of multicultural student affairs, said, "There is an incredible sense of worth that comes from knowing that your life and experiences merit attention and serious consideration in the academic realm."
This summit aspires to initiate dialogue, and encourage our community to continue these discussions.
"We do not want the action or the conversation to stop after Feb. 22. If it does, our conference was a waste of time, our dollars and our energies would all have been spent in vain, and our contribution to our campus community would be nothing more than wasted space," Porter emphasized.
By and large, all members of the Denison community are encouraged to participate and value this opportunity.
All are invited to this occasion, which many hopes will enrich, enlighten and generate dialogue among Denisonians, and youth from Columbus, Newark, and neighboring colleges and universities.
The event kicks off with a Broadway production of Jeff Stetson's play "The Meeting." It presents a fictionary depiction of how the Civil Rights movement may have been different if Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and Malcolm X had actually met to discuss their different philosophies for resisting America's racial hegemonies.
Sessions, presentations, and discussions will be held to illuminate the experiences and adversities of Black male youth and adults. Donterio Porter describes this event as "historic" because,
"No significant conversations have taken place institutionally and on a large scale celebrating who we are and what we bring to the table as individuals in an effort to further develop our gifts, talents, and abilities." Moreover, three prominent Black Male scholars, Shaun Harper, Robin Kelly and Manning Marable, who will engage our community with a field of "groundbreaking" research that has not traditionally been taught in classrooms.
Erik Farley, dean of multicultural student affairs, said, "There is an incredible sense of worth that comes from knowing that your life and experiences merit attention and serious consideration in the academic realm."
This summit aspires to initiate dialogue, and encourage our community to continue these discussions.
"We do not want the action or the conversation to stop after Feb. 22. If it does, our conference was a waste of time, our dollars and our energies would all have been spent in vain, and our contribution to our campus community would be nothing more than wasted space," Porter emphasized.
By and large, all members of the Denison community are encouraged to participate and value this opportunity.
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