Southeastern to host African American Male Empowerment Summit
Thursday, July 15, 2021
by: Tonya Lowentritt
HAMMOND – Southeastern Louisiana University’s College of Education and Department
of Educational Leadership and Technology, as well as the Sons of Promise and Daughters
of Destiny Organization, are presenting the African American Male Empowerment Summit
July 23 and 24. Titled “Twenty-one Years into the 21st Century: Where are we now,
and how do we pursue greater equity in key quality of life indicators,” the event
will take place in Southeastern’s Student Union Ballroom.
Southeastern Assistant Professor John Hatcher, organizer of the summit, said
that the purpose of the summit is to discuss the community and to chart a new course
for quality of life indicators, such as educational attainment, economic and social
justice.
“Those attending the summit can be a part of creating a shared vision on how
to pursue greater equity in our communities through tiered mentorship and a collective
wisdom,” he said. “We will also discuss real and relevant challenges experienced by
African American Males in the 21st century and how to create a viable support system
for the target population, while helping develop a strategic plan to engage one another
and our communities.”
The keynote speaker is the Senior U.S. District Judge, the Honorable Ivan L.R.
Lemelle. Lemelle’s federal judicial service includes serving as a judge in the U.S.
District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana. Bill Clinton nominated him on
Feb. 12, 1997, to a seat vacated by Veronica D. Wicker. Lemelle was confirmed by the
Senate on April 3, 1998, and received commission on April 7, 1998. Ultimately, he
received senior status on June 29, 2015, and was inducted into the National Bar Association’s
Hall of Fame.
The summit includes numerous panel discussions, guest speakers, and meals. Registration
is $25 per person and is available by emailing Hatcher at john.hatcher@southeastern.edu.
