South Carolina State University News March 2, 2018 Brothers' Keeper Summit Inspires Male Youth SC State University, with the sponsorship of its 1890 Research and Extension Program, recently convened over 1,000 male students for the annual Brothers' Keeper Leadership Summit, on Feb. 22-23. For the past five years, SC State has collaborated with local school districts to host this leadership summit, which is geared toward K-12 male students. The goal of the Brothers' Keeper Leadership Summit is to successfully help propel male youth throughout elementary, middle and high school, and prepare them for success in college and life in general. The summit focuses on a diverse range of topics such as the development of manhood, the importance of education, navigating through the school system, cultural awareness and self-esteem. This opportunity places young men in an environment that seeks to empower and motivate them to excel within their communities as well. "What a powerful testament it was to see so many well dressed, intelligent and dynamic young, black males gathering outside of the Smith-Hammond-Middleton Memorial Center on the 50th anniversary of the Orangeburg Massacre. To say we had a great time at this year's summit is an understatement. I believe this year was particularly transformative and special," said the summit's coordinator, Dr. Rashad Anderson. The summit's itineraries are filled with empowering, informative and inspirational breakout sessions. The theme for this year was, "One Man Can Change the World. Are You Ready to Be That Change?" The facilitators for the elementary and middle school group included mentors from Call Me MISTER, which is a South Carolina-based program that recruits, trains and places more black male educators in elementary classrooms. Facilitators from Claflin University and the 101 Black Men of SC State University Society served the high school students at the summit. Several other notable African American male speakers and educators also participated in the summit, including Kyle A. Greene, Dr. Anthony Broughton and Tim Bowers. Though summits of this type are certainly not new in concept, SC State is one of the few universities that offers a summit involving elementary and middle school-aged male students. Typically, summits of this type focus on engaging high school and college-aged students. Studies have shown that in U. S. public schools, African American male youth are least likely to read on their respective grade level, and are more likely to encounter behavioral problems that have detrimental consequences, than their counterparts in other racial and ethnic groups. The Brothers' Keeper Summit seeks to introduce and reinforce positive messages of wisdom to these students, and instill in them the tools that are needed to succeed. For more information about the Brothers' Keeper Summit, please contact Dr. Rashad Anderson at (803) 536-8490 or rander29@scsu.edu<mailto:rander29@scsu.edu>. SANDRA M. PHOENIX HBCU Library Alliance Executive Director Atlanta University Center Robert W. Woodruff Library 111 James P. Brawley Drive SW Atlanta, GA 30314 404-978-2118 (office) 404-702-5854 (cell) http://www.hbculibraries.org/ sphoenix@hbculibraries.org<mailto:sphoenix@hbculibraries.org<mailto:sphoenix@hbculibraries.org%3cmailto:sphoenix@hbculibraries.org>> Honor the ancestors, honor the children. Follow us on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/hbculibraryalliance1/ and Twitter https://twitter.com/HBCULibAlliance Check out "PULSE!" The HBCU Library Alliance's News Source! - https://hbculibraryalliance.wordpress.com/