Famous Scholars Call for National Dialogue About "The State of HBCUs"

July 22, 2010 - PRLog -- In this 21st Century, our educational systems have evolved into a difficult environment to navigate for students, faculty and administrators.  The Historically Black Colleges, however, which were established out of the many inequalities faced by people of color, are engulfed in an environment more difficult than many, undergoing increased scrutiny about the success of their attendees and the need, if any, for their existence. The NAACP Student Chapter of Cheyney University, the nation’s oldest historically black institution of higher education, is gearing up to host its 3rd Annual Education Conference on August 13-15, 2010.

“The State of the HBCU,” is the theme of this year’s Education Conference featuring renowned scholars and experts in various fields such as the “Father of Afrocentricity,” Dr. Molefi Kete Asante, and Poet Laureate,  Amiri Baraka.

The conference will consist of panel discussions and workshops, designed to give high school and college students, parents, educators, and stake holders in education, the opportunity to engage in a dialogue and learn about some of the issues specific to African Americans and other racial and ethnic minorities,” and bring to light the history, purpose, achievements and struggles of the HBCU and its relevance in today’s society.  Evening activities will also be available for students/non-students accommodated  in on campus housing during the conference.  Topics will range from  sessions about coming “From the Corner, to the Campus”,  “Accreditation” and  the effects of “Brown vs. The Board of Education”.  The Student NAACP Chapter of Cheyney University encourages all interested to pre-register through its website: www.cheyney.edu/naacp .

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Cheyney University is the nation’s oldest historically Black institution of higher education, and the only HBCU in the PA State System of Higher Education. It offers baccalaureate degrees in more than 30 disciplines and six master’s degree programs.