UWM hosts fourth annual Summit on Black Male Youth

MILWAUKEE_The UW-Milwaukee African American Male Initiative is hosting the fourth annual Summit on Black Male Youth, Dec. 15-16. This year’s theme is “Black Boys Thriving: Pathways to Success.”

The summit brings together middle and high school students, parents and administrators from Milwaukee and surrounding communities to examine issues challenging young African American men and to identify approaches to academic and personal success.

“There’s such a need right now in the lives of our young black youth – in so many areas – we thought we’d bring them together to listen to their needs and bring professionals to provide them with skills and tools to respond to those needs and concerns,” said James Hill, UWM associate vice chancellor for student life and one of the summit organizers.

“This is the future of not only black Milwaukee, but black Wisconsin.”

Organizers anticipate that nearly 1,400 middle and high school students will participate in this year’s summit.

Two all-day events – Dec. 15 for middle schoolers, Dec. 16 for high schoolers – will offer speakers and workshops on topics including:

  • Financial literacy
  • Police and community relations
  • Conflict resolution
  • The effects of continuous trauma
  • Black Lives Matter
  • College and career readiness
  • Well-being: Eight dimensions of wellness

Conference organizers are looking for men ages 18 and up to volunteer at the summit. For more information, contact Ramona Sledge at rms2@uwm.edu.

To learn more, visit https://uwm.edu/aamaleinitiative/summit2016 or http://go.uwm.edu/2fhqPvS.

The event, which is free, is hosted by the UWM African American Male Initiative.

For more information, contact: Ramona Sledge. rms2@uwm.edu, (414) 229-5834

About UWM

Recognized as one of the nation’s 115 top research universities, UW-Milwaukee provides a world-class education to 26,000 students from 89 countries on a budget of $667 million. Its 14 schools and colleges include Wisconsin’s only schools of architecture, freshwater sciences and public health, and it is a leading educator of nurses and teachers. UW-Milwaukee partners with leading companies to conduct joint research, offer student internships and serve as an economic engine for southeastern Wisconsin. The Princeton Review named UW-Milwaukee a 2017 “Best Midwestern” university based on overall academic excellence and student reviews, as well as a top “Green College.”