On Saturday, February 2, the Office of Multicultural Student Life will host its 14th annual Black Issues Conference in collaboration with the UT Knoxville chapter of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People.

Presenting the keynote is former mayor of Tallahassee and Florida gubernatorial nominee, Andrew Gillum. Workshops throughout the day will cover topics such as social media, the power of black female leadership, melanin in the media, civil rights and politics, mental health, education, and free speech.

Each year, over 300 participants gather to share research and engage in meaningful dialog regarding all aspects of the black community. The conference has brought together speakers such as Judy Smith, a lawyer and the inspiration for ABC’s hit TV show Scandal.  Others prominent speakers have included TV One news host Roland Martin, hip-hop legend MC Lyte, and attorney and CEO of IMPACT Strategies, Angela Rye.

The Black Issues Conference was founded in 2006 by a group of dedicated students, faculty, and staff committed to the empowerment of black students and the education of the University of Tennessee community, a tradition which has grown into a highly anticipated event in the southeastern United States.

UT students, faculty, and staff, as well as the general public are invited to attend this conference. Registration is open until January 26. Attendees should register online.

For more information and disability accommodations, please contact the Office of Multicultural Student Life at 865-974-6861 or multicultural@utk.edu.