Men of Color Conference at MSU

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MISSISSIPPI STATE UNIVERSITY (WCBI) – Officials at Mississippi State University are going above and beyond to help a group of students that have historically been at a disadvantage when it comes to higher education. African American males are the least likely of all groups to graduate from college.

The Office of Diversity and Equity at Mississippi State University sponsored a conference that focused on how to assist young men of color in becoming successful college graduates. Enhancing the academic achievement of men of color was the overall theme and the invited speakers spoke of expanding the conversation when it comes to African American males.

Guest speaker, Dr. Fred Bonner II said, “We always talk about the deficits. African American males are not doing well, not scoring well, all of the bad stuff. Well we’ve heard enough of that. Let’s focus on that population that is doing well academically, that is stepping up to the plate as far as responsibilities and to reframe the conversation that we have about that population.”

Dr. Bonner was one of many guests on hand to discuss the latest research on African American males in higher education and possible solutions to the challenges they face.  MSU students in attendance said they were excited to hear what the men who came before them had to say.

Some of the other panelists included Brigadier General Samuel Nichols Jr., Dr. Lorenzo Esters of Kentucky State University, Marcus Thompson from the Institutions of Higher Learning in Mississippi and Dr. Oliver Myers of Mississippi State.