“Standing on Business” is the theme this year for the popular Black & Brown Male Summit, expected to attract hundreds of Black and Brown young men to Highline College on Saturday, Nov. 16, 2024. 

Organizers of the summit describe “Standing on Business” as a phrase often associated with urban culture and can be traced to discussions about loyalty, integrity, commitment and professionalism.

According to Dr. Erich Elwin, Highline College Faculty in Education/Ethnic and Gender Studies, when the Black & Brown Summits were imagined, an agenda rooted in intentionality and purpose was forged. 

“We come back each year because we’re standing on business, i.e. we own our grind,” said Elwin.”

The event typically serves 350+ students and attendees can expect a keynote speaker, more than 10 workshops, and a Resource Fair.

Tacoma resident, Christian Paige is the keynote speaker and uses spoken word as a medium for connecting with the community. Paige believes voice is the most powerful tool and he encourages people to use their voice to advocate, interrupt, empower, and teach.

Loyal Allen Jr, Highline College Associate Dean of Student Funding Services noted, “The Black & Brown Male Summit has helped me grow professionally and personally! I love that I can pour into these young men and learn from them!”

The event will include a panel of accomplished men of color from diverse professional backgrounds who’ll share their personal journeys of resilience, leadership, and success. They will provide insights on what it means to ‘get down to business,’ as men of color, emphasizing strategies for academic success, professional advancement, mental and physical health, and creating pathways for future generations.

The panel ties in with the overall goal of the summit, which is to empower and motivate Black and Brown young men to excel in academics and to accept nothing less than excellence from self. The objectives are:

  • Critique social structures that inhibit Black/Brown young men from being successful in education
  • Highlight the achievements in spite of the obstacles/barriers that they face
  • Contextualize their self-identity socially, culturally, historically, and politically by giving the young men a sense of self and value of self

With the summit now in its 15th year, Rickitia Reid, Highline College Director of Institutional Equity Strategies, credited its success to, “an amazing planning committee and volunteers, committed to serving our community and seeing this program grow each year.” 

The event is free for male-identified high school and college students. Register for the Black & Brown Male Summit while space is available.

Event Details

Saturday, Nov. 16, 2024
8:30 a.m.–2:30 p.m.
Highline’s main campus
Building 8 (Highline Student Union)