New Mexico State University will host a summit later this month that aims to empower and promote success among men of color – especially in higher education.
The Men of Color Summit will be the first conference of its kind hosted in New Mexico for men from minority groups. Open to Aggies and community members of all backgrounds, the event will take place April 26 on NMSU’s Las Cruces campus. It will feature various speakers from Las Cruces and beyond who will deliver remarks and workshops related to the summit’s theme, “Empowerment Though Unity: Celebrating Diversity.”
“Our summit serves as an important space for dialogue, empowerment and action, aimed at addressing the unique needs of men of color while promoting their well-being and success in various spheres of life,” said Patrick Turner, associate vice president of Student Academic Success and founder of NMSU’s Men of Color Initiative. “We hope to promote empowerment, foster community building, and provide resources and support for personal and professional development.
The summit is a collaboration between NMSU’s Student Success Initiative, the New Mexico Office of African American Affairs and the New Mexico Public Education Department – which collectively sought to create a platform for dialogue, learning and networking among men of color and the diverse community of New Mexico.
The conference will bring together several prominent figures, including nationally recognized speakers and youth mentors.
Las Cruces Mayor Eric Enriquez will be among the first speakers. Derrick Lewis II, a field manager for the NAACP’s Youth and College Division, will deliver the first of two keynote speeches. Lewis supports more than 700 NAACP Youth and College units actively involved in securing civil rights and advancing social justice. Abraham Sculley, a mental health specialist who travels across the country on a mission to eradicate mental health stigma, will give the second keynote speech.
“Our goal is to provide valuable insights, inspire personal growth and build a strong support network for all attendees,” Turner said.
Other scheduled speakers will present breakout workshops that cover a range of topics such as leadership skills, health and wellness, entrepreneurship, arts and creative expression, Black futurism, and STEM education and careers.
These speakers include: Michael Baty, professional learning coordinator for the New Mexico Black Education Act; Dr. Temitope Ade-Oshifogun, a family medicine doctor in Las Cruces; Ana Cristina Vargas and Carlos Cuesta, both of Arrowhead Center; Kimberly York, a licensed mental health therapist; Eric House, an assistant professor of English at NMSU; Tim Green IV, a culture change leader for the city of Albuquerque; and Raymond Berry III, a research scientist at the University of North Texas Health Science Center in Fort Worth, Texas.
“We want people to leave empowered,” Turner said. “We’re coming from an asset-based approach, and we want people to feel that they have a voice and that they can take this information back to their communities, schools and organizations.”
Turner, who has conducted research on males of color and their trajectory in higher education, is particularly interested in reaching high school students. He said research shows that male students of color typically encounter school challenges as early as the third grade, and those issues usually persists throughout their school careers, leading to low confidence and strained relationships with education.
“That’s why we want 10th-, 11th- and 12th-graders there to connect them with college folks to start having a healthy relationship with education,” he said. “They'll be able to talk to professors, business owners and experts from various fields. We are trying to help reframe the narrative before they walk through our doors.”
The summit will take place from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. in the Corbett Center Student Union ballrooms on NMSU’s Las Cruces campus. Students, staff and faculty from all backgrounds and ived experiences are encouraged to attend. The summit is free to attend, but registration is required. A meet-and-greet mixer will take place from 7 to 10 p.m. April 25 at Aggie Lounge in Corbett Center Student Union.
For more information, contact Turner at 575-646-7926 or mocisummit@nmsu.edu.
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CUTLINE: New Mexico State University will host the Men of Color Summit April 26 to empower and promote success among men of color. The conference is open to Aggies and community members of all backgrounds. (Courtesy)