The 15th Annual Black Issues Conference will be held this Saturday, February 1 from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. in the Student Union. This year’s theme is “Breaking the Cycle of a People Divided”. I sat down with Aaron Dixon, coordinator in the Office of Multicultural Student Life (MSL), to get some insight into the conference.

Aaron Dixon, Coordinator, Office of Multicultural Student Life

Each year, the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) and MSL host the Black Issues Conference conference, inviting students, faculty, staff, and community members to discuss different issues affecting the Black community. Some issues may include education, health, and much more. “This conference is a great environment where people are able to talk about the issues and create solutions that allow us to move forward as a community,” Aaron informs us. There will be several educational sessions, including a keynote from CNN political analyst and White House correspondent, April Ryan.

This year, sessions will focus on political issues and the upcoming election cycle, aimed at the challenges we face as a country and the importance of voting. The framework of the conference is based on promoting diversity and inclusivity on campus and giving the Black community a voice.

This annual campus-wide discussion kicks off Black History Month by discussing how the Black community can move forward. Aaron emphasizes that this conference provides the community a time to sit down and get everyone involved. He explains that it’s an opportunity to foster conversations with people of the same background and culture, and is a very powerful event that allows scholarly research pertaining to black issues to be discussed moving towards a solution.

Attendees will receive a free t-shirt and lunch. If you forgot to register online, set your calendar for next year’s Black Issues Conference, which will be held on Saturday, February 6, 2021!

Conference schedule 

• 9:30 a.m. Registration
• 10 a.m. Opening welcome
• 10:30 a.m. First session begins
• 11:30 a.m. Second session begins
• 12:30 p.m. Lunch will be provided
• 2 p.m. Keynote speaker followed by a meet and greet

Bailey Ly, Student Life Communications Intern

Bailey Ly is a sophomore majoring in public relations with a minor in business administration. She is the undergraduate public relations intern for Student Life  Communications. Bailey is also the marketing chair for Campus Events Board Arts and Culture. She loves cooking and learning about new cultures.