Black and Brown Summit

Reviving Our Roots Through Courageous Conversations

November 15, 2014 — Highline College

purpose

Goal

To empower and motivate our Black and Brown young men to excel in academics and to accept nothing less than excellence from self.

Objectives

Critique social structures that inhibit Black/Brown young men from being successful in education.
Highlight the achievements in spite of the obstacles/barriers that they face.
Contextualize their self identity socially, culturally, historically, and politically by giving the young men a sense of self and value of self.

Watch a recap of the previous Summit and a look ahead to November 2014

Students and presenters talk about their experience at the 2013 Summit

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Free Admission • Free Breakfast and Lunch • Free Enlightenment

agenda

8:15 - 8:40 am	Registration and Breakfast
8:40 - 9:00am	Opening Ceremony — Rashad Norris, Director of Community Engagement, Highline College. Loyal Allen, Emcee
9:00 - 9:50am	Keynote Address — Dr. Darryl Brice
10:00am - 11:15am Workshops	Carlos Adams Not Me, Who I am not, nor Who I Want To Be; The Role of Media Stereotypes On The Development of Brown and Black Masculinity This workshop explores the historical and current constructions of Brown and Black stereotypes in the media and how these stereotypes influence Brown and Black masculinity. Through dialogue, we will address the impact of stereotypes has on young Brown and Black men. We will discuss the limited views of masculinity these stereotypes present, why these stereotypes are so prevalent in the media, and how white males benefit from these stereotypes. We will end with discussing what young Brown and Black men can do to end the stereotypes and take control over the development of Brown and Black masculinity. Michael Tuncap Workshop Title to Come Develop an awareness of diverse cultures & Black & Brown social movements in the Puget Sound. Examine the systems of power and oppression that pipeline men of color from schools to prisons. Develop a profound sense of cultural pride & appreciation for one's intellectual potential. We will learn how to mobilize brotherhood with indigenous knowledge & the Art of War known as Hip Hop & Taotao Tano. Athrettis Thrett Brown F.E.A.R (Find Educate Apply Results) To overcome your fears is being able to identify what fear(s) are and how to address them without removing yourself from the present situation. Realizing where your fear is coming, you are then able to confront them. Process: FIND out what your fear(s) are and where they are coming from EDUCATE yourself on your situation causing fear by using your resources available. APPLY what you've educated yourself on to see your results. RESULTS In the end, whichever way you find that fear, you are now able to use the education to apply it for your results. Louis Guiden Jr. Change Your Mind Change Your Life "Change Your Mind Change Your Life" is a relevant message for these challenging times youth are facing; it brings an empowering, life changing message that not only calls the "realness" and listener to action, but ignites the core and activates change. Louis Guiden "get-to-the-root-of-the-matter" approach is specifically designed to empower youth to effectively manage life challenges and achieve success. Clinton Taylor ABC's on Life; (Attitude, Beliefs and Choices) Attitude is everything! Attitudes are a settled way of thinking or feeling about someone or someone or something. And choices are the right, power, or opportunity to choose; in other words "options". During this workshop, participants will learn to identify common causes underlying how our attitudes, control our beliefs and beliefs dictate the choices we make thus determining the direction we take in life. In addition participant will learn practical and useful strategies to address, interrupt, and change some of the beliefs and choices they have made in the past so that they can have a positive attitude and outlook on their future. Joshua Magallanes What does society say? WHAT DO YOU SAY? Masculinity, Maleness, and everything in-between Come explore through participatory exercises gender identity and theory identity as it relates to intersections in one's life; also exploration of masculinity and the integration of masculinity and identity within social constructs. How it is that society gets to say who we are and when we can become who they say we are going to be. Don't you want to have a say in that? Participants will leave with a better understanding of the following questions: What does it mean to have identity? What does Masculinity mean? How are gender roles perceived? Arvin C. Mosley, Jr Dreams don't come true. Dreams are made true Do you have your goals written down? This workshop will focus on empowering, inspiring and motivating attendees to set goals and develop plans of action. According to statistics, goals that are written down are 80% more likely to be achieved. Participants in this workshop will "time travel" and take themselves to their "dream destination". As they develop ideas of where they want to be, we will work to create and implement actionable steps to assist them in getting there. We want to help make "living the dream" a reality! Michael Benitez 'Back in the Day When I was Young...' Advocating for and Empowering the Students of Color and Youth Culture Crossroad (for adults and chaperones) Often, those of us who work closely with youth, whether at home, in schools, and or the broader communities, find it challenging to find ways to connect to younger generations. Even more challenging is the need to cultivate possibilities and solutions that guide and encourage positive and critical development among youth in a complex society. What does it mean to be person of color in the United States during times of cultural uncertainty? How can educators better understand how to respond and attend to the needs of young men of of color in the Jim Jr. and Juan Crow era? What are the issues faced by young men of color today and how can wisdom keepers advocate for youth differently? This empowering and exciting presentation addresses such questions though the utilization of personal narrative and interactive dialogue to strategize and demonstrate how adults can leverage resilience, youth culture and conviction to help young men of color overcome adversity and be successful in the 21st century.Let me know if you need anything else.
11:25am - 12:50pm	Caucus (Break Out Groups): Purpose of the caucus is to create space for you to speak freely and openly about your opinions and ideas with other students
1:00 - 1:50pm	Lunch — DJ Eddie Martinez
2:00 - 3:15pm Workshops	Aaron Reader Behind Bars! The way society speaks to men of color is often times not how men of color speak against injustice, inequities, and other social justice issues. This interactive workshop will introduce young men to new ways of navigating society as a man of color, code switching, and effective problem solving strategies. Young men of color will be introduced to the art of spoken word poetry as platform to express social inequalities outside of traditional methods as well as other forms of creative resistance. This workshop will demonstrate how the arts have been a huge part of history for people of color in creating social change and the ways in which it builds a sense of community by drawing from collective groups and shared experiences. Carlos Adams Milk Done Did Your Body Good: The Effects of Street Harassment on Brown and Black Men and Women This workshop explores how cat calls affect the relationships among brown and black men and women. Though dialogue, we will address what cat calls are, how they affect women of color, and how they impact control over the streets and public environments. We will continue to look at how these actions by men relate to control over women and discuss ways to eliminate these actions from our society. Adam-Jon Aparicio Retire like a BO$$: Real World Money Tips to empower you & your Wallet! Let's face it, term Financial Literacy sounds kind of boring and not how many young guys want to spend their Saturday. However, this session promises that learning about money (how to make it work for you) will be far from boring or confusing. Young men of color are often left out of the financial conversation which leads to making small money mistakes that can cost a lot. As a community, we will explore, learn, and unpack what role money plays in our lives today and in the future. Andres Moreno You can't do it alone Are there times you feel alone or overwhelmed with academic issues? You are not alone! Come to this workshop which will focus on ways to cope and help with building connections that will open doors to pursue your academic aspirations and establish a road map that will guide you as you enter a college/university environment. Zac Stowell Confidence in our Identity A focus on building confidence within understanding and appreciating our identities. Topics covered will include terms such as perseverance, sacrifice, identity, race, reflection, expectations, goals, and emotional intelligence. Brendan Nelson What Race will you Run? This interactive workshop will urge students to think and identify goals to successfully prepare for college and the world in front of them. Participants will leave the session with greater awareness of the following: Setting Goals for Success, Life Action plans, "Hurdle Jumping" Expectations of Higher Education Randy Corradine, Michael Bethely, Jerod Grant Bywords: The Spoken Word Revolution ByWords: Spoken Word Revolution (Poetry, Spoken Word) explores the history of spoken word. From the traveling storytelling poet Homer to the impact of the ink of the classics, Angelou, Frost, Yeats, Black, Dickenson, and Hughes, to the oral attempts of the Beats, to the transformative style and performance of the Last Poets, to arrive at the illest verse of your favorite EMCEE!
3:25 - 4:00pm	CONTROL, COMPETENCE & CONFIDENCE: Tools for Survival When Encountering Law Enforcement/Armed Authority — Jose S. Gutierrez Jr., M.Ed.
4:00pm - 4:30pm	Closing/Reflections — Loyal Allen

registration

testimonials

I learned that I need to first understand my misunderstandings of others then seek the truth before making more progress in my own growth

I learned to not let anyone bring you down and better yourself. Always have confidence whereever you go

The thing I like the most overall in the summit was the speakers because they spoke reality

I liked meeting new people and learning new things

The speakers were personal and knew our problems

keynote speaker

Dr. Darryl Brice

I Am Whatever You Say I Am: Reimagining the Way We See Students of Color

Dr. Darryl Brice was born and raised in Baltimore, MD. He attended Frostburg State University located in Frostburg, MD where he received his BS in Political Science and Justice Studies. He received his MA and PhD in Sociology from Loyola University Chicago.

Dr. Brice is currently an Instructor of Sociology and Diversity and Globalism Studies at Highline Community College where he has taught since 2003. While teaching at Highline Community College he was awarded tenure in 2007. The next year, in 2008, Highline Community College recognized him as Faculty Member of the Year. In 2007 the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints honored him with the Teachers Assisting in Discovery award.

In 2009 he was the recipient of the NISOD (National Institute for Staff and Development) Excellence Award. In addition, Darryl has appeared in Who's Who Among America's Teachers.

presenters

Jerod Q. Grant, BA

Jerod graduated from Mariner High School in Everett, WA where he received the Achievers scholarship to pay for college. He is the first in his family to attend and graduate from college. He earned a Bachelor's degree in Communications from Eastern Washington University. Following graduation he served in the Retention Project through AmeriCorps and then went on to serve as a regional Admissions Advisor for EWU. Jerod currently works as Program Manager in the Outreach, Diversity and Equity Center and advisor for Black Student Union at Everett Community College. This position allows him to serve diverse populations in the community as a leader and role model to first-generation, low-income, and/or students of color. He plans to get a master's degree in Education. He is passionate about athletics and has coached 9th-11th grade football along with 3rd-6th basketball in his community.

Randy C. Corradine, MPA

Randy Corradine is a first generation college student. He has a Master's in Public Administration and a Bachelor of Arts with an emphasis in Philosophy both from The Evergreen State College. Randy is an advocate of diversity, equity and inclusion work in higher education. He currently works at Gonzaga University as the Assistant Director of Unity Multicultural Education Center. He spent eight years on staff at The Evergreen State College as an Admissions Counselor. He held multiple responsibilities including managing conditionally admitted students, strategic diversity recruitment, and designing and administering training specific to inclusion and equity. He is currently working on a novel with a working title, Memoir: Being Between Blue-Line Boundaries. He also enjoys hip-hop music, spoken word, and rap concerts, all of which inspire him and are in part a cultural recognition of race in America. Randy's personal mantra is, "being with purpose, passion, and perspective".

Aaron Reader

Aaron Reader attended Saint Augustine's College in Raleigh NC, where he received his BA in Psychology. Aaron has worked in higher education for the past 8 years. He is the Director of Multicultural Services at Bellevue College. Aaron received his Master's Degree in Counseling Psychology at Argosy University, Seattle. In addition to his work in higher education he has a passion for poetry and spoken word. He also facilitates workshops on creative writing with an emphasis on social justice. Aaron has been recognized as a local spoken word artist who has a powerful, emotional, real, and conscious style. He has been invited to perform in front of large audiences; Benaroya Hall as one of them. He has also opened for well know poets such as Def Poetry Jam Artist Black Ice, Tasha Jones and Laura Piece Kelley. He has a strong commitment to helping students be prepared and succeed in college and life.

Joshua Magallanes, BS, MA, LMHCA, NCC

Joshua earned his Bachelor of Science degree from Northern Arizona University. He moved to Seattle in February 2004 and began working at Highline Community College in Fall of that same year. He has worked in Higher Education for the last 11 years for both Four-Year Universities and Community Colleges. Joshua received his Masters in Community Counseling from Seattle University. He provides therapy in his private practice for Individuals, couples, families, and facilitates process groups. Josh has worked as a consultant for Edmonds School District, where he provided Professionally Development for K-12 staff and administrators. Josh explores the societal expectations placed on communities of color and Queer communities across the state, regionally, and nationally as a way to bring about awareness and create change through facilitated workshops and presentations. Mr. Magallanes is also faculty at Highline College where he teaches in the Human Services Department.

Carlos Adams

As a former high school drop-out who, at the age of thirty six, began college at Whatcom Community College, Dr. Carlos Adams saw college as a foreign, bewildering and uninviting environment. He began college as a single parent from a working class background. Through hard work and support, Carlos was able to graduate from Whatcom Community College as the recipient of the Laidlaw Award for the Outstanding Graduate. He transferred to Western Washington University and attended Fairhaven College of Interdisciplinary Studies majoring in American Cultural Studies. Today, Carlos teaches the American Minority and Ethnic Studies courses at Green River Community College and continues his dedication to improving the lives of historically excluded and marginalized individuals and communities.

Michael Tun'cap

Michael Tun'cap was born in the village of Aniguak, Guam and raised in Tacoma. Michael was the founding Director of the Pacific Islander Student Commission at UW Seattle in 2000 and co-founder of the PIONEER outreach program in 2001. Michael graduated from UW Seattle with degrees in Communications and Political Science. From 2003 to 2009, he taught Ethnic Studies courses to over 1,200 undergraduates at the University of California Berkeley. He received his M.A in Ethnic Studies from UC Berkeley in 2005. From 2010-11, he worked as a coordinator and teacher for the TRIO Upward Bound program at Evergreen State College. He served as Chair of the Guam Delegation to the United Nations from 2008 to 2010. Tuncap served as an adjunct faculty member at City College of San Francisco in 2007 and at South Puget Sound Community College 2012-13. Tuncap is the former Director of the Pacific Islander Studies Institute, a native research group working to implement PI curriculum in K-12 and higher education in the state of Washington. His most recent work is featured in Matamai: The Vasa in Us (2010), an anthology of indigenous writings from the Pacific Northwest. Tuncap serves on the Board of Directors for the Asia Pacific Cultural Center and for the Executive Council of the Northwest Association of Pacific Americans.

Louis Guiden Jr

Louis Guiden Jr. is the Founder of GuidenU4Life. He has extensive knowledge and experience working with young men of color who are involved in the juvenile justice system. In part, this comes from his own experience as a youthful offender, beginning in his home state of Louisiana and continuing after his family moved to Washington State. His deep understanding of the circumstances that led many of the young men who are involved in gangs and other illegal activities, derive from his own background as a child of a single parent, growing up in poverty and a dysfunctional home life. In 2009, he began working with youth who are currently incarcerated in juvenile facilities. Louis Guiden services offers mentoring, outreach, youth development, support, and resources for young men both within juvenile facility and after their release. Mr. Guiden is a Certified Gang Specialist and Gang Counselor, credentialed by the National Gang Crime Research Center in Chicago, and he was recognized in 2010 by the NGCRC for his contribution to gang prevention, intervention, and research. Louis Guiden Jr. has built a solid reputation for community mobilization, organizational capacity building, and intervention strategies reaching the growing population of incarcerated and juvenile delinquent young men of color.

Adam-Jon Aparicio

Adam-Jon has worked professionally in student leadership development at several universities nationwide leading workshops, team builders, and trainings. Currently, Adam-Jon is a Faculty Counselor at Highline College where he helps students figure out career goals and personal conflict. Adam-Jon's professional areas of interest include: multiculturalism, gender identity, sexual orientation, anxiety/depression, healthy living, financial literacy, and men's issues. In his free time, Adam-Jon enjoys running, swimming, politics, pop culture, and shamelessly, (almost) anything on TV.

Andres Moreno

Andres Moreno works at Central Washington University as the Assistant Director of Admissions and oversees Student Visitation Programs. Born in Mexico and then moved to Yakima, WA at the age of 7. As a low income, seasonal migrant farmworker, Andres and his family of 7 worked in the orchards at a very young age and found that education was an important step to pursue a better life. Andres attended Central Washington University from 2003-2008, where he earned his Bachelor's degree. As former Achiever's Scholar, he now mentors local high school students in Yakima at Davis High School and Eisenhower High School.

Zac Stowell

Zac Stowell was born in Brooklyn, New York and raised all over the United States as a military dependent. He attended over 10 schools growing up as a kid and was at risk until a two teachers caught his attention and inspired his life in education. After graduating from Central Washington University he became a teacher in an inner city school and has been recognized in NPR's Tavis Smiley Show, The Dan Rathers Report, City Arts Magazine, The Washington Post, and more for his creative ways in reaching his students. He is currently a mentor in Seattle Public Schools supporting and coaching first year teachers. Zac has specialized in teaching with technology as well as increasing family engagement in his community. He will also graduate this spring from Western Washington University with a master degree in Leadership & Administration. His true passion is for making a difference for others the way his teachers did for him.

Michael Bethely

Michael Bethely, is the founder of BE, a non-profit organization dedicated to inspiring others to improve their lives, as well as those around them. A spoken word, poetry and hip-hop artist, Michael performs regularly at Phat House, hosting open mic nights. Michael graduated from Eastern Washington University with a bachelor's in interdisciplinary studies, with emphases in graphic design, communication and film. A production tech at KXLY by day, Michael volunteers at Operation Healthy Family, serves as youth director at Holy Temple Church of God in Christ, and is co-chair of the Inland Northwest Juneteenth Coalition.

Brendan A. Nelson, CNP

Brendan has a passion for service, and this is demonstrated in his personal and professional life. He is dedicated to working with individuals to identify avenues for unimaginable success and serves as an outstanding role model. He has influenced the community with his ten plus years of solid experience involving youth mentorship, counseling, planning service projects and conducting workshops in collaboration with city and civic leaders, faith based organizations, private and public ventures throughout the state of Washington. Brendan is the President and Founder of Nvision Professional Services, a company that offers coaching for personal and professional development. He is truly a leader that believes in creating other leaders by discovering, developing, and deploying these individuals back out into our community, ready and eager for success.

Athrettis Thrett Brown

Thrett Brown is a native of Pleasant Hill, Louisiana, but has called Tacoma home since 1995. Thrett mentors at several middle schools in the Tacoma area, while working for the YMCA. Thrett officially founded the non-profit organization, Young Business Men (YBM). He wanted to be an example, training young men to take responsibility for their future and avoid the pitfalls he fell into. YBM targets high-risk youth, offering programs that teach and encourage physical well-being, teamwork, role modeling and leadership. Thrett believes these life skills will be vital tools these young me can utilize, allowing them to become positive contributors to their families, their communities and to perpetuate these skills for future generations to come. YBM works to support a diverse group of young men, ages 13-17, whom negative influences and environmental conditions of the urban landscape, offer little hope and un-immeasurable help.

Michael Benitez Jr.

A leading national social justice educator, and activist-scholar with extensive experience in education and diversity issues, Michael is known for his down-to-earth insightful commentary and critical perspectives on social and cultural issues. Benitez integrates multifaceted teaching and learning techniques, scholarly inquiry, and personal narrative to provide multi-context and -issue frameworks for empowerment and transformation. Benitez has served higher education in different capacities for the last fifteen years, including academic affairs, student affairs, diversity and inclusion, and teaching. A highly sought out speaker and workshop leader at conferences and colleges across the nation, Benitez has authored book chapters and articles on topics of identity, cultural centers, ethnic studies, pedagogy and hip hop culture. He has been featured in educational documentaries, has received multiple awards and recognitions for his leadership and often collaborates with leading scholars and activists in the field of anti-oppression and social justice education across the nation.

Arvin C. Mosley, Jr

Arvin Mosley, Jr is a corporate headhunter, basketball trainer and the Executive Director of Dreams In Sight Foundation. Born in Tacoma, WA, earned his B.A. in English (Central Washington University) and his M.S. in Health and Kinesiology (Georgia Southern University). Since 1999, Arvin has held several student affairs positions on college campuses in the Northwest: Director of Outreach and Recruitment, Assistant Athletic Director, Student Athlete Academic Success Coordinator, WaTEP Program Coordinator, Coordinator of Marketing and Promotions, Interim Head Volleyball Coach. Arvin has also served 9 seasons as the Head Men's Basketball Coach at Tacoma Community College and The Evergreen State College. Arvin is a first generation college graduate who has dedicated his career to helping young people make their dreams come true. As a servant coach and solution-based leader, Arvin is excited about the opportunity to participate in the summit and will lead a session on "dream making".

Clinton Taylor

Clinton is heralded as one of the most powerful and engaging new Inspirational Speakers and Life Development Professional on the speaking circuit today. Clinton has spoken locally and regionally at Colleges, High Schools, Middle Schools, Youth Academies, Drug and Alcohol facilities, Prisons, Correctional Institutions and Fortune 500 companies.

Jose S. Gutierrez Jr., M.Ed

Raised in Olympia, Jose S. Gutierrez Jr. and his sister were reared in a household led by a mother who personified hard-work, excellence and best efforts only. He is a professional writer/editor, music/film/TV producer/director, scholar and professional in the various areas of discipline, including Hip-Hop Culture, Media & Communications, Public Speaking, 'Gangology', Multicultural Education & Competence, Sexual Education & Rape Prevention and he is a college professor teaching at four institutions. Mr. Gutierrez has proudly served our communities as a law enforcement official specializing in communications, restorative justice, negotiations & mediation, special & joint operations and has worked from municipal to international agencies, having served with honor, integrity and award-winning distinction. Mr. Gutierrez is founder of The Edutainment Academy, Black/Brown Men Making A Difference, Hip-Hop 4 The Homeless and proud member of The Universal Zulu Nation, The Temple of Hip-Hop and The Union of Hip-Hop. Mr. Gutierrez continues to pursue his passions as an executive coach & consultant as well as a mentor and educator of those in need. His desire is to do his best at whatever he plans and attempts, and to achieve outcomes that benefits himself and our communities.

location

Highline College is located at:

2400 South 240 Street, Des Moines, WA 98198

All Summit sessions will take place on the first floor of the Highline Sudent Union (Building 8)

View campus map →

Please email us if you have any questions.