NAACP summit hopes to empower youth
Published Tuesday, March 25, 2008
The African-American Student Leadership Conference opened with Frank Withrow, better known as “The Middle-Aged Rapper” spitting out verses about staying away from drugs and completing college.
The students responded with enthusiastic claps and cheers.
“You only live once, and this is not a practice,” Withrow told the students.
Virgie King, NAACP Fairbanks chapter president and African-American Student Leadership Conference Committee chairperson, said the event was created so black students could see role models succeeding in different fields.
“It was for them to see, in person, a person who set goals and achieved them,” King said.
This year’s conference spans two days, starting Monday with a program for middle school students at Tanana Middle School and a youth summit community forum for all secondary school students at Ryan Middle School. It continues with a high school conference today at the Regal Goldstream Stadium 16 Theater. King said more than 400 students from the district registered for the conference.
The conference also celebrates its 20th year at Tanana Middle School. King said, for the most part, the goals of the conference haven’t changed over time but there have been additions to the topics covered. This year’s middle school event has a panel discussion about sexual health and how to use technology.
“It’s important to have knowledge in the computer age,” King said.
Panelist Rolando Brown, owner of a technology and business consulting company in New York City, spoke to the students about using the Internet to promote themselves and create opportunities.
A longtime motivational speaker, author and educator, Withrow, the United Black Student Unions of California Advisory Board chairman, said the biggest change he has seen over the years is the effect of technology on young people’s lives.
But his teachings for success are simple — treat people the way you want to be treated, don’t hang out with the wrong people, know the importance of good planning and having a positive attitude.
Withrow also will be speaking at today’s conference for high school students.
“Students need common sense, critical thinking and willpower,” he said.