The Black Male Collegiate Society
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A Summit for Black Men
In April, 2010, ten young black men from UIS attended the Black Male Summit at the University of Akron. Speakers included psychologist Joseph White, Grammy award winning hip-hop artist Common, and Lebron James’ advisor Randy Mims.
The UIS men’s attendance was sponsored by the Diversity Center.
“The Summit changed a lot of my attitudes,” says Raymond Young, student at UIS. “When I saw how the successful men there were dressed, I couldn’t help but think of the many black men at UIS who don’t even own a suit. It really helped me set my sights higher.”
A Turning Point
In fact, the Summit so affected the men that upon their return to UIS they formed the Black Male Collegiate Society, an officially recognized student organization at UIS. Today, about 15 men meet twice a week to provide support for each other and to discuss issues that affect them as black male college students, to plan events, and listen to speakers who encourage and inform them.
Why does UIS need a Black Male Collegiate Society? Black men need to support each other because those who want to complete college and then get a job face obstacles—first the obstacle of completing college and then the obstacle of getting a job.
Completing College
According to the American Council on Education: “When determining graduation probabilities over a six-year period, black males were found to have a graduation rate of 35 percent. This compares with rates of 59 percent, 46 percent and 45 percent for white males, Hispanic males and black women, respectively.
“In other words, black men are a little more than half as likely to finish college when compared to their white male counterparts.”
Why the disparity? Some speculate it has to do with a lack of black male professors, inferior high school programs, unwillingness to value education as much as other pursuits, and low expectations. Whatever the reason, black men can benefit from the support the Black Male Collegiate Society can provide.
Employment After Graduation
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, “The unemployment rate for black male college graduates 25 and older in 2009 has been nearly twice that of white male college graduates — 8.4 percent compared with 4.4 percent”—regardless of career or college background.
The young men of UIS’ Black Male Collegiate Society believe their club can help by serving as role models to other members of the society, by encouraging and even tutoring members to overcome academic problems, to cheer educational attainment, and to hold each other to high academic, leadership, and service goals.
Even the simplest gatherings can cost money, however, if even just for soft drinks and pizza. And the BMCS is hoping to sponsor much more than weekly meetings.
Coming Events
The Society will be sponsoring a conference at UIS in the spring—Am I My Brother’s Keeper, BCMS Expo ’11. The 
Expo will have sessions on:
- Financial planning
- Healthy relationships
- College skills
- Social contacts
- Family strength
The BMCS hopes that black men throughout the Springfield area will attend, including students from other colleges. The Society will be paying for publicity, materials, food, some minimal speaker’s honoraria, and travel, so your support will be greatly appreciated. Please give generously.
If you are interested in hearing more about this conference, any of the young men listed at right will arrange a meeting for you.
Also, in the spring, members plan a return to the University of Akron Black Male Summit. The cost for this will be $300/student.
The Society needs your help for these events, as well as other events.
How You Can Help
Please consider making a gift in support of either the Expo or the fees to participate in the Black Male Summit. Your gift in any amount would be appreciated. Contact the Office of Development, 217.206.6058, for information about how to give.
Alternatively, if you would like to meet with one of these fine young men, please contact one of young men below, any of whom can arrange to have a few of the men speak to your organization.
We hope you will take advantage of the opportunity to meet these wonderful young men. They will convince you better than anyone or anything that an investment in their future is worthwhile.
Contact Information
Email:
- Justin Rose (jrose22@uis.edu)
- Anthony Thomas Davis (ahen3@uis.edu)
- Raymond Young (ryoun4@uis.edu)
Phone: 217.206.6334
Questions?
Please contact the Office of Development at giftinfo@uis.edu or 217.206.6058 if you have questions about how to give.