Economic, political, educational, social and cultural concerns of the Pan-African community will be discussed at the 32nd annual Pan African Student Leadership Conference Thursday through Saturday, Feb. 21-23, at Minnesota State University, Mankato.
The conference is intended to build student leadership, and to allow scholars, students, professionals and community members to discuss issues that affect African people locally, nationally and internationally.
The conference, in Centennial Student Union, will begin with a Feb. 21 opening session at 9 a.m. A pre-conference observing the seventh annual Somali Cultural Day is Wednesday, Feb. 20.
“Our Individual and Collective Responsibilities” is the theme of this year’s conference, with the goal of building leaders within the Pan-African community.
Scholars speaking and leading breakout sessions include Molefi Asante, the most widely published African-American scholar with more than 65 books and 300 articles about African-American history; El-Kati Mahmoud, lecturer, writer and commentator on the African American experience and the “myth of race”; U.S. Rep. Keith Ellison of Minnesota’s Fifth District; and Alfred “Coach” Powell, Founder, president and CEO of the Human Motivation Council and Human Motivation Circle.
The scholars’ presentations are intended to provide guidance and provoke thought about the roles and responsibilities of effective Pan-African community leaders. Additional workshops by faculty members and student panels will discuss contemporary issues facing Pan-African youth and other young adults.
Other panels, break-out sessions and talks also will address the impact of racist acts, law enforcement, political enfranchisement, spirituality, civil rights, alcohol and drugs in college and other issues.
Students will present papers on several aspects of Pan-African responsibilities, including health, black women in leadership, blacks in higher education, blacks in business, faith communities and student leadership development.
Event organizers hope that discussions of differences in religion, customs and traditions will allow participants to clarify how the Pan-African community can unify its quest for social justice and civil rights.
Friday will be African Dress Day, and the conference will culminate Saturday evening with a talent celebration and a talent ceremony.
General information may be found at www.mnsu.edu/cultdiv/conferences. A schedule of daily events is at http://www.mnsu.edu/cultdiv/programs/africanamerican/conference/schedule.pdf, and registration information is at http://www.mnsu.edu/cultdiv/programs/africanamerican/conference/.
The conference was founded in 1977 by Michael Fagin, vice president for Institutional Diversity at Minnesota State Mankato, with support from Macalester College faculty member Mahmoud El-Kati and community leaders throughout Southern Minnesota. The event is sponsored by the Office of Institutional Diversity and numerous other University and community groups.
Those with a disability who need a reasonable accommodation may call (507) 389-2077 or 711 (MRS/TTY).
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