This 10th Annual Black Issues Conference kicks off this tomorrow, Feb. 6 in the Union.
The theme for this year’s conference is “The Talented Tenth,” in memory of W.E.B. Du Bois, an early American civil rights activist. The conference wanted to recognize Du Bois because he believed that a tenth of the African American population would rise above adversity to lead the remaining ninety percent to a better way of living, according to the members of the BIC Committee.
The schedule for events for the conference includes the kick off tomorrow, which will include food, music and open mic at the Union, public workshops on Saturday including a session with the key note speaker, James T. Jackson, and a morning service on Sunday.
Kendra Jackson, the Programming Chair of the BIC believes people should go to the conference because the BIC serves as an academic enhancement.
“It’s important that society is diverse. We need to discuss the issues that black people face, in order to help people in the professional world,” Kendra said.
James T. Jackson, who is called JJ by his former students at the University, started the BIC at the University and is currently a member of the Division of Student Affairs at the University of Toledo, and the director of the African American Student Enrichment Initiatives Office. He has also earned the “Bowling Green State University Dean Jill Carr Award for Outstanding Service to Students” in 2007.
“It is an honor to have JJ at the conference, especially because it’s the 10th, and because he started it,” Kendra said.
Last year over 200 people from the University came to the conference, according to Kendra, a number which doesn’t include the visiting students from universities such as Ball State, Miami University and the University of Toledo.
Examples of some of the sessions students can attend on Saturday include one session on the Obamas called the “Ideal Family,” and a session on Black Greek Life.
Registration for the workshops on Saturday begins at 9:30 a.m. in the Union. For students at the University, the price is five dollars, for kids 12 and under, seven dollars and 10 dollars for students from other universities.
