Wittenberg University

Wittenberg Students Celebrate Black History Month
At Annual Black Knowledge Conference

(left to right) Wendy Ford, Latesha Clay and Stephen Pope share a light moment during the Alumni Career Panel

SPRINGFIELD, Ohio – As part of Wittenberg University's Black History Month festivities, the student organization Concerned Black Students (CBS) hosted its annual Black Knowledge Conference on Saturday, Feb. 24. The theme for the 2007 event was "Striving Toward Success."

Ryan Gresham, class of 2003 who currently serves as linebackers coach for the Wittenberg football team, opened the conference with tips on performing well academically on a predominantly white campus. After graduating from Eastmoor High School in Columbus, Ohio, which has an African American population of 98.5 percent, Wittenberg provided a change for Gresham.

"Wittenberg is a microcosm of what the real world looks like," he said. "I heard so much from my parents about stepping outside of what you know, and Wittenberg gave me that opportunity."

The social aspect of living on a predominantly white campus was presented by Shakeer Abdullah, class of 1999, who is currently the director of multicultural affairs at Capital University's School of Law. Abdullah encouraged conference participants to broaden their horizons and to try things they aren't used to as a way to expand their world view.

"The social aspect is one of the most important things," he said. “You’re only in the classroom a small portion of the time, and the rest of your learning is done outside of the classroom."

(left to right) Black Knowledge Conference panelists Kiara Heidenreich, Alexandra Edwards, Mabel Jackson, Erik Larkin and Lamarr Lewis

Other conference activities included a Career Development Workshop led by Stephen Pope, class of 2003, Wendy Ford, class of 1976, and Latesha Clay, class of 2006. Each panelist provided information on meshing professionalism and personality, as well as being prepared for interviews and finding the right career path.

The afternoon session consisted of a panel discussion titled "Our Image: The Black Brother, The Black Sister, The Black Bond," led by Erik Larkin, class of 2009 from Cincinnati, Ohio, Kiara Heidenreich, class of 2010 from Dayton, Ohio, Lamarr Lewis, class of 2005, and Mabel Jackson, associate professor emerita of English. Topics included Barack Obama’s candidacy for president, the role of the black family and media portrayals of African Americans.

Conference festivities were completed with a special dinner, a musical performance by Springfield group Quiet Storm and a night of dancing in Wally's Pub.

"I think that the conference went really well," said Alexandra Edwards, class of 2007 from Cleveland, Ohio. "Gresham and Abdullah provided first-year students with a lot of information that will enhance their experience on campus and allow students to get involved and create their own atmosphere."

Written By: Erica Strauss '08
Photos Submitted By Forest Wortham

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