UofL to host National Conference on the Black Family in America Feb. 26-28

The theme of this year’s conference is “PROJECT PROGRESS (1965-2015): Exploring the Continuing Transformation of Black America.” The goal of the conference is to help families become more empowered, engaged and educated in order to maximize quality of life.

Highlights for the conference include:

·       Conference opening at the Cressman Center, 100 E. Main St., 6 p.m.-8 p.m. Feb. 26. Opening to include access to the “Freedom Seekers: The Early Lives of Harriet Tubman and Frederick Douglass” Art Exhibition by artist and UofL professor Mark Priest. This event is free and open to the public.

·       Keynote address by Julianne Malveaux, an economist, commentator and author, 7 p.m.-9 p.m. Feb. 27. Malveaux’s writing has appeared in publications including USA Today, Black Issues in Higher Education, Ms. Magazine, Essence Magazine and the Progressive. She has appeared as a commentator on networks, including CNN, BET, PBS, NBC, ABC, Fox News, MSNBC, CNBC, C-SPAN and others. She also served as the 15th president of Bennett College for Women, America’s oldest historically black college for women. She is the honorary co-chair of the Social Action Commission of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. and serves on the boards of the Economic Policy Institute as well as The Recreation Wish List Committee of Washington, D.C.

·       Lasana Hotep, educator and researcher, will speak during the conference’s closing luncheon, 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Feb. 28. Hotep’s developed the nationally recognized college readiness program, African American Men of Arizona State University (AAMASU), which targets high school students. He currently serves as the interim dean of special programs and grants at Merritt College in Oakland, Calif.

Conference events, excluding the opening reception, will be at the Crowne Plaza, 830 Phillips Lane. The cost to attend the full conference is $200. Tickets also may be purchased for individual events, including the talks by Malveaux and Hotep. Details and registration are online. Registration is open until the close of business Feb. 23; no on-site registration will be available.

For more information about the conference, call 502-852-6656, email bfc@louisville.edu, or visit the website.