When James Garrett became executive director of the Indiana Commission on the Social Status of Black Males, he knew he wanted to make the annual conference more than a meeting to discuss today’s problems ad nauseam. Garrett wanted people to leave ready for action.
“We don’t just regurgitate the statistics and the data,” Garrett said. “We look at what can be done to change the impact of the data. What can we take back to our respective communities and seek to make some movement on to generate progress?”
This year’s conference, “Healing and Inspiring Men of Color” will be 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Oct. 16 at Indiana Government Center South. Usually the conference focuses on adult males. However, the 18th annual conference will address both youth and adults for the first time. Dr. Michael Eric Dyson is the keynote speaker. Dyson also will be a featured participant in the Steward Speakers panel discussion later that day.
While adults develop solutions to issues such as Black male homicides, employment, education and health, sessions for young Black males will focus on civic and community leadership, financial literacy, education and the legislative process. Garrett is especially excited about the financial component. “Redefining Financial Freedom” workshops will run all day during the conference and discuss the importance of banking, budgeting, paying bills on time and how mistakes with money can affect entrepreneurial opportunities as well as the ability to buy a home, rent a car or buy an airline ticket. Garrett expects youth and adult males will receive useful information.
The conference also will feature an education seminar to help young men not only understand the value of education, but how to have success in higher education. In addition, former Colts player Marlin Jackson will discuss the importance of relationship building.
“We would like to think that this conference, ‘Healing and Inspiring Men of Color,’ has something for everyone,” Garrett said.
Contact Editor Oseye Boyd at 317-762-7850. Follow her on Twitter @oseye_boyd.
When: 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Oct. 16
Where: Indiana Government Center South, 302 W. Washington St.
Cost: Advance, $10 youth; $15 adults at Eventbrite.com. Admission on the day of the event, $15, youth; $25 adults.
Highlights from the agenda:
9:30-10:15 a.m. — Insights of the 2018 Legislative Session: Policies that Impact Black Males
9:30-10:15 a.m. — The Building Blocks of Success are Built Upon the Foundation of Relationships, Marlin Jackson, former Colts player.
10:20-11:20 a.m. — Business, Sports, Entrepreneurship, Max Siegel, CEO of USA Track and Field
10:25 a.m.-3 p.m. — Redefining Financial Freedom (workshops are 55 minutes and run throughout the day)
11:25 a.m.-12:15 p.m. — Do Black Minds Matter in Indiana?
1-2 p.m. — Keynote speaker, Dr. Michael Eric Dyson
2:05-3 p.m. — Empower Your Mental Health by Overcoming Post-Traumatic Slave Syndrome.
For the full agenda, visit in.gov./icssbm.
Dr. Michael Eric Dyson will be the keynote speaker during the 18th annual Black Male State Conference.
