Men of Color Leadership Conference expected to draw about 150 students

They will talk candidly about leadership and education opportunities. They will talk about socio-economic issues, and how race and gender can affect opportunities -- as men of color. \nA group of multi-ethnic men will attend the third annual Men of Color Leadership Conference on Saturday at the Neal-Marshall Black Culture Center to discuss a range of issues affecting minority men.\nThe conference targets concerns related to African-American, Asian-American, Hispanic and American-Indian men, according to an IU news release. Some of the workshops will focus on leadership, cultivating cultural awareness and improving self-image. \n"We want to create a venue to talk about issues that impact them, empower them, and so then they can return to their communities and use those skills," said Patrick Smith, director of the Faculty and Staff for Student Excellence Mentoring Program.\nSome of the topics that will be discussed are immigration, media portrayals of male minorities, coalition, relationships between men and women, academic excellence and networking.\nThe conference strives "to empower them with the skills and knowledge needed to foster academic success; establish a support network; support the goal of graduation; and improve personal achievement by influencing leadership through representing unity and a commitment to the collective betterment of humankind," according to the Men of Color Leadership Conference mission statement.\nSmith said that the turnout of the upcoming conference is promising.\n"We are expecting between 100 and 150 people," he said. "They won't all be IU students -- they will come from all over Indiana. Some will be from Morgan State University in Maryland, Savannah State in Georgia and Eastern Illinois University."\nSmith said that over the years, registration has been steady, pulling in between 150 to 200 participants each year.\n"This year we are setting the cap at about 150," he said.\nParticipants from the conference will not only benefit from networking opportunities and educational skills from various speakers, educators and professionals, but will also be able to take home conference material.\n"Participants will be able to take home a souvenir bag, IU-related items, as well as have access to materials presented by speakers," Smith said.\nCivil-rights activist Juan Andrade Jr., president of the U.S. Hispanic Leadership Institute, will be the keynote speaker at the conference.\nIn addition, the Commission for the Status of Black Males will present a report at the conference.\nSmith noted that sponsorship for the conference will allow some participants to attend the conference at no cost.\n"We understand that the $50 fee may be difficult for college students, and we are grateful that our sponsors and supplementary resources were able to help students," he said.\nFor more information on the Men of Color Leadership Conference, visit www.indiana.edu/~moc.