2019 Sankofa Summit

Sankofa Summit Web Banner

March 19, 2019

Stockton's Sankofa Retention Initiative (SRI) seeks proposals for concurrent sessions on March 19, 2019. This year, SRI welcomes proposals relating to the theme: “Advancing the Achievement of College Men of Color.”

The Summit is a conference for students, faculty and administrators interested in understanding the plight of men of color in higher education. This is a campus symposium coordinated on behalf of Sankofa (Men of Color Retention Initiative.)

Keynote

2:30 PM, Campus Center Event Room
Featuring Dr. John E. Gray, Assistant Dean of Education at Stockton, will lead a community discussion about men of color in higher education.

Program and Workshops 

9:00 AM—9:15 AM

Campus Center Meeting Room 5

Welcome Remarks

Dr. Christopher Catching, Vice President, Division of Student Affairs

 

9:15 AM—9:45 AM

Campus Center Meeting Room 1

The School to Prison Pipeline for Black Men in America

Ryan Taylor, Tyler Groth, Paul Rosar, & Robert Murphy

This presentation will examine the school to prison pipeline, and how many young Black males across the country find themselves in prison right after they graduate school. The presenters will be discussing the early lives of Black males in different school systems in America. The presenters will compare and contrast public versus private school systems, and how they influence the future of Black males.  This presentation will additionally explore the success of Black male high school graduates.

 

9:15 AM—9:45 AM

Campus Center Meeting Room 2

Insight into the World of Myths

Corinne Shustyk, Julia Garin, Kelsey Berlin, Tiffany Reed

This presentation will review the history behind racial stereotypes of Black men in the United States. Black men are described by negative images due to racial stereotypes, which leads them to believe that they are marginalized as men of color. Their mental health can be affected by these stereotypes and they live their lives trying to disprove the negative stereotypes that have described their identities.

 

9:15 AM—9:45 AM

Campus Center Meeting Room 3

African American Men: The Backbone To Their Success

Shadirah McCrae-Drummond

This presentation will evaluate how having a strong moral support system from family members and friends can push Black men in and out of college to work harder for their future success. These family members and friends can help financially, spiritually, and emotionally. While seeing the potential in these young Black men even when they have lost hope to try.

 

9:50 AM—10:20 AM

Campus Center Meeting Room 1

Help Yo'self, Before You Wreck Yo'self!

London Shields, Marion Kitchens, Crystal Black

Health and wellness of Black men begins with self-care and knowledge. Many Black men have a history of growing up not knowing how to cope with their emotions and expressing themselves thoroughly.  The biggest components to their health and well-being is having full control of their lifestyles by better understanding their mind, body, spirit, soul, and loving relationships.

 

9:50 AM—10:20 AM

Campus Center Meeting Room 2

The Education Gap: Rich and Poor

Wellington Torres

This presentation will evaluate the discrepancy in curriculum, graduation rates, and overall culture in schools throughout different urban and suburban cities in America. The presenter will examine why there are differences and explain solutions to close the education gap in areas highly populated by men of color.

 

10:30 AM—11:00 AM

Campus Center Meeting Room 2

Gender Roles of Black Men In Family and Relationships

Kayla Miller, Kayla Rivera, Ebony Fleming, and Camryn Weaver

This presentation will examine gender and gender roles of Black men in their families and personal relationships. Society has created its definition gender and this presentation will share what these traditional gender roles really mean for Black men's authentic expression of gender.

 

10:30 AM—11:00 AM

Campus Center Meeting Room 1

Black Male Psyche and the Media

Pearce Bramao

This presentation will address the effects of the media has on the Black male psyche and how the media determines how the rest of society/the world looks at Black men. This presentation will also address the impact that masculinity has on Black men and how they feel they must carry themselves in society.

 

11:10 AM—11:40 AM

Campus Center Meeting Room 1

Adjustments for Criminal Justice Reform

Elaine Peterson

Throughout this presentation, the criminal justice system will be examined. It is detrimental that as a nation we adjust sentences given to inmates and further assist them after being released from jail. Currently in our country we have men and women serving years in justice facilities due to nonviolent crimes and furthermore, being stranded, unemployed, and homeless, with a criminal record preventing any advancement for countless colored individuals.

 

11:10 AM—11:40 AM

Campus Center Meeting Room 2

Black Men Vs The Media

Anthony Davis

The media has affected Black men for decades. Oftentimes when Black men in media   because they been killed, arrested, or portrayed violently by society. Because of these negative portals, Black men endure social marginalization, police brutality, job discrimination, and criminal institutionalization. This presentation will discuss how media continues to negatively stereotype Black men as violent, uneducated, and other negative connotations in society.

 

12:30 PM—1:00 PM

Campus Center Meeting Room 5

Totality

Darius W. Edwards, Stockton University

This presentation will explore identity development as it relates to college aged men of color. Often this population is taught the strict societal instructions and guidelines of how to be and what it means to be a black and brown man. These restrictions are so stifling that exploration of their total selves - their interests, likes and dislikes, comfortabilities, aspirations, etc. - do not happen until long after undergraduate matriculation, if at all. The presenter will speak from personal experiences, share research around this topic, and encourage attendees to unlearn and challenge the societal views that keep minority manhood and masculinity in a box. My hope is that all will begin the journey of being their full selves and embracing the totality of their identities.

 

1:10 PM—1:40 PM

Campus Center Meeting Room 5

Our Men Need MORE…My thoughts on the Importance of Mentorship

Michael Forest, Atlantic Cape Community College

Mentorship is something that is needed in today's society regarding our young men of color.  Statistics show that when young men have a mentor, their path to success is a much easier path to navigate.  Relationships and connections are key to helping our young men not only attend college, but to graduate and become leaders in our communities. Our communities are equipped to help our young men succeed. MORE connections, MORE relationships will lead to MORE success stories in local and surrounding communities.

 

1:10 PM—1:40 PM

Campus Center Meeting Room 4

I Grew Up Black

Jason Martin

This presentation will explore the life through the eyes of a young Black boy. Using a narrative approach, this presentation will examine the everyday problems, obstacles, and scenarios that this boy will encounter and face due to him growing up Black. A wide range of sub-topics will be covered, which include his education, economic status and struggle, family atmosphere, personal relationships, sexual orientation, work environment, as well as day-to-day pressures and interactions with his peers.

 

1:10 PM—1:40 PM

Campus Center Meeting Room 3

Men of Color and Their Role in Shaping the Black Family

Kee Cooper

This presentation will focus on relationships men of color have with others within the household and how they shape their relationships with the "outside" world. This presentation will explore various circumstances that negatively impact their family such as, domestic violence, drug addictions, parental absenteeism, low income/financial hardship, and patriarchal influences. This presentation will also highlight positive roles that men of color contribute to the family and society.

 

1:50 PM—2:20 PM

Campus Center Meeting Room 5

Poster Presentations

The Media and its Portrayal of Black Me—Nisa Stockley

New Evolution of Black Men—Khadijah Potts

Black Men in the Media—Kayla Baylor

Cool Posing & Code Switching: A Coping Mechanism—Soraya Dezilme

 

1:50 PM—2:20 PM

Campus Center Meeting Room 4

Leap of Faith

Ahmad Shepherd-Sloan, Quentin Jennings

Young Black men face unique challenges on their journey from high school to college as well as entering the workforce. High school graduation rates for Black teens have risen, but college graduation rates are extremely low. There are myriad factors Black male students face while working towards their degree, including the overall cost of higher education and limited personal support to navigate academia. In response to racial and social challenges, Black men often cool pose or code switch to use as an effective method to succeed. This presentation will help with effective planning, analyzing job choices, and reinforcing belief in oneself. These are vital tool to postgraduate success.

 

1:50 PM—2:20 PM

Campus Center Meeting Room 3

Black Men in the Eyes of the Media

Anaiah Lewis, Dylan Pepperman

This presentation will display how Black men are at a disadvantage and portrayed in a negative light in the media in comparison to other men. This presentation will expose how the media portrays men over the years and how the media continuously portray Black men negatively, promoting racism and stereotypes.

 

1:50 PM—2:20 PM

Campus Center Meeting Room 2

The Identity of Black/Latino Men in STEM

Enrique Rodriguez

This presentation will examine why there is a lack of men of color in STEM/Science programs at Stockton and other American colleges and universities. The presentation will also reflect upon how Black/Latino males are impacted by the media. The presentation will offer recommendations in how to limit the gap of men of color advancing in collegiate STEM/Science programs.

 

2:30 PM (Campus Center Theatre)

Keynote Speaker

Dr. John E. Gray, Assistant Dean of Education, Stockton University. Author of the newly release book, Quitting Was Not An Option: A Journey Of Perseverance and Resilience

 

** Book Signing Immediately following keynote.