“Build your Brand Seminar” 100 Black Men help students develop Soft Skills

Partnering with 100 Black Men of Metro Baton Rouge and Cox Communications, The Collegiate 100 men of SU held a seminar titled, ìBuild your Brandî on Tuesday in the Cotillion Ballroom. The Seminar focused on soft skills needed in the work place. President of 100 Black Men of Metro Baton Rouge, Michael Victorian, opened the event by thanking those in attendance for coming out. Troy Broussard, Market Director for Cox then told the students to ìtake advantage of being future leaders.î Thereafter, Melanie Harris an employee with Cox Communications gave directions as to how the seminar would go. 
Different tables were set up for the participants and each table had their own subject. The tables were split into communication, teamwork, professionalism, and enthusiasm. As the seminar went on the groups rotated from table to table sharing their thoughts and opinions and learning from each other. Each table was spearheaded by an executive of Cox. Some other things that the students learned were to be professional at all times, have respect, and the importance of listening to your co-Workers. Students also engaged in conversations with each other about having the right tone, and being united with others when working on big projects. Students were encouraged to learn how to network, and were also encouraged to try the social site LinkedIn when interviewing with particular companies.
Most attendees of the seminar were males, who thoroughly enjoyed the event. ìIt was very beneficial especially to black males, I would definitely participate again,î said Michael Lewis, a sophomore civil engineering major from Tallulah, La. Michael Victorian, President of 100 Black Men said he enjoyed the program as well saying ìI believe that the skills these young people have learned today are skills that can enhance their personal career in the near future .î Southern University was the first sponsor of this seminar and collaboration with Cox. Mike Glorioso, Human Resource Director for Cox, who also headed the ìprofessionalismî table stated that he believed the students learned a lot. ìI think that the students were very engaged, the things that we discussed are things that they can take with them to work and at home,î said Glorioso. Cory Henderson, a sophomore mechanical engineering major from Palm Beach, Florida said, ìThis was program was great and especially for my major I can take these tools and really use them.î Current Collegiate 100 President Tony Hunter a senior business management major from Shreveport, La wants the male students of the university to know thereís more to college. ì I believe the program was very beneficial to the students, I think that they see that even though we like to have fun, that we also want to have more professional events as well,î said Hunter. The 100 Black men and Collegiate 100 Black Men plan to host and collaborate with other major companies to provide students with events that will give them valuable lessons and experiences.