On Friday April 29, DU hosted its 7th annual Black Male Initiative Summit (BMIS). This program was hosted by the faculty at the Center for Multicultural Excellence (CME) in order to give black male students in 8th and 9th grade the opportunity to be in an environment that supports academic achievement in graduating high school and higher education, leadership and a space of fellowship as they build their identity as black male students.

The program is inspired by the figures from the National Center for Education Statistics that in 2008, the high school graduation rate for black males was 31.4 percent, while black women graduated at 43.1 percent. BMIS now seeks to empower these men to thrive both in and out of school, as well as present tools best needed to support young black men.

The theme for this year’s Black Male Initiative Summit was “My Legacy: Achieving Black Excellence”. The program offered workshops led by black males on topics centered around their education and identity, which are important subjects for black male students. The workshops were also created to inspire these students to make a change within their home, schools and communities.

The event began at 8 a.m. on April 29 with an environment of excitement and passion. The students were not only excited to be missing a day of class, but were also thrilled to be in a community of people who shared the same experiences. Friends were made among the students easily and stories of their desires were shared. The workshops gave them a passion to strive to do their best academically and in their everyday lives. The Black Male Initiative Summit is sure to be a memorable event for all the black male students who participated.