Nearly 300 young African American male students from across the San Gabriel Valley gathered at Pasadena City College for the 15th annual Young African American Male Conference on February 9th. This year’s conference, themed Connectivity: Leveraging Brotherhood to Achieve Excellence in Education and Beyond, aimed to empower and inspire participants through workshops, panels, and networking opportunities.
Organized by the African American Male Education Network Development program, the conference addressed the needs of marginalized young black men. Stefan McGrew, educational advisor with Pasadena City College’s Upward Bound Program, emphasized the importance of supporting this demographic.
Workshops covered a range of topics, including financial literacy, mental health, career readiness, and cultural information. To ensure relevance and engagement, students were actively involved in selecting the content.
Despite the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, this year’s event saw an impressive turnout, thanks to the support of several Pasadena City College departmental grants, including the Freeman Center. The conference had been virtual for the past two years, but McGrew was determined to bring the students together in person. To achieve this, he enlisted the help of a street team comprising young black professionals who visited surrounding schools to spread the word and encourage attendance.
The workshops provided a well-rounded experience, covering diverse areas such as coding, financial literacy from a black perspective, and the intersection of music and business. By polling students beforehand, the organizers ensured that the conference content aligns with their interests, further enhancing the focus and appeal of the event.
McGrew expressed his commitment to the conference’s future, envisioning it as an annual event that continually expands its outreach to positively impact more young black men. Recognizing that resources can be scarce for this demographic, the African American Male Education Network Development program at Pasadena City College provides essential services like academic support, leadership development, mentoring, college tours, and personalized financial assistance counseling to address their unique needs.
The conference not only aims to empower and inspire young African American men but also promotes connectivity and brotherhood by fostering a supportive community. McGrew believes that seeing and collaborating with individuals who look like oneself is critical for personal growth, networking, and achieving excellence in education and beyond.
The Young African American Male Conference at Pasadena City College has become a significant platform for young black men to find empowerment, support, and invaluable resources. Through workshops, panels, and networking opportunities, it enables these students to connect with like-minded peers and professionals who share their experiences and understand their unique challenges. In an educational landscape that often fails to adequately address their needs, the conference serves as a beacon of hope, guidance, and empowerment for young black men striving for excellence.
