For the first time in two years, Project MALES hosted its big in-person Texas Male Student Leadership Summit on the UT Austin campus, bringing students, administrators, educators and researchers from schools across the state for two days of learning, networking and building community.Featured below are a few photo highlights from the big two-day event, held on Aug. 11 and 12. Find more photos in our Flickr album.
Day One
Project MALES leaders and guest speakers kicked off the event with inspiring lessons in leadership and personal empowerment. Featured speakers included Richard Reddick, senior vice provost for curriculum and enrollment and dean of undergraduate studies; Victor Saenz, Project MALES co-founder and chair of the Department of Educational Leadership; Luis Ponjuan, co-founder of Project MALES; and Patrick Valdez, former chancellor and professor of education at the University of New Mexico-Taos.
César Cruz of Homies Empowerment delivered an inspiring and passionate keynote speech, sharing his own personal challenges and triumphs navigating school and life as a son of immigrants.
Throughout the day, students participated in workshops that revolved around themes of brotherhood, leadership, college and career readiness, health and wellness and identity.
The day concluded with a reception and an open mic performance by SaulPaul, a “Musician with a Message.”
Day Two
The second day of the summit began with motivating speeches by several leaders in higher education and K-12 systems, including LaToya Smith, vice president of diversity and community engagement; Anthony Mays, interim superintendent of Austin ISD; and Manuel “Manny” Gonzalez, regional director of South WGU Texas. The morning session also included a panel of student leaders from across the state.
Throughout the summit, participants attended workshops, speaker events and panel sessions that revolved around the themes of leadership, college and career readiness, identity, brotherhood, and health and wellness.
Student leaders from partner institutions shared their stories at a panel moderated by Emmet Campos, director of Project MALES and the Texas Education Consortium for Male Students of Color. Pictured here is Axel Jovany Alvarado Mata, president of Men’s Empowerment Network at San Antonio College.
After a full day of workshops, participants attended a college and career fair.
The summit concluded with reflections and testimonials led by Luis Ponjuan. Throughout the summit, students put pen to paper, jotting down their goals, lessons learned and takeaways to carry with them throughout their academic careers.
The goal of the summit is to create a space for students and their allies from across the state to strategize on how to better serve male students of color across Texas high schools, community colleges and four-year institutions. The summit also aims to provide student leaders access to a robust network of academic and professional leaders and role models. Visit the Project MALES website to learn more. Follow the online conversation: #TXMaleSummit.
