
The University of New Mexico
NEWS RELEASE
Media Contact: Laurie Mellas, 277-5915
Feb. 21, 2007
The University of New Mexico Office of African American Student Services will host the 2007 Marsha K. Hardeman Black Cultural Conference March 1-3 at the Student Union building.
Registration will begin Thursday, March 1, from 5 to 10 p.m. Cost is $35 for students, and $65 general.
The event will focus on the contributions of African Americans in New Mexico and on bridging the gap between students, community leaders, government officials and others interested in the state’s cultural heritage. UNM’s goal for the conference is to build a tradition of academic excellence, community empowerment, awareness and vision.
Dr. Cortez Williams will kick off the conference with a historic re-cap of the Black presence from the trailblazing years of the western frontier to present day.
Educational sessions will address the ABC’s of Success in Business, with keynote speaker, Victor B. MacFarlane, UNM alumna and senior managing principal for MacFarlane Partners, an internationally accomplished group of investment brokers and urban developers.
Michael Cooper, Albuquerque Thunderbirds Coach and former Los Angeles Lakers star, and Van Tate, television sportscaster, will join other Lobo athlete alumni to address issues facing Black student athletes.
Other conference workshops and activities include a Career Fair and Friday noon performance by the Langston University Marching Band, in the great tradition of Historical Black Colleges and Universities “Battle of the Bands.” Friday evening includes a Gospel Extravaganza.
A Saturday forum features panelists from mid and high school educators to university level administrators who will address educational successes, failures and the challenges to meet the needs of Black children.
Saturday keynote speaker Brandon Neal, deputy political director for Civic Engagement for the Democratic Governors’ Association and former national director for the Youth and College Division, N.A.A.C.P., will speak on the topic, “The Challenge of Servant Leadership: Contemporary Needs for Social and Political Activism”.
The final highlight, the ‘Duke City Marchdown,’ on Saturday evening, will showcase the legacy of Black Greek step shows and promises exciting, friendly and skill competition among the historic collegiate fraternities and sororities.
When asked about the desire to help create a conference celebrating New Mexico’s Black community, Marsha K. Hardeman reflected on the wish to promote and draw attention to the numerous achievements and successes of Black people throughout our many communities, who have contributed to the survival, development and successes of the state’s past, present and future.
“How can we hope to challenge our young people to be the best they can be, to stand on principles of integrity and quality of character if we don’t present models of those characteristics?” said Hardeman. “The collaboration with UNM’s Office of African American Student Services, with Director Wm. Scott Carreathers, afforded a wonderful opportunity,” noted Hardeman, “to encourage and challenge our own young people and community members to pursue their professional/business goals and aspirations, and to strive to achieve the academic excellence that can provide the stepping stones to those goals.”
For more information, contact the UNM Office of African-American Student Services, (505) 277-5645, AASS@unm.edu, or visit
###
www.unm.edu