GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — Back in its third year, the Black Boys and Men National Symposium is returning to downtown Grand Rapids with a special keynote speaker.
The symposium, which will take place from June 12 through 14 at the Amway Grand Plaza, is put on by Grand Valley State University.
The event is meant to deconstruct the systems that impact the lives of Black boys and men and help rebuild for success. It brings together youth service providers, K-12 educators, higher education faculty and staff, community leaders and more.
Last year, the event had record attendance with nearly 400 attendees.
This year, organizers hope to reach even more people by bringing in Jalen Rose, a sports analyst and former NBA player who was a member of the University of Michigan's "Fab Five."
Rose established the Jalen Rose Leadership Academy, an open enrollment, tuition-free, public charter high school in northwest Detroit. He will be speaking on Wednesday, June 12.
Other keynote speakers include Dr. Walter Kimbrough and Dr. Rashad Richey. Featured presenters are Reginald Beaty and Tony Owens, TaRita Johnson, Dr. Damon F. Arnold and Dr. Dar Mayweather.
You can get tickets starting at $550, which includes a ticket to the Sneaker Ball, an adult-only formal event of "FUNdraising," organizers say.
Register on their website here. Find a full schedule here.
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