The NAACP believes strongly that future leaders must be developed to-day, and such development is ongoing in the Youth & College Division, created in 1936. Today there are more than 30,000 young people repre-senting 600 Youth Councils, High School Chapters and College Chapters actively involved in the fight for civil rights. The NAACP has one of the largest organized groups of young people of any secular organization in the country. MISSION The mission of the NAACP Youth & College Division shall be to inform youth of the problems affecting African-Americans and other racial and ethnic minorities; to advance the economic, education, social and political status of African-Americans and other racial and ethnic minorities and their harmonious cooperation with other peoples; to stimulate an appre-ciation of the African Diaspora and other people of color’s contribution to civilization; and to develop an intelligent, militant effective youth leader-ship.

VISION Developing a New Generation of Leadership

ISSUES Students have always been at the forefront of most major social move-ments. From the Civil Rights Movement of the 60’s to the anti-apartheid movement of the 1980’s, student activism has forced society and the world to change. NAACP Youth Councils, High School Chapters and Col-lege Chapters all across America are engaged in social justice activism addressing issues at the local, state and national level.

Contact us at naacp@utk.edu or visit us at Contact us at naacp@utk.edu or visit us at Contact us at naacp@utk.edu or visit us at

http://web.utk.edu/~naacp

Get Involved with the NAACPGet Involved with the NAACPGet Involved with the NAACP

Dr. Marc Lamont Hill is one of the leading hip-hop generation intellectuals in the country. His work, which covers topics such as hip-hop culture, politics, sexuality, education and religion, has ap-peared in numerous journals, magazines, books, and anthologies. Dr. Hill has lectured widely and provides regular commentary for media outlets like NPR, Washington Post, Essence Magazine, and New York Times. He is currently a political con-tributor for Fox News Channel, where he appears regularly on programs such as The O’Reilly Factor, Huckabee, and Hannity. Prior to joining Fox News, Dr. Hill was a regular guest on CNN, MSNBC, and CourtTV. A nationally syndicated columnist, his writing appears weekly in Metro Newspapers. His award-winning daily blog is updated on his web-site, www.MarcLamontHill.com. Since his days as a youth in Philadelphia, Dr. Hill has been a social jus-tice activist and organizer. He is a founding board member of My5th, a non-profit organization devoted to educating youth about their legal rights and re-sponsibilities. Dr. Hill also works closely with the ACLU Drug Reform Project, focusing on drug informant policy. In addition to his political work, Dr. Hill continues to work directly with African-American and Latino youth. In 2001, he started a literacy project that uses hip-hop culture to increase school en-gagement and reading skills. He also continues to organize and teach adult lit-eracy courses for high school dropouts in Philadelphia and Camden. In 2005, Ebony Magazine named him one of America’s top 30 Black leaders under 30 years old. In Fall 2009, he joined the faculty of Columbia University as Associ-ate Professor of Education at Teachers College. He also holds an affiliated fac-ulty appointment in African-American Studies at the Institute for Research in African-American Studies at Columbia University. Dr. Hill is the author of Beats, Rhymes, and Classroom Life: Hip-Hop Pedagogy, and the Politics of Identity and the co-editor of Media, Learning, and Sites of Possibility and The Anthropology of Education Reader. He is currently completing two manuscripts: Knowledge of Self: Race, Masculinity, and the Politics of Reading; and You Ain’t Heard It From Me: Snitching, Rumors and Other People’s Business in Hip-Hop America. Trained as an anthropologist of education, Dr. Hill holds a Ph.D. (with distinction) from the University of Penn-sylvania. His research focuses on the intersections between youth culture, identity, and educational processes. He is particularly interested in locating various sites of possibility for identity work, resistance, and knowledge pro-duction outside of formal schooling contexts. Particular sites of inquiry include hip-hop culture, urban fiction, and African-American bookstores.

Marc Lamont Hill

The Charlie Lemmons Keynote SpeakerThe Charlie Lemmons Keynote Speaker

UT Black Alumni Association

Vice President of Equity and Diversity

Commission for Blacks

Conference SponsorsConference Sponsors

Office of Equity and Diversity

AMERICAN PROGRAM BUREAU

ARAMARK

CAREER EXPO EMPLOYERS

CONFERENCE ATTENDEES

CONFERENCE SPONSORS

CAMPUS AND COMMUNITY VOLUNTEERS

WORKSHOP PRESENTERS

UT GRAPHIC ARTS

DR. MARC LAMONT HILL

THE 4 ENT

THREADS

CAROLYN P. BROWN MEMORIAL UNIVERSITY CENTER

Special Thanks To Our PartnersSpecial Thanks To Our Partners The Charlie Lemmons EndowmentThe Charlie Lemmons Endowment

Conference Schedule At A GlanceConference Schedule At A Glance

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NotesNotes

50th Anniversary Celebration50th Anniversary Celebration

In 2011, The University of Tennessee, Knoxville begins a yearlong celebration honoring the first

African-American undergraduate students and the rich legacy of African-American achievement cam-

pus-wide.

In July 1960, Theotis Robinson, Jr. applied for ad-mission to the University of Tennessee, Knoxville.

On January 4, 1961, Robinson, along with two other African-American students, Charles Edgar Blair and Willie Mae Gillespie, gained admittance and began classes. The doors of UTK's Graduate School were opened for African-Americans eight years earlier with the admission of Gene Gray in

1952.

This landmark celebration will honor all individu-als involved in the desegregation of the university. It will also recognize the vast accomplishments of African-Americans during the past fifty-plus years,

chronicling both triumphs and struggles. As the university pauses to recognize this historic mile-stone, it also looks forward to the next fifty years

of African-American achievement.

SESSION I 9:30 a.m. SESSION I 9:30 a.m. -- 10:30 a.m.10:30 a.m.

Pursue Your Interests with Undergraduate Research at UTKPursue Your Interests with Undergraduate Research at UTK Presenter: Sharon Sweetser Pound, UT Office of Research UC Room 221 A variety of research and creative opportunities exist for undergraduate students. However, many students are unclear about the possibilities. This presentation will define undergraduate research and creative activities here at UTK; explore the benefits for students, faculty and the institution a large; and review what is possi-ble and how to get involved. Fit Club: Tackling Health Issues in the Black CommunityFit Club: Tackling Health Issues in the Black Community Presenter: Samantha Stewart, UT Student UC Room 225 Of all African-American women 20 years of age or older, 51% are clinically obese and 43% have hypertension. HIV/AIDS is the leading cause of death for men ages 35-44. “Soul foods” depending on fats, sugars, and sodium for flavor contribute to a multitude of cardiovascular problems. Major mental illnesses such as depression have been widely ignored in the Black community for years. In this session, we will take a look at several aspects of the African-American lifestyle: eating & exercise habits, sexual tendencies & practices, and the ways African-Americans cope with stress. By the end of the session, we will develop a list of things we will change in our personal lives and share with our families and communities to create a health-ier Black community for the present and future. Leadership 101: 50 Years and Now What?Leadership 101: 50 Years and Now What? Presenter: Dominique Copeland, UTC Student UC Room 226 Leadership 101: 50 years and Now What? This presentation will discuss the every-day guide for leadership for college students. We will look at African-American Leadership from desegregation until now on campus and how it applies to today’s student leaders. What’s in YOUR Wallet ?: The Money Management SimulationWhat’s in YOUR Wallet ?: The Money Management Simulation Presenters: Knoxville Alumni & Mu Rho Chapters of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc.

UC Room 227 We all know the saying: Money makes the world go ‘round. It is no secret that a major part of achieving the American dream is through wise financial decisions. However, with the increasing costs of college education, students are graduating with more debt than ever before. In this session, attendees will participate in a post-graduation simulation where their financial decision-making will be put to the test. This will be a segment of the conference that attendees will definitely re-member.

Black Issues Conference WorkshopsBlack Issues Conference Workshops

You Know Black People Don’t…You Know Black People Don’t… Presenters: Colber Prosper and Earl Coleman (UT Graduate Students) UC Room 235 This interactive session will examine some of the historical foundations of African-American identity; while challenging the perceptions and expectations of ¨acceptable behavior.¨

SESSION IISESSION II 10:45 a.m. 10:45 a.m. -- 11:45 a.m.11:45 a.m.

Black Empowerment through Understanding Black HistoryBlack Empowerment through Understanding Black History Presenter: Dr. Cynthia Fleming, UT Faculty Member UC Room 221 This workshop will explore the questions of what African-American History is and under what circumstances it was introduced to the University of Tennessee's cur-riculum during the Black Power Era (1969). What is its significance to today's Afri-can-American students? Law Enforcement and Race RelationsLaw Enforcement and Race Relations Presenters: Chief Gloria Graham and Lieutenant Meshia Thomas, UTPD UC Room 225 "Know your rights"- this presentation explores the subject of Modern Law Enforce-ment and Race Relations. This interactive program facilitates the opportunity to take a historical overview of the Police and the community’s relationship, discuss current perceptions, expectations, and your rights with local Law Enforcement Officials. #Trending Now: Why Black Folk Need to be in Therapy#Trending Now: Why Black Folk Need to be in Therapy Presenter: Samantha Lynn Gray, UT Doctoral Student UC Room 226 Despite evidence that mental health problems (ranging from very mild to severe) affect all people, the rates of minorities engaged in personal psychotherapy have remained low throughout the past few decades. Historically, minorities have tended to devalue the importance of mental health, and stigmatize therapeutic in-terventions. This session will focus on why we need to shed the stigma surround-ing mental health issues, and detail where we’ve been, where we are, and where we need to head in term of opening ourselves to self-exploration within the realm of psychotherapy. Also learn about how our physical health is intertwined with our mental health; thus, we cannot be holistically healthy without caring for both. If you’re human, you need to sit in on this session!

Black Issues Conference WorkshopsBlack Issues Conference Workshops

Tanisha JenkinsTanisha Jenkins Conference Co-Chair Minority Student Affairs

Katrina Dorse DIVA Opals

Cynthia Fleming Faculty Member

Kevin Guice Black Cultural Programming Committee

Camille Hall Commission for Blacks

Charles Houston Black Faculty & Staff Association

Avery Howard Student Government Association

Courtney Jennings National Association of Black Accountants

Jonathan Kinnard Minority Achievement Program

Anderson OldsAnderson Olds Conference Co-Chair National Association for the Advancement of Colored People Ferlin McGaskey Graduate Student, Higher Education

Phyllis Moore Alumni Affairs

Ashleigh Moyer Student Activities

Karlescia Perkins National Association for the Advancement of Colored People Stella Bridgeman-Prince Student Success Center

Stephen Smith National Association for the Advancement of Colored People

Tony Smith National Association for the Advancement of Colored People

Conference Planning CommitteeConference Planning Committee

The Black Issues ConferenceThe Black Issues Conference

The Black Issues Conference began in the spring of 2006 at the University of Ten-nessee and was developed out of a need to increase campus wide awareness about the issues affecting the Black community. The original concept was developed by Tierney Bates, then Assistant Director of the Office of Minority Student Affairs. A group of dedicated students, faculty and staff committed to the empowerment of black students and the education of the University of Tennessee community, worked to create the University of Tennessee Black Issues Conference. This conference now serves as an annual forum where students, faculty, staff and community assemble for professional development, to share research, and engage in dialogue about all aspects of the Black community. The Black Issues Conference continues that legacy and unites over 300 participants for an impactful day of ex-citing intellectual engagement. Now in its sixth year, the conference has become a tradition at the University of Tennessee campus, and a highly anticipated event for the university, Knoxville and the southeastern United States.

PPASTAST KKEYNOTEEYNOTE SSPEAKERSPEAKERS Black Issues Conference 2006: Shelby County Mayor A.C. Wharton Black Issues Conference 2007: BET’s “Cousin” Jeff Johnson Black Issues Conference 2008: “The Apprentice” winner Randal Pinkett Black Issues Conference 2009: Hip-Hop Legend MC Lyte Black Issues Conference 2010: Entrepreneur & Author Marshawn Evans Black Issues Conference 2011: Educator & Activist Dr. Marc Lamont Hill

SAVE THE DATE

7TH ANNUAL BLACK ISSUES CONFERENCE SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 4, 2012

ARE YOU INTERESTED IN SERVING ON

THE BLACK ISSUES PLANNING COMMITTEE?

CONTACT US AT BIC@UTK.EDU TO GET INVOLVED!

Vote or Die: The Power of the Black VoteVote or Die: The Power of the Black Vote Presenters: Stephen Smith and Harlin Miller, UT Students UC Room 227 The progress of Blacks in America can, in many ways, be attributed to the advance-ments made by gaining the right to participate in the political process. From estab-lishing equal opportunities in housing to leveling the playing field in the work-place, the quality of life we as African-Americans enjoy today would not be possi-ble if those before us did not fight for the right to vote. However, today’s Black America exhibits great apathy when it comes to voting on all levels. Most, when asked about their political views and/or affiliation, cannot clearly articulate the differences between Conservative and Liberal, Democrat or Republican. This ses-sion will answer key questions to solve Black America’s voting problem.

2Fs and a C: What's your grade at Life University?2Fs and a C: What's your grade at Life University? Presenter: Bonnie J. Weston, Tusculum College UC Room 235 Failing, finding, and capturing your vision... using a simple business plan. This pres-entation will teach the audience to think of planning life after college as creating their own business. Audience members will create a "business" plan to map out a successful journey to their goals and raise the "grades" in their lives. Developing, growing and leading a business to success begins with a strong foundation- the same is required for life.

SESSION III SESSION III 1:00 p.m. 1:00 p.m. -- 2:00 p.m2:00 p.m. . Sankofa: Preserving Your Cultural Heritage Through the Art of Narratives & Sankofa: Preserving Your Cultural Heritage Through the Art of Narratives & StoryStory--TellingTelling Presenter: Dr. Theressa N. Cooper, UT Staff Member UC Room 221 As research has struggled to identify and define the Black experience (Du Bois, 1903; Bell, 2002), Obidah (2003) suggests that one of the lasting theoretical frame-works that resonates for the social science community and for Black people is Du-bois’ (1903) notion of double consciousness. Dubois found that as African-Americans, we live two lives – one that is full of pride for its African-ness and all that it encompasses; and a the second life in which we have to assimilate into the American (White) culture. Therein lies the struggle, where the African American is seeking to find a place where our Black experience can become a part of the “American” experience without having doors closed in our face for simply “being”. To fully understand this dynamic we have to travel back/explore our roots - Sankofa! In this workshop we will examine the oral mediums by which African-American history has been preserved. Attendees should leave with a fundamental framework and understanding of how to conduct and preserve their family history.

Black Issues Conference WorkshopsBlack Issues Conference Workshops

National Association for the Advancement of Colored People: Relevant or Obsolete?National Association for the Advancement of Colored People: Relevant or Obsolete? Presenters: UTK Chapter, NAACP (Student Organization)

UC Room 225 The NAACP played a major role in the struggle for civil rights since its inception in 1909. Almost every societal progression made during the civil rights area can, in some way, be linked to the efforts of this esteemed organization. However, in re-cent years, the NAACP has come under attack from various media outlets and the African-American community itself regarding its perceived ineffectiveness and irrelevance in today’s “post-racial” society. In this workshop, a diverse panel will evaluate the current state of the NAACP and attempt to answer the question of whether the NAACP has a place in today’s world. Panelists and workshop atten-dees will identify areas where the organization, nationally and locally, can improve and regain its relevance in the African-American community. Health Issues in Women of ColorHealth Issues in Women of Color Presenter: Rosa J. Thomas (UT Health Center) UC Room 226 This workshop will focus on a variety of women's health issues. We will discuss how women are impacted by certain disease (including AIDS, Heart Disease, Can-cer, Breast Disease, and STDs and how women are affected differently than men in some cases. You will learn how to make healthy life style choices. "LIMBO" At the Intersection of Art & Social Justice: Theatre & Black America"LIMBO" At the Intersection of Art & Social Justice: Theatre & Black America Presenter: Lauren Elysse Fitzgerald (UT Student) UC Room 227 This presentation links African-American social issues to modern African-American playwrights and works. This is a discussion based off of the perform-ance, and other examples of works by Lynn Nottage, Dale Orlandersmith, Tyler Perry, and local playwright Linda Parris-Bailey of the Carpetbag Theatre. We will examine of other performance methods such as poetry and dance to explore other methodologies of how the voice of the 21st century African-American is expressed.

What's Sexy in Love & Relationships Part III: Communication is the Key!What's Sexy in Love & Relationships Part III: Communication is the Key! Presenters: Ferlin McGaskey and Dr. Porche’ Wynn (UT Doctoral Students) UC Room 235 What’s “Sexy” In Love and Relationships is a frank and open discussion about relationships in the black community. In this session we will: use clips to illustrate the issues that plague Black relationships; facilitate discussion based on about atti-tudes towards love and respect, and provide tools men and women can use in or-der to build and sustain successful and loving relationships. We will employ en-gaging pedagogical approaches to encourage critical assessment of the behaviors that have been found to damage or inhibit relationships. We will then help partici-pants devise a plan to effectively communicate what they want in a relationship and how to achieve it. Topics to be covered: Ideal versus Realistic Expectations, Defining What We Are Doing, and The Art of Dialogue.

Black Issues Conference WorkshopsBlack Issues Conference Workshops Career Expo EmployersCareer Expo Employers