Rose State College gears up to host 1st Black Male Initiative Summit Published February 20, 2017

Midwest City, Okla. –The first Black Male Initiative Summit will be held on the Rose State College campus on March 7^th from 5pm to 9 pm in the campus student center. Organizers are expecting dozens of students and community members to attend the event.

The Rose State College Brothers and Sisters in Action Organization along with the college  G.R.A.D. Center (Graduation Retention Advocacy and Diversity),  and Office of Degree Completion and Student Retention are co-hosting the summit themed “Reviving Our Roots: The Cultivation of African-Americans in Education”.

Originating at the University of Denver in 2010, the Black Male Initiative Summit (BMIS) provides an opportunity for Black men to discuss the need for healthy male role models, higher education, and leadership in today’s political and social climate.

Speakers for the summit at Rose State include Johnathan Solomon, Assistant Dean of Students at Oklahoma Baptist University; Representative Mike Shelton, State Representative Anastasia Pittman, Dezz Lewis, Foundation Director & Donor Relations at Rochester Community Technical College; and Captain Ron Bacy of the Oklahoma City Police Department.

Given that BMIS is designed to increase awareness and knowledge around the tools and best practices needed to support young Black men, the summit provides the Rose State College G.R.A.D. Center the opportunity to present its new mentoring program for African American males. Other topics listed on the agenda include Manhood and Leadership, Racial Identity, Supporting Women of Color, Political & Social-Action in America and Justice Against Police Brutality.

Please go to rose.edu/bmi to register for the event.  The event is free to Rose State College students and faculty. A $15.00 fee will be requested of all Non-RSC attendees. Payment can be made with cash, credit card, or money order.  

Those who are unable to attend the summit, but are interested in mentoring or being a mentee, are asked  to contact the G.R.A.D. office at 405.733.7332 or email ealvarez@rose.edu.