Hundreds of black men encouraged to ‘Stand Up’
INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) – The second annual ‘No More Excuses Black Men. Stand Up!’ conference took place on Saturday at Lawrence Central High School to help 250 black boys and men heal from pain and move towards becoming productive members of society.
The group participated in discussions about accountability, the value and importance of education, important steps to help decrease the violence in our communities and the power of healing.
Conference organizer and motivational speaker Robert Jackson said, “I want to make sure these young men leave knowing they’re not the only ones who are growing up in poverty or growing up in pain. But more importantly we want to teach them about how to get to the next level. We want to teach them solutions on not just coming through poverty, but teach them solutions on how to be good men in society, how to be good fathers (and) how to be good husbands. Not just fathers, we need more fathers being husbands. And our young men need to see these examples and we want to lead by example.”
One of the young participants said, “I’m just trying to be respectful, a better listener (and) do things like a man would do. I want to go to school, get my education, go to high school (and) get my master’s degree so I can go somewhere. Either go pro or I want to have my own business.”
The following people were guest speakers this year:
- Robert Jackson, National Speaker, Author and Conference Organizer
- Congressman Andre’ Carson, Indiana’s 7th Congressional District
- Tanya Bell, President & CEO, Indiana Black Expo, Inc.
- Gary Bracket, Author & Former NFL Linebacker, Indianapolis Colts
- Dr. Shawn Smith, Superintendent, MSD of Lawrence Township
- Dr. Jeffry Woods, Regional Director of Expectations Project
- Ontay Johnson, Executive Director, 100 Black Men of Indianapolis
- Pastor James Anthony Jackson, New Beginnings Fellowship Church
- J. Christopher Hull, Minister, Relationship Consultant
- Alex Burton, City County Council of Evansville
- Pastor John Ramsey, New Life Worship Center
The Indiana Black Expo was the platinum sponsor. The organization’s president and CEO, Tanya Bell, stated, “Indiana Black Expo is committed to coming alongside our young men of color to help address and eliminate personal and external barriers to their success.”
Jackson said he’s hoping to continue with the annual conference. He said he’s now looking to secure more sponsors for the next event.