FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: April 27, 2005
CONTACT: Loretta Heyward, Communications Director
heywardl@savstate.edu
912/356-2448

SSU and AASU join to host African-American Male Initiative Program

SAVANNAH—Savannah State University and Armstrong Atlantic State University will host the African-American Male Initiative Program, a University System of Georgia (USG) initiative aimed at increasing enrollment and retention of African-American males at the state’s 34 public colleges and universities, on Friday, May 13, 9 a.m.-3 p.m., in the King-Frazier Student Center ballroom on the SSU campus. The program is free and open to the public, and parents and interested community members are encouraged to attend.

The program will include various solution-oriented speakers, such as Loren Blanchard, representative of the president, University of Louisiana System; George Bowen, superintendent, Savannah-Chatham County Public Schools; Jenel Few, higher education reporter, Savannah Morning News; Emby Miller, director of Education and Youth Services, the Columbus Urban League; Van Johnson, first district alderman, Savannah City Council; Jill Joplin, director of development, Knowledge is Power Program (KIPP); Jamil Muhammad, national spokesman for Minister Louis Farrakhan, the Nation of Islam; and Kevin Powell, noted author and acclaimed speaker, State of the Black Male Series 2005. These speakers will address successful models that have worked to bridge the gap and focus students on education.

There will be sessions Thursday, May 12, 9 a.m.-3 p.m., in the Jordan Building on the SSU campus for 200 male elementary, middle and high school students from Savannah-Chatham County Public Schools.

Savannah State University and Armstrong Atlantic State University are two of six institutions in three targeted areas of the state that received a USG pilot grant in 2004. The pilot grant required a collaborative approach between sister institutions in the designated regions and the participation of a civic partner that works with African-American males. This year, the universities will partner with the Savannah-Chatham County school district.

In 2003, Savannah State University was one of six institutions to receive a $10,000 AAMI pilot grant, which was used to support two existing outreach programs. The funds allowed more students to attend Savannah State’s Summer Pipeline, an eight-week program that allowed promising 11th and 12th grade students to earn college credit while in high school. Upward Bound, an outreach program for high school students, also benefited from the AAMI funds.

 

-SSU-
The save-the-date postcards announced that the location of the May 13 program would be Torian Auditorium in the Jordan Building; however, please note that the May 13 program will be held in the King-Frazier Student Center ballroom at SSU.