'Challenges and Opportunities' theme of leadership conference

The Messenger 03.22.10
“Challenges and Opportunities” is the theme of the 12th annual African-American Leadership Conference, slated 8:30 a.m.-2:15 p.m. April 6 at the West Tennessee Center for Agricultural Research in Jackson.
This conference is made possible by the WestStar Leadership Program, in partnership with the City of Brownsville, Tennessee Access & Diversity Initiative, Walmart, First South Bank, Hardin County Government, City of Covington, Gibson County Utility District, West Tennessee Healthcare and the UT Institute of Public Service.
This year’s keynote speaker is retired judge D’Army Bailey.
A native of Memphis, Bailey enrolled in college at Southern University, where he joined other students in protest demonstrations against segregation in Baton Rouge. After completing his juris doctor at Yale University in 1967, he worked in New York as national director of the Law Students Civil Rights Research Council.
Bailey is also a founder of the National Civil Rights Museum at the Lorraine Motel in Memphis.
Registration and a continental breakfast is slated from 8:30-9 a.m. UT Martin Chancellor Tom Rakes and Charley Deal, UT Martin WestStar executive director, will speak from 9-9:15 a.m., followed by Bailey from 9:15-10 a.m.
“Regional Initiatives: STEP Program/REDI/Mega Site” is the topic from 10-10:30 a.m., presented by Willie Spencer, mayor of Hardeman County and WestStar Class of 2006 alumnae. “Social Networking/Security/Avoiding Identity Theft using Technology” is the topic of Donnie Bradford, owner of the Connetus I.T. Solutions Inc., in Memphis and Jackson, from 10:45-11:30 a.m.
Lunch will be served at 11:30 a.m., followed by a presentation from 12:30-1:15 p.m., “The Facts about Domestic Abuse (and What to do When you Know the Facts)” by Dr. Robin Kimbrough, legal counsel for Tennessee Coalition Against Domestic and Sexual Violence in Nashville. From 1:15-2 p.m., the final presentation, “Healthcare” will be presented by the Rev. Willie Henry Jr., constituent services representative for U.S. Rep. Steve Cohen.
From 2-2:15 p.m., the day’s events will end with award presentations, reflections and door prizes.
E-mail registrations to Virginia Grimes, WestStar coordinator, at vgrimes@utm.edu or fax them to (731) 881-7019. Registration also is available online at www.utm.edu/weststar. The registration deadline is March 31.
The conference fee is $35 per person or $60 for two. The fee includes breakfast and lunch.
For more information, contact Ms. Grimes at (731) 881-7298.

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