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Jeff Johnson
to Speak at 28th Annual Conference for
Aspiring Minority Youth
Special to The Truth
Youth advocate, social activist, political commentator,
award-winning journalist and author Jeff Johnson, will be
the keynote speaker at The University of Toledo’s TOLEDO
EXCEL 28th Annual Conference for Aspiring Minority Youth on
Saturday, January 28, beginning at 8:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. in
The University of Toledo Student Union Auditorium. Free
lunch will be provided. The conference is sponsored by
TOLEDO EXCEL and the UT Joint Committee. This year’s
conference theme is “Today’s Planning—Tomorrow’s Success.”
The conference is free and open to the public. To make
reservations visit
www.utoledo.edu/utlc/excel or by calling 419.530.3820.
From Johnson’s celebrated conversations with world figures
in the political, business and entertainment arenas, to his
grass-roots trench work to inspire the next generation of
leaders; Johnson continues to be a trailblazing social
entrepreneur and authentic voice for change.
“Recognized for his socio-political influence, Jeff has
earned a reputation as a positive force among youth and
young adults,” said David Young, director of The Office of
EXCELlence and the TOLEDO EXCEL program. “His commitment to
fostering broad-based communication about issues related to
race, politics, popular culture and socioeconomics will make
him an outstanding speaker for this conference.”
“The goal of the conference is to
give parents and students methods for making short term
decisions with long term consequences in mind,” added
Young. “We hope to encourage students to use foresight in
their day to day decision making and equip them with the
necessary tools to make positive choices personally,
educationally and career-wise.”
After the general session featuring
Johnson, there will be breakout session for parents. The
parents' session will provide parents with tools they need
to put together an action plan that will propel their child
into a bright future and also assist parents in
understanding the critical role they play in serving as a
guide and counselor in decision making as their child
develops into a responsible young adult. Parent session
presenters include Talmadge J. Thomas, senior pastor of Mt.
Zion Church, and Teresa Quinn, principal of Ella P. Stewart
Academy for Girls, both from Toledo, Ohio.
A concurrent students session titled,
“One Moment From Greatness: Decisions Equal Destiny” will
feature Coach George Rice, III, CEO and head coach of Triple
Threat Enterprises, LLC, based in Washington, DC. Rice, an
energetic, unconventional and engaging speaker, will
encourage students to think beyond the present and
understand their daily decisions have a major impact in long
term planning. He will also stress the value of patience
and forethought in the decision making process and encourage
students to seek the advice of parents, teachers, mentors
and peers when faced with difficult decisions.
TOLEDO EXCEL was established in 1988 to help groups of
students under-represented in higher education, including
African, Appalachian, Asian, Hispanic and Native Americans,
for success in college. Through services such as summer
institutes, academic retreat weekends, campus visits and
guidance through the admission process, students increase
their self-esteem, cultural awareness and civic
involvement.
The Office of EXCELlence is a hub of academic programs,
activities and services that reach students in the eighth
grade through high school graduation and beyond. These
programs include: TOLEDO EXCEL, Upward Bound, and Student
Support Services. The Office of EXCELlence is a division of
the UT Learning Collaborative that works to support and
enhance the academic journey.
The thirty-six member UT Joint Committee includes
representatives from The University of Toledo, Toledo Public
and Parochial schools and civic and community leaders from
the city of Toledo. The mission of the committee is to bring
together people in the Toledo community interested in the
education of underrepresented youth. The UT Joint Committee
also serves as an advisory board and support system for
TOLEDO EXCEL.
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