On Saturday, April 4, Cleveland State University’s Office of Diversity and Multicultural Affairs will present the 13th Annual Urban Community Forum entitled “Yes, We Can! What this Means to the African-American Community,” at the Cole Center for Continuing Education, 3100 Chester Avenue, Cleveland.

The event, which runs from 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., is free and open to the public.

The opening speaker is Johnathan Holifield, President and CEO of the Urban League of Greater Cleveland. Elaine R. Jones, President and Director-Counsel Emeritus of the NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund, Inc. in Washington, D.C. is the keynote speaker. She will be introduced by Stanley Miller, Executive Director of the NAACP Cleveland chapter.

The Legal Defense Fund is the nation's oldest law firm fighting for equal rights and justice for people of color, women and the poor. When Jones took the helm of the Legal Defense Fund in 1993, she became the first woman to head the organization. She brought with her vast experience as a litigator and civil rights activist, as well as a passion for fairness and equality that dates back to her childhood. After a 32-year tenure with the Legal Defense Fund, she stepped down on May 1, 2004.

Jones will join in discussions with two panels consisting of members of the greater Cleveland community. The first panel will discuss “Civic Engagement: Giving Back/Being Involved.” The panelists include Marvelous Baker of the Cleveland Foundation; Kevin Heard of the Call & Post; Marcellus Jones, a Success Tech High School student; Stanley Miller of the NAACP; and Mary Wilson from Young Democrats of Cuyahoga County. The moderator will be Blaine Griffin, Director of the City of Cleveland’s Community Relations Board.

Dr. Clifford Bennett, Chair of Teacher Education at CSU, will be the moderator for the second panel discussion entitled “Educating Our Community.” Panelists include Dr. Sanza Clark, director of the Mali Yetu program at CSU; Bob Ivory from Governor Strickland’s Closing the Achievement Gap Initiative; Christopher Scott, an East Technical High School student; Basheer Jones of WERE Radio-One; and Fatima Wright from the SLC Technology Institute, East Technical High School.

All are invited to hear, share and network with people and groups that are making political, social, and educational change now. Continental breakfast and lunch will be provided. Registration is required by March 31.

For more information and to register, contact the Office of Diversity and Multicultural Affairs at 216.687.9394 or visit www.csuohio.edu/offices/odama.

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