Southern to host first annual black student symposium

On Feb. 25 Southern University’s Motivational Speakers Committee in conjunction with the Student Government Association, will be hosting the first ever State of the Black Student Symposium in the F.G. Clark Activity Center.
“The purpose is to reinforce the integrity of black students and to renew their motivation and drive”, said Desherick Boone, a senior criminal justice major from Dallas and committee member, who also serves as co-chair of the event.
According to Boone, the idea for the symposium came during the spring of 2004 when it was proposed to Author Monroe, then Student Government Association president. At that time the idea didn’t seem feasible by Monroe’s administration. In the spring of 2005 the idea was proposed again to the Motivational Speakers Committee who adopted the concept and put it into action.
“This is the first event of this caliber, nothing has been done like this before. Hopefully this event will continue at Southern,” Boone said. “We are expecting one to 2,000 people to attend the event.”
The mission of the symposium is to open a dialog to discuss and communicate with black students across America issues pertinent to the black student and find plausible resolutions.
Topics discussed will range from the passing of civil rights icons, the effects of government’s legislation on HBCUs, to the disparity of black males to females on college campuses and the effect it has on the black community.
Social activist, AME minister, public speaker and leadership trainer Jeffrey Johnson, better known as “Cousin Jeff” from Black Entertainment Television’s (BET) popular hip- hop show Rap City and host of The Cousin Jeff Chronicles, will serve as the moderator for the event.
“Cousin Jeff provides a great service to the African-American Community and its great that he is coming to the symposium,” said Joshua DuBois, a freshman electrical engineering and physics major from Gardena, CA.
The symposium will also feature an open forum for students in attendance to ask questions about subjects that directly impact the black community. A panel of five students from across the country who have been found to be outstanding students who are knowledgeable and articulate will give constructive answers and insight.
A gospel explosion concert will be held at 10:30 a.m. and will feature the gospel choirs of Wiley College of Marshall, Texas Southeastern Louisiana University, McNeese State University, Louisiana State University and Southern University. Poets from the Baton Rouge Poetry Alliance will be featured in between gospel acts.
“Students should come because it will be a very informative and thought provoking and historic event,” Boone said. “They are fortunate enough to have an opportunity to attend right here at home.”
There is no deadline to register; on site registration will be available.