Former NAACP President, CEO Featured Keynote Speaker at KU’s 2023 UJIMA Conference Feb. 15-16
KUTZTOWN, Pa. – Kutztown University’s Multicultural Center is hosting its annual Ujima Conference Feb. 15-16. This year’s theme is centered on reimagining cultural authenticity. As part of KU’s celebration of Black History Month, this two-day event will feature former president and CEO of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), Cornell William Brooks.
"Ujima" is one of the seven principles of Kwanzaa, meaning "community" or "collective work and responsibility". This conference gives students opportunities to research areas of interest and enhance presentation skills. It is open to all Kutztown University students, faculty and staff, as well as students invited from other System Schools and surrounding universities and colleges.
Cornell William Brooks, American lawyer, activist and the 18th President and CEO of the NAACP, will speak at 4 p.m., Thursday, Feb. 16, 218 MSU. Brooks attended Jackson State University, where he received a bachelor’s degree in political science with honors. He subsequently earned his Master of Divinity with a concentration in social ethics and systematic theology at the Boston University School of Theology. While studying as a Martin Luther King Scholar, Brooks was awarded both the Oxnam-Leibman Fellowship for outstanding scholarship and promoting racial harmony, and the Jefferson Fellowship for outstanding scholarship and excellence in preaching.
The complete list of events for the 2023 Ujima Conference is found below.
UJIMA Conference Day 1
Feb. 15
9-10 a.m., Multicultural Center (MCC): Kickoff Breakfast.
10-11 a.m., MCC: The Administrative Sports Ceiling: Lack of Representation in Sports (Presenter: Bilal Salaam)
1-2 p.m., MCC: LGBTQ+ Workshop (co-sponsored with LGBTQ+ Resource Center)
2-4 p.m., MCC: Bingo featuring prizes (Co-sponsored with the Office of Student Involvement)
5-9 p.m., MSU 233: Beauty Pop Up Shop featuring demonstrations and local vendors (Co-sponsored with BSU).
UJIMA Conference Day 2
Feb. 16
Open to Public
11 a.m. to noon, MSU 218: Paint and Sip
Noon-1 p.m., MSU 218: Bag Lunch Discussion (co-sponsored with Veterans Services)
1-2 p.m., MSU 218” "I Only Speak English," (Re)Conceptualizing Notions of Identity at the Transparent Crossroads of Language and Culture (Presenter: Dr. Brenda Muzeta)
4-5 p.m., MSU 218: Keynote Speaker: Cornell William Brooks (18th President and CEO of the NAACP).
7-9 p.m., MCC: Celebration with BSU
For more information on the 2023 Ujima Conference, please visit https://www.kutztown.edu/about-ku/administrative-offices/multicultural-services/events.html or contact the Multicultural Center at 610-683-4807 or multicultural@kutztown.edu.