Johnson C. Smith University and Livingstone College will sponsor a two-day symposium this fall focused on black and minority males.

The event, scheduled for Nov. 4-5, will coincide with the 2010 Commemorative Classic – an annual game that celebrates the history of black college football.

The symposium’s theme will be: Black and Minority Males Taking Flight through Personal Development, Knowledge Sharing and Commitment to Community.

At a Wednesday press conference, officials from the two schools said the symposium will include an interdenominational coalition from North and South Carolina.

The goal of the event is identify regional strategies that can prepare African American boys for manhood and engaged citizenship.

“We are very proud of our football teams and the competitiveness that exists between us and other teams that we play,” said Livingstone College President Jimmy Jenkins. “However, the establishment of the Commemorative Classic is about a clarion call to our students.”

Jenkins said HBCUs must become “communiversities” that seek to address the problems facing black communities.

Symposium topics will include health and wellness, relationship development, leadership development, gang and violence recognition/prevention, and others. The event also will include nationally recognized speakers, noted black athletes, and music groups.
The 2010 Classic is scheduled for Nov. 6 at 1 p.m. at Charlotte Memorial Stadium. JCSU won last year’s Classic 30-15 in Salisbury.

The match-up between the two schools dates back to December 27, 1892, when JCSU and Livingstone played what is thought to be the first football game between black colleges. Biddle University, which eventually became JCSU, won that game 5-0.
 

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