Remember the Titans Coach Herman Boone will be the keynote speaker at this year’s Black Issues Conference on February 2.
“We Are America: Divided We Fall. Together We Stand” is the theme of the conference, which will be held from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. in the Carolyn P. Brown University Center. The event is free and open to students, faculty, staff, and members of the community.
Black Issues Conference is held to raise awareness of issues affecting the African-American community, explain how they impact others and brainstorm with students to come up with solutions.
The event will consist of three workshop sessions and a luncheon where Boone will deliver the keynote address. The day will conclude with a 3:00 p.m. reception where Boone will be available for pictures and autographs.
To attend, register online by January 25.
In 1971, Boone was appointed as the head football coach at TC Williams High School in Alexandria, Virginia. His challenge was to unite black and white players in a recently integrated school and mold them into the Titans football team.
Boone and his white assistant coach, Bill Yoast, clashed at first, but were able to put aside their prejudices to whip their team into shape. They compiled a 13-0 record and went on to win the state championship.
Now retired, Boone travels the country talking about respect, teamwork, community involvement and the importance of character. Boone will address the topics of diversity and his own experience of becoming a Titan at this year’s event.
Shawnboda Mead, associate director of Multicultural Student Life, said the planning committee chose the conference slogan, “We Are America: Divided We Fall. Together We Stand,” to make the event more inclusive and welcoming of all members of the campus community.
For more information on the Black Issues Conference, contact the Office of Multicultural Student Life at 865-974-6861.
The Black Issues Conference is made possible through the efforts of the Black Issues Conference Planning Committee, UT Chapter of the NCAAP, Charlie Lemmons Endowment, Black Cultural Programming Committee, Office of Multicultural Student Life, Division of Student Life, UT Bookstore, Office of Equity and Diversity, Commission for Blacks, Student Government Association, and the UT Black Alumni Council.
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C O N T A C T :
Amy Blakely (ablakely@utk.edu, 865-974-5034)