On Saturday, February 19, the seventh annual Uplifting Black Males Convention will probably be held just about below the theme “Elevate Your Voice.” The free convention, which debuted in 2016 and is hosted by Virginia Tech, seeks to create an area of belonging and empowerment for younger Black males.
This yr’s keynote speaker will probably be Dr. Fred A. Bonner II, professor and endowed chair in instructional management and counseling in addition to founding government director of the Minority Achievement, Creativity, and Excessive-Capability (MACH-III) Middle at Prairie View A&M College.
Between 300 and 500 college students, college, workers, alumni, highschool college students, and group members are anticipated to attend the convention, in line with Dr. Kimberly Smith, affiliate vice provost of Scholar Success Initiatives at Virginia Tech. The occasion will happen from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Japanese Commonplace Time.
“The convention is not only for Black males,” added Smith. “It is open to any particular person who desires to assist the educational and social success of Black males.”
This yr’s theme of lifting one’s voice comes from the hymn “Elevate Each Voice and Sing,” which some take into account the Black nationwide anthem.
“It’s a track that displays upon the heritage of African Individuals of their story of the strain between hope and despair,” mentioned Patrick Wallace, assistant director of the Scholar Success Middle at Virginia Tech and a convention organizer. “That is the imaginative and prescient of this convention: educating individuals converse hope in despair, irrespective of the place they’re.”
