HU TO HOLD 24th ANNUAL BLACK FAMILY

Hampton, VA - Hampton University's School of Engineering and Technology will host the 24th Annual Black Family Conference on March 20-22. "The Impact of Technology on the Black Family: Pushing the Boundaries" is this year's theme.

Some of the topics on this year's agenda include "Telemedicine: What is it and How will it affect the Patient/Doctor Relationship?"; "Using Technology to Remove Barriers for Affordable Housing"; "New Dimensions in Education, Alternatives to the Traditional Delivery System: Can Technology Forge a New Paradigm for Education?" and "What are the Sociological Impacts of Rapid Technology Changes on the Family Unit?"

The conference will highlight new technologies such as biophotonics, wireless communications, nanoprocessing and telehealth. Health, housing and education are only a few examples of areas where technology is significantly altering the world.

Hampton University's Black Family Conference will discuss these advances and how these cutting-edge technologies will affect the black family.

In 1978, six black family court judges from around the nation challenged Hampton Institute to "give directions and definitions to the problems of our families and explore possible solutions to protect, preserve and project the family as a meaningful, viable and stable social unity in American society." This challenge and the foresight and commitment of many, set in motion the Black Family Institute, a minority affairs think tank.

President William R. Harvey recognized the necessity of establishing consistent dialogue on health care, technology, business, handgun violence, income disparities and women's issues. As an outgrowth of the Black Family Institute, Harvey further committed the University's scholarly resources to finding solutions to the problems that affect African Americans and minority community by initiating an annual Conference on the Black Family.

There is a $100 pre-registration fee. On-site registration is $125, $65 for senior citizens (65 or older), $65 for groups of 10 or more and $25 for college students with a valid ID. HU faculty staff and students are free with pre-registration and a valid ID.

For more information about the conference or registration information, call (757) 728-6970.

For additional information, please contact: Kia Dupree (757) 727 - 5255 or via email: kia.dupree@hamptonu.edu