Black and Brown Summit

Reviving Our Roots Through Courageous Conversations

November 14, 2015 — Highline College

thank you

Thank you all who make the summit a success each year!

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.

Summit Archive

View proceedings from the 2014 Summit.



Free Admission  •  Free Breakfast and Lunch  •  Free Enlightenment

agenda View Adult/Chaperone Agenda

8:15 - 8:40 am Registration and Breakfast
8:40 - 9:00am Opening Ceremony
9:00 - 9:50am Keynote Address: Michael (Acfalle Gumataotao) Tuncap
Warriors Work Together: Lessons From SSGT. Tuncap:

Come together my brothers, maila mane'luhu & learn how to empower the warrior spirit inside of each young man on campus. How can schools begin to develop more effective spaces for men of color success? Explore the complex challenges of men of color in public education with interactive learning approaches. What skills do men of color need to survive the challenges of racism, violence & segregation in 2015? Develop confidence & strength from the ChaMoru HaFa of Hip Hop & performance arts to transform the renewing of your mind.

10:00am - 11:15am
Workshops
Carlos Adams Ph.D.
Male Privilege: Exposing the myths and realities of privilege and power

This interactive workshop will address the privileges and relationships among race and masculinity. Through dialogue, the participants examine the theoretical explanations of male privilege in order to understand how and why privilege exists. The session explores privileges’ relationship to racial power and European and American colonialism in order to comprehend the historical construction of privilege. The session continues by developing ways to begin the work of subverting male privilege in order to discover the new and creative futures needed to achieve gender equality.

Louis Guiden Jr. and Vince Perez
Do you really want to take this route

The goal of the panel is to give the young men a specific time and space, to voice their concerns, help provide tools and resources to the audience of listeners, to be change agents in their community. The young men will speak on the topic "Do you really want to take this route". It is our hope, that through the life-stories of the juveniles who are currently incarcerated at Green-hill school, the students attending the assembly will consider how very dangerous, making intentional bad decisions will lead them.

Joshua Magallanes MA., LMHCA., NCC
What does society say? WHAT DO YOU SAY? Masculinity, Maleness, and everything in-between

Come explore through participatory exercises how 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?

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.

Brendan A. Nelson, CNP
Promise and Opportunity: Empowerment for Males of Color

This interactive workshop will promote a positive message of hope and leadership which will aid in good decision making for young men of color. The content focus will be on taking personal responsibility and making the most of your personal circumstances so that participants can rewrite their stories.

Jose S. Gutierrez Jr.
CONTROL, COMPETENCE & CONFIDENCE: How To Conduct Yourself In Encounters With Law Enforcement (…And Hopefully Survive)

Presentation and discussion on the criminal justice system, law enforcement and relations with Black & Brown communities includes clear statistical research that is easily verified, psychological analysis and applicable skills and direction in how to best conduct oneself during an encounter with law enforcement, institutions and individuals wielding authority – in a best effort to survive with dignity.

Dr. Darryl Brice
Reclaiming Scholars: Umoja at Highline College

Many of the educational institutions in the United States are founded on Eurocentric principles. Consequently, many students of color, especially Black students, never get the opportunity to hear or see contributions of/from people like themselves. To combat this problem, Highline College started the first Umoja Black Scholars program in the state of Washington. The goal of this program is to offer students an opportunity to take traditional classes but from an Afrocentric perspective. Further, with principles like “love” and "tapping African American intellectual, spiritual, and artistic voices" as guiding practices in our program students get a chance to have not only an educational experience but also a transformative one as well. Come to this interactive session to learn more about the Umoja Black Scholars program from faculty, staff, and students.

Third Andresen, Jamil Suleman, John Eklof
Hip Hop-Based Education

When students are valued and reflected in their education, the relevance and importance of academic achievement increases. This workshop will encourage everyone to share experiences as students and faculty of color in predominately White educational institutions and society. Participants in this workshop will discuss the notion of "Hip Hop" from scholarly, community perspectives, and from personal engagements. We will demonstrate how contemporary issues are related to "Hip Hop" such as White Supremacy/racism, misogyny/sexism, and other oppressions and relate "Hip Hop" dialogues to the harsh realities that face certain members of our society.

Dennis Coy Denman
Everything I’m Not, Made Me Everything I am

You are not your parents; you are not your friends, everything you are, starts with “I Can!” This workshop addresses the different barriers to success that keeps Black and Brown men from doing their very best. This workshop challenges participants to consider where they come from and where do they want to go? Discussion topics include family life, school life, sense of self and asking for help. Participants of from all ages, grades and colleges are encouraged to participate in this engaging, courageous, Kanye-inspired, conversation and workshop.

11:25am - 12:25pm Leadership Activity

New This Year. Student group leadership activity! In the past, students met in a caucus group setting as one of the breakout sessions, but this year they will be asked to participant in an leadership activity. Our hope around this activity is to have students converse with one another in decision making scenarios. We are truly looking forward to this new addition and think the students will enjoy it as well.

12:30 - 1:30pm Lunch
1:40 - 2:55pm
Workshops
Carlos Adams Ph.D.
Cat Calls and Wolf Whistles: The Nature of Street Harassment and Its Relationship to Brown and Black Masculinity

This session explores the effects cat calls and wolf whistles have on women, especially women of color. It addresses three types of harm they do to women and how it benefits Brown and Black masculinity. It also addresses the nature of male control involved with cat calls and wolf whistles over women we love and the public spaces they inhabit. It ends with developing ways to stop this behavior in order to begin a new relationship with the women in our lives and provide a public space free from this type of oppression.

Joshua Magallanes MA., LMHCA., NCC
What does society say? WHAT DO YOU SAY? Masculinity, Maleness, and everything in-between

Come explore through participatory exercises how 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?

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.

Brendan A. Nelson, CNP
Promise and Opportunity: Empowerment for Males of Color

This interactive workshop will promote a positive message of hope and leadership which will aid in good decision making for young men of color. The content focus will be on taking personal responsibility and making the most of your personal circumstances so that participants can rewrite their stories.

Marcus Harden
Great to Greatest

"Great to Greatest" students will engage in learning about the power of identifying areas of strength and challenges in their lives, using scientific practices from the ACE (Adverse Childhood Experiences study) and learn how to apply them to their everyday life. Participants will also engage in restorative community circle and identifying positive adult and peer supports to help them reach their greatest selves.

Jose S. Gutierrez Jr.
CONTROL, COMPETENCE & CONFIDENCE: How To Conduct Yourself In Encounters With Law Enforcement (…And Hopefully Survive)

Presentation and discussion on the criminal justice system, law enforcement and relations with Black & Brown communities includes clear statistical research that is easily verified, psychological analysis and applicable skills and direction in how to best conduct oneself during an encounter with law enforcement, institutions and individuals wielding authority – in a best effort to survive with dignity.

Dr. Darryl Brice
Reclaiming Scholars: Umoja at Highline College

Many of the educational institutions in the United States are founded on Eurocentric principles. Consequently, many students of color, especially Black students, never get the opportunity to hear or see contributions of/from people like themselves. To combat this problem, Highline College started the first Umoja Black Scholars program in the state of Washington. The goal of this program is to offer students an opportunity to take traditional classes but from an Afrocentric perspective. Further, with principles like “love” and “tapping African American intellectual, spiritual, and artistic voices” as guiding practices in our program students get a chance to have not only an educational experience but also a transformative one as well. Come to this interactive session to learn more about the Umoja Black Scholars program from faculty, staff, and students.

Dennis Coy Denman
Everything I’m Not, Made Me Everything I am

You are not your parents; you are not your friends, everything you are, starts with “I Can!” This workshop addresses the different barriers to success that keeps Black and Brown men from doing their very best. This workshop challenges participants to consider where they come from and where do they want to go? Discussion topics include family life, school life, sense of self and asking for help. Participants of from all ages, grades and colleges are encouraged to participate in this engaging, courageous, Kanye-inspired, conversation and workshop.

Ekk Sisavatdy
Lets Get Down to the Fishbone

Using the fishbone (cause-and-effect) diagram, we will engage in both group and individual activities identifying the possible causes that is stopping us from achieving our goals. This activity will help recognize obstacles and challenges that affects our present lives.

3:00 - 3:30pm Reflection
3:30pm - 4:00pm Closing

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

Michael (Acfalle Gumataotao) Tuncap

Michael Tuncap was born in the village of Aniguak, Guam and raised in Tacoma, Washington. 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. He studied at the University of Virginia in 2000 as a research fellow with the Ralph Bunche Summer Institute. In 2001, he studied at the Goldman School of Public Policy as a research fellow with the Public Policy and International Affairs Institute. 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 and is currently completing his PH.D. Michael worked as a Lead Counselor for the TRIO SSS program at UW Seattle from 2009-10. 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. Michael is the founder 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 as the Director of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion at Green River College, with over 134 ethnic cultures and languages.

presenters

Ousamma Alkhalili

In the academia world he's known as Sam Alkhalili, however, legally known as Oussama Alkhalili. Oussama has been working in higher education since 1992. He’s served as an administrator from 1996 until 2005, at community college and university. Oussama’s been teaching technology since 2001, at university and community colleges. At this time, Sam is a faculty member at Highline College for Business Technology department and also serve as the department coordinator. Since moving to Washington State, he has been involved in many non-profit organizations and served on the boards. At this time, serves as the president of Arab Center of Washington and president of Arab Alliance Chamber of Commerce of Washington State.


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.


Third Andresen

Third Andresen earned his PhD at the UW College of Education in Curriculum and Instruction focusing on Multicultural Education. Third has been involved in the field of education and community organizing in the Filipino American community for 19 years. He is also the Director of the Philippines, China, and New Zealand Study Abroad Program in Comparative History of Ideas and American Ethnic Studies (AES) at the University of Washington.


Dr. Darryl Brice

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 College where he has taught since 2003. While teaching at Highline College he was awarded tenure in 2007. In 2008, Highline 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.


Dennis Coy Denman

Dennis Coy Denman is the Assistant Director of Student Life at Edmonds Community College. Originally, from South Central L.A., he has been working in Washington State higher education for the past four years. Dennis has worked in various roles in Housing/Residence Life, Minority Affairs and Diversity. He has years of experience facilitating leadership, mentoring, and social justice programs. He works tirelessly to support Black and Brown male success by building community and providing resources to those in need. Dennis has a Master’s degree in Higher Education from the University of Washington and Bachelor’s degree in Sociology from UCLA.


John Eklof

John Eklof is a public speaker, poet and educator from Lakewood, Washington. He has dedicated his life to social justice and uplifting the consciousness of his community. John has spent the past 7 years traveling around the country speaking at universities, high schools and open mics sharing the message of changing the world. He works at South Seattle College as the Cultural Center Coordinator, the Wing Luke Museum and writes for the International Examiner.


Louis Guiden Jr

Louis Guiden Jr., is the CEO/President of GuidenU4Life. He has extensive knowledge and experience working with young men of color who are involved in the juvenile justice system. In 2009, he began working with young who are currently incarcerated in Greenhill School, Woodinville Treatment Center, Oakridge, and Touchstone 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.


Jose S. Gutierrez Jr., M.Ed

Mr. Gutierrez is an educator and journalist who has taught and trained law enforcement and criminal justice courses at the university level. As a former law enforcement agent serving with award-winning and recognition bearing service, he has witnessed and studied the sharp contrast between excellent and poor service within law enforcement. His workshop includes coverage of the cognizance of attitudes, behaviors, abuse of position and authority of both citizens and law enforcement and finally, he offers solid and immediately applicable solutions to the problems and issues presented in his presentation.


Marcus Harden

Marcus Harden is currently a Student & Family Advocate at Interagency Academy with Seattle Public Schools. Previously, he was the International Baccalaureate Outreach Manager for his alma mater (and greatest school in the known universe) Rainier Beach High School in Seattle, Washington. Marcus is a proud Seattle native with deep roots in the community and the state, and is passionate about mentoring and facilitating educational opportunities for students while honoring the families and communities they come from.


Charles Jeffreys

Charles Jeffreys is a tenured professor at Seattle Central College and teaches skiing to middle school students through Bellevue Ski School. He has a Master’s and Bachelor’s degree in Psychology, over 30 years teaching experience, and worked with disenfranchised populations most of his career. His master’s degree is cognitive development and socialization in children and adolescents. He wrote a book, The Psychology of Racism, through Pearson custom publishers which is in its 4th edition.


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.


Vince Perez

Vincent Perez is a practitioner of experiential education and currently serves as the Latin@ Outreach Coordinator for the Association of Washington School Principals (AWSP). For over 20 years he’s focused on student engagement and staff development in the areas of leadership, juvenile justice and Latino issues. In 2004, he founded La Cima (the Summit), a bilingual leadership program, and currently leads the Latino Culture Group at a state juvenile prison. As an educator, Vincent aims to honor the dignity, courage, and commitment of children, families, and service providers. He is especially moved by opportunities to witness young people discover their voices and affirm their self worth. Vincent and his wife, Kim Jansen, are raising three wonderful teenage boys. In his free time, he enjoys playing guitar and harmonica.


Ekk Sisavatdy

Laotian American by chance, love by choice is how he describes himself. Ekk graduated from Western Washington University with his undergrad and is in his last quarter of a Masters in Education – Higher Ed through Central Washington University. He currently works as a Program Manager for Retention and Advising at Highline College. As an advisor, Ekk believes in a comprehensive approach empowering students through balance of reality and hope. Ekk's passion is in giving voice to the underrepresented and underserved communities and believes education in any capacity is a foundation for success. He co-founded SEAeD Coalition (Southeast Asian American Access in Education) and serves on it’s council. He also volunteers his time as an Art’s Commissioner and is an Ad Hoc Member of the City of Des Moines’ Master Plan Committee.


Jamil Suleman

Hailing from Seattle, Washington via the Eastside of Rose Hill, Jamil Suleman is a raw and passionate storytelling lyricist with a knack for the clever and his eyes on the future. Performing has been his mode of artist expression since a youth, and now he seeks to utilize his skills to spread a message of positivity and possibility through his music, videos, blogs, and work in the community.



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.


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.

sponsors