Conference to bring together 'men of color'

Senior Dallas Easton is alarmed at the incarceration rates for men of color compared to the rates of black men pursuing higher education. He's encouraging men of color to be role models and wants to provide them with the necessary tools to be leaders within the community. \nEaston founded and organized the Men of Color Leadership Conference, which will be held Friday and Saturday. Participants at this second annual conference will discuss "role modeling through community engagement."\nThough focusing on men of color, including African Americans, Asians, Latinos and Native Americans, Easton said the conference is open to all. Because of space limitations, participants must register by noon Friday.\nDiversity Educator Eric Love said there are about 180 students registered, including women and white participants. He said the conference will teach leadership skills anyone can use.\nEaston said all men of color must come together as a group to exchange experiences and realize many of them are facing similar challenges. Tywan Martin, outreach specialist for the Faculty and Staff for Student Excellence, agreed. \n"If we solidify, then we can have a stronger stake in what's done and how our communities can progress," he said.\nEaston said students from historically black universities Savannah State in Georgia and Morgan State in Maryland are expected to attend the conference this weekend. \n"The problem is not just at IU," Martin said. "Young men of color are experiencing similar things no matter where they are, so we want to invite them to set the tone for other universities."\nIndianapolis Public Schools Superintendent Eugene G. White will be the keynote speaker Saturday. Rebecca Bibbs, assistant director of school and community relations at Indianapolis Public Schools, said she thinks White agreed to speak so he can encourage students to be leaders.\n"A lot of people feel African-American males don't have the opportunities in broader society (that others have)," Bibbs said. "This superintendent has held himself out as someone who wants to lead students in the community ... he has been able to achieve quite a bit in spite of his circumstances."\nEaston said in honor of Veterans Day Friday, participants will honor local veterans of color to "recognize them for their military contributions and honor for enduring the social injustices of the times."\nOn Saturday, participants will listen to speakers and split into smaller conference sessions to discuss topics like cultural identity and assimilation, homophobia in communities and incarceration rates.\nMartin said he hopes conference participants walk away with the message that it's up to them to help their community. \n"Men of color are falling through the cracks," he said. "We don't want to tape up the cracks, we want to build it up so that others don't fall through. This conference should provide the tools to do that"