Featured Speakers

Opening Session

Speaker: Na’im Akbar, PhD, President,Mind Productions & Associates and Faculty, Department of Psychology, Florida State University
Dr. Na’im Akbar has been acclaimed by Essence Magazine as one of the world’s preeminent Psychologists and a pioneer in the development of an African-centered approach in modern psychology. Tens of thousands of people around the world have read and been inspired by his books including , Akbar Papers in African Psychology, Breaking the Chains of Psychological Slavery, The Community of Self, Visions for Black Men, and Know Thyself.

Legacy Voices Seminar

Monday, October 27    8:30 AM - 10:00 AM
“TO BE AFRICAN, TO BE FAMILY, TO BE AWESOME: RECLAIMING OUR OWN GROUND IN THE GLOBAL VILLAGE”
This Seminar, formerly named for Asa G. Hilliard, III, EdD, Geraldine Wilson and Ernest Smith, MD, pays tribute to these esteemed scholars and will now be the Legacy Voices Seminar.

Speaker: Wade W. Nobles, PhD, Executive Director, The Institute for the Advanced Study of Black Family Life and Culture, Inc and Psychologist and Professor of African Studies, San Francisco State University
In looking forward to the future, this generation must guarantee that the next generation will "walk in the world as a unique and valuable human being with an African face." Dr.Nobles will discuss the three fundamental socializing requisites (family, culture and spirit) for insuring that we have competent, confident and conscious Black children in the village of the future.

Closing Luncheon

Tuesday, October 28    12:15 PM – 2:30 PM
“OUR FUTURE, OUR CHILDREN”

Speaker: Jane E. Smith, PhD, Executive Director, Spelman College Center for Leadership and Civic Engagement (LEADS)
Dr. Smith is an accomplished educator and nonprofit executive. Prior to joining LEADS at Spelman, Dr. Smith held leadership and executive positions at the Martin Luther King, Jr Center for Nonviolent Social Change, INROADS Inc. and The Carter Center. Previously, she served as president and CEO of the National Council of Negro Women and CEO of Business and Professional Women/USA. She is a nationally recognized thought leader and speaker.

Issue Forums

Monday, October 27    10:45 AM - 12:15 PM

EARLY CARE AND EDUCATION ISSUE FORUM
THE FIGHT FOR PRE-K FOR ALL – PROMISING STATE EFFORTS

Speakers: Libby Doggett, PhD, Executive Director, Pre-K Now, Washington, DC, Holly Robinson, EdD, Commissioner, Bright from the Start, Georgia Department of Early Care and Learning , and Maurice Sykes, Urban Educator,Washington, DC
Many states are rapidly progressing towards voluntary pre-k for all.This session will highlight the work in the District of Columbia and Georgia, both on the frontier of pre-k for all in tough fiscal environments. In these states, pre-k for all is well on its way to being a reality. Panelists will discuss successes, effective strategies and challenges yet to overcome. The presentation will lead to a discussion about how these effective efforts might be relevant to other states and what lessons advocates can learn from NBCDI leaders.

EDUCATION ISSUE FORUM
A SYSTEMIC APPROACH FOR PREPARING STUDENTS FOR THE GLOBAL MARKET

Speakers: Dr. Beverly L. Hall, Superintendent, Kathy M. Augustine, Deputy Superintendent for Curriculum and Instruction, Dr. Sharon Davis-Williams, Executive Director, School Reform Team 1, Millicent Few, Chief Human Resources Officer, Dr. Robin Hall, Principal, Beecher Hills Elementary School and Lester J. McKee, Executive Director, Research, Planning and Accountability
Eight years ago, a systemic change process was initiated in Atlanta. Today, NAEP scores are up, one hundred percent of Atlanta’s elementary schools made AYP, schools are successful, organizational processes and practices are improving and community and corporate engagement levels are reaching record proportions. How did this happen? How did this urban district help students beat the odds? The panel will discuss the challenges and successes of transformation and outline strategies,structures and interventions necessary for change and improvement.

RESPONSIBLE FATHERHOOD FORUM
STRENGTHENING FAMILIES: STRATEGIES FOR WORKING WITH LOW-INCOME FATHERS
Sponsored by the Annie E. Casey Foundation

Speakers: Joseph Jones, President, Center for Urban Families, Baltimore, MD , Jennifer W. McCrary, Interim Vice President for Programs, The Center for Working Families, Wallace McLaughlin, President/CEO, Fathers and Families Center, Indianapolis, IN and Carlis V.Williams, Southeast Regional Administrator/Senior Policy Advisor to the Assistant Secretary for Program Integration and Corporate Initiatives, Administration for Children and Families, USDHHS, Washington, DC
Panelists will provide forum attendees an understanding of the diversity of responsible fatherhood program models. This interactive session will give participants exposure to experienced practitioners who use proven approaches and techniques to deliver services to low-income fathers within the context of a strengthening families framework. The Forum will also include a perspective on what and how the federal government is promoting the integration of responsible fatherhood and healthy marriage in its strategy to promote and provide quality services to children and families.