Hampton University will host the 32nd Annual Conference on the Black Family on March 17-19.  The theme for this year’s conference is “The Holistic Black Family: Mind, Body and Spirit” and will feature discussions on African American families in the areas of education, health and physical fitness and spirituality. The College of Education and Continuing Studies will sponsor the event.

On March 17, the conference begins with “Let the Man Speak” Preconference Workshop at 9 a.m. – noon.  The academic achievement gap between African American students and their Caucasian counterparts continues to be one of the most important educational issues in our country.  Less than 17 percent of African American students will finish high school and graduate from college.  This preconference workshop will explore this issue and will provide participants with specific strategies for empowering young African American males to achieve maximal success in school.

That evening, the conference formally launches with the Opening Ceremony at 7 p.m. in Ogden Hall.  The keynote speaker for the event will be Dr. Calvin Mackie, an award-winning mentor, an internationally renowned motivational speaker and a successful entrepreneur.  The event is free and open to the public.  
    
The conference continues March 18 with a focus on children, featuring a STEM-Tastic Youth Summit.  In conjunction with area partners such as NASA and the Virginia Air and Space Museum, the STEM-Tastic Youth Summit will feature hands-on workshops for area youth centered on the fields of science, technology, engineering and math.  

“The conference will be an educational health & wellness event for the entire family.  We want to connect people who are interested in making a positive difference in their own lives and in their communities,” said dean Dr. Cassandra Herring.  

On March 18-19, adult participants will attend concurrent sessions on spiritual reconciliation, global leadership and social entrepreneurship, and healthy marriages.  The conference will culminate in an extravagant luncheon and tribute to the stalwart women who have held the black family together. The event will be called “Big Mama: A Salute to Grandmothers Luncheon.”  Tickets for the luncheon are $30.  

Since 1978, HU’s Conference on the Black Family has created a forum for prevalent issues concerning the black family. HU President Dr. William R. Harvey saw a need for consistent dialogue in the African-American community and initiated the conference to fill the void. This year’s conference is geared to maintain that legacy and to continue to educate the black community.

The registration fee for the conference is $55 for adults, $25 for mature adults age 55 and older, $10 for non-HU students, and free for HU students, faculty and staff.

For more information, call (757) 637-2036 or (757) 727-5584.

You can register online by visiting http://www.hamptonu.edu/events/bfc/registration.cfm or by phone by calling (757) 637-2036 or (757) 727-5584.