Inaugural Midwest Black Man’s Think Tank next weekend at IU South Bend

Pilgrim, Madhubuti to speak

Haki Madhubuti is the director of the Gwendolyn Brooks Center of Chicago State University. An advocate of independent black institutions, he founded the Third World Press in 1967 and established the Institute of Positive Education in Chicago, a school for black children, in 1969. He is the author of 19 books.

Organizers are hoping to bring together all those interested in supporting black men in their communities. Special topics for African-American pastors and sessions on relationships, health and wealth issues, and “racism inoculation” also are planned. In addition to Hoosier participants, representatives from Michigan, Illinois, Ohio and Missouri are expected to attend.

Highlights of the event will include a workshop by David Pilgrim, professor of sociology and curator of the Jim Crow Museum of Racist Memorabilia at Ferris State University at Big Rapids, Mich. He will speak at 4:30 p.m. Feb 7 in Room 1001, Wiekamp Hall. A post-Kwanzaa African fair and feast will follow.

David Pilgrim, curator of the Jim Crow Museum of Racist Memorabilia

The breakfast keynote speaker Feb 8 at 8 a.m. at Northside Hall will be poet and author Haki Madhubuti, director of the Gwendolyn Brooks Center of Chicago State University. An advocate of independent black institutions, he founded the Third World Press in 1967, and established the Institute of Positive Education in Chicago, a school for black children, in 1969. He is the author of 19 books. A lunch at noon will be followed by small group sessions.

On Feb. 21, an Educating Children of Color conference will take place at Wiekamp Hall from 3:30-6:30 p.m. Speakers will include Ed Bradford, principal of Lincoln Elementary School; Sharon Jones, principal at Studebaker Elementary School, and Sylvia Schweizer, bilingual education specialist at Harrison Elementary. Among the goals of the conference is the promotion of interaction between K-12 educators and higher education faculty. Break-out sessions with faculty will follow the lectures.

An Educating Children of Color conference is planned Feb. 21

All events are free but attendees must register with the Office of Student and Community Relations at IUSB, telephone 576-237-6535 or via the Web site below. Additional information is available from Charlotte Pfeifer, telephone 574-237-6536. Think Tank registrations must be received by Monday (Feb. 3) and for the conference by Feb. 16. http://www.iusb.edu/~cdiverse/