On Saturday, April 19, 2008 the Cleveland State University Office of Diversity and Multicultural Affairs will present the 12th Annual Urban Community Forum entitled “Empowering African Americans for Change in our Neighborhoods and Schools,” at the Cole Center for Continuing Education, 3100 Chester Avenue. The event, which runs from 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., is free and open to the public.

Dr. Marc Lamont Hill, Assistant Professor of Urban Education and American Studies at Temple University, will be the keynote speaker. He is one of the youngest members of the growing body of “Hip-Hop Intellectuals” in the country. Dr. Hill has lectured widely and provides regular commentary for media outlets such as the Washington Post, New York Times, Essence Magazine, NPR, CNN, MSNBC, Court TV and Fox News. In 2005, Ebony Magazine named him one of America’s top Black leaders under the age of 30.

Dr. Hill and two panels consisting of members of the community will discuss Civic Engagement, Crime, Economics, Community Cohesiveness, Family, Church, Mentoring, Safety, Academic Achievement, Parental Empowerment, Truancy, and Hip-Hop Culture.

One set of panelists will discuss “Empowering African Americans in our Neighborhoods.” This panel will include James Tribble, Chief Probation Officer, Cuyahoga County Juvenile Court; Nina Turner, Councilwoman in Cleveland - Ward 1; Dr. Carol Phillips-Bey, Associate Professor of Math at CSU; Ronald Beckett, CSU student; and Pastor Jeff Sanders - Community of Faith Church. The moderator will be Dr. Mittie Davis Jones, Director, Urban Child Research and Associate Professor, Urban Studies at CSU.

Dr. Hill will be the moderator for the second panel discussion entitled “Empowering African Americans in Our Schools.” Panelists will include Ronald Kisner from the Cleveland Metropolitan School District; Sherree Ray, Principal - Ginn Academy; Jonathan Lykes, Shaw High School student – Youth Voices for Justice; Timothy Roberts from The B.R.I.C.K. program; and Charneice Holmes, parent representative.

All are invited to hear, share and network with people and groups that are making political, social and educational change now. Continental breakfast and lunch will be provided. Registration is required by April 16, 2008.

For more information or to register, contact the Office of Diversity and Multicultural Affairs: 216.687.9394.

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