African American and Latino males remain historically underrepresented throughout higher education, and their persistence and retention rates are significantly lower than other student populations. Founded by Hillsborough Community College (HCC) and sponsored by the HCC Office of Equity, Diversity and Special Projects, the 14th Annual Black, Brown and College Bound Summit (BBCB) will be held on March 6 – 9, 2020, at the Tampa Bay Convention Center. John Quiñones will keynote this year’s Dr. Sylvia Marion Carley Luncheon on March 9. Quiñones is a seven-time national Emmy Award winner for his Primetime Live, Burning Questions and 20/20 work.
“Our goal is to provide the resources and support to help these young men graduate and become productive members of their communities,” said Dr. Ken Atwater, president of HCC. “BBCB provides a platform where attendees can discuss the unique issues facing this population and make lasting connections with successful minority males in their respective industries.”
Nationally award-winning ABC news correspondent and television anchor John Quiñones is an author and inspiring motivational speaker. His What Would You Do? show is among the highest-rated newsmagazine programs in these times. Popular as a plenary speaker, Quiñones will be the first Hispanic/Latino to give the keynote address.
The theme of this year’s summit is Empowering Black and Latino Men in College: Taking Care of Business Through Education. Presentations will be focused on advancing the educational pathways from high school to college, strategies and best practices to increase degree completion, overcoming policy barriers, and entrepreneurship and employment.
The summit brings together national experts, educational leaders, practitioners and students to discuss the programs and strategies that have proven effective in increasing the academic achievement of underrepresented males in higher education.
Additional speakers include:
Alfredo Quiñones-Hinojosa, M.D., “Dr. Q,” chair of neurologic surgery at the Mayo Clinic in Florida, whose life will soon become a movie.
Juan Williams, one of America’s leading political writers and thinkers with three decades of experience reporting from Washington, D.C.
Jose Vargas, Philippines-born Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist, Emmy-nominated filmmaker, and theatrical producer. A leading voice for the human rights of immigrants, he founded the non-profit media and culture organization Define American.
Ndaba Mandela, grandson of the late Nelson Mandela. His recent book, Going to the Mountain: Life Lessons from My Grandfather, Nelson Mandela, is the first-ever to tell Nelson Mandela's life through the eyes of the grandson he raised.
Full conference details including registration information can be found at hccfl.edu/bbcb.
Hillsborough Community College serves more than 48,000 students annually on campuses on Dale Mabry Highway in Tampa and in Plant City, Ybor City, Brandon, and Ruskin. Hillsborough Community College is accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.