City’s Commission on the Status of Black Males Invites Local Teens to Second Annual Black Male Youth Summit

The City of Bloomington Commission on the Status of Black Males (CSBM) invites middle school- and high school-aged males to attend a one-day Black Male Youth Summit in Bloomington on Thursday, April 29, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. via Zoom. “More Life” is the theme of the second annual summit.  The summit, focused on African American and Latino males, is open to young men of all races and backgrounds.
 
Partnering to present the summit, the Monroe County Community School Corporation (MCCSC) will excuse registered middle school and high school attendees from classes during the hours of the summit. Registration for the free event must be made by Tuesday, April 27 at www.bloomington.in.gov/csbm.

"The Commission on the Status of Black Males is very excited to partner with the MCCSC in bringing this leadership opportunity to the young Black men of Bloomington,” said CSBM Chair James Sanders.  “We feel it is imperative to display various roads to success and wellbeing from men that look like them and share their plight as Black men."
 
Students attending the online summit will have the opportunity to participate in workshops in Sports and Career Success, Mental Health and Mindfulness, and Masculinity and Sexuality led by professionals from the fields of higher education, business, and mental health.  Workshop leaders include Brian Richardson, Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion for the Indianapolis Colts; Nelson Zoloume, Ph.D. candidate, Department of Counseling Psychology, Indiana University; and Dr. Lemuel Watson, Vice President for Diversity, Equity, and Multicultural Affairs, Provost Professor of School of Education and African American and African Diaspora Studies, Co-Director of the Rural Center for AIDS/STD Prevention, and Senior Scientist at the Kinsey Institute at Indiana University.
 
“Our City is committed to supporting equity and opportunity for our young Black and Latino men,” said Mayor John Hamilton.  “We sincerely appreciate MCCSC’s partnership and the efforts of the commissioners and the guest speakers to create this opportunity for camaraderie, inspiration, and growth.”
  
The Black Male Summit is dedicated to championing fairness and empowering, enhancing, and nurturing children and youth through community engagement.  More broadly, the goals of the summit are to provide space and opportunity for students of color to express themselves, learn and make memorable connections, and highlight men of color in our community who have skills and information to offer to our youth.  The summit also seeks to support students of color by coordinating and delivering resources and information specifically addressing the needs and concerns of this traditionally underrepresented group.  
 
For more information please visit the Black Male Summit Info Page or contact City of Bloomington Safe and Civil City Director Shatoyia Moss at mosss@bloomington.in.gov ​

Brian Richardson

Nelson Zoloume

Dr. Lemuel Watson