More than 700 commit to Black and Brown Male Summit

For the Reporter

More than 700 students and chaperones from throughout South King County attended the Black and Brown Male Summit at Highline College last Saturday.

What started in 2011 with about three dozen young men of color has quickly grown to hundreds attending the free daylong event.

The Black and Brown Summit is geared toward middle and high school students who are undecided about attending college. It is one of the few events of its kind in the nation and the only in Western Washington, according to organizers.

Rashad Norris, Highline College’s director of Community Engagement, said it is a powerful experience for young men of color to see 700 others just like them gathered in the same space. He said these young men need to feel empowered in order to take control of their lives.

“It’s not that they’re victims, but they’re invisible,” said Norris, who was one of the people instrumental in bringing the summit to Highline and works with a committee to put on the event each year.

The 2015 summit ran from 8:15 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Highline’s main campus. Sponsors were the Rotary Club of Federal Way, United Way of King County, Highline College Foundation and Highline College Office of the President.

During the daylong summit, attendees chose from more than a dozen workshops, participated in a leadership activity and enjoyed free breakfast and lunch.

Michael Tuncap gave the keynote address. Born in Guam and raised in Tacoma, Tuncap is working on his Ph.D. and serves as director of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion at Green River College.

“People always ask me about bringing in a big name presenter,” Norris said. “I tell them that I bring in the big names from our local community, the local men of color who are leading and doing great things. That way, when these kids go out to the grocery store or wherever they are, they will see these men who own their own businesses and work at the local colleges and are leaders and mentors right here. These are the local stars who want to help the young men of color succeed.”

Highline serves the most ethnically and culturally diverse area in the state, which is reflected in its student body that includes nearly 70 percent students of color. Supporting and addressing challenges facing men of color is one goal of the Black and Brown Summit.

PHOTO BELOW:

A standing room only crowd of more than 700 packs the Highline College Student Union last Saturday for the Black and Brown Male Summit.