Livingstone College

SALISBURY — Livingstone College President Jimmy R. Jenkins Sr. will serve as a panelist at the 2018 State of Black North Carolina Conference during a session on historically black colleges and universities.

The panel discussion, “HBCUs: Their Mission, Their Value, Their Future,” will be from 8:30 to 10:15 a.m. May 10 at Benton Convention Center in Winston-Salem.

Organizers say HBCUs are under attack from many corners, and the question that used to be whispered is now being shouted: “Do we still need black colleges?”

“This panel of HBCU leaders will discuss the vital roles HBCUs play in the community and the indisputable roles their graduates play in larger society,” said Richard Williams, president and chief executive officer of Black Business Media LLC, the founder and convener of conference.

Jenkins will join Chancellor Elwood Robinson of Winston-Salem State University; President Phyllis Worthy Dawkins of Bennett College; and interim Chancellor Karrie G. Dixon of Elizabeth City State University.

“HBCUs are just as relevant today as they were when first established,” Jenkins said. “In addition to producing skilled, educated leaders, HBCUs have and continue to shape the economic and social landscape of North Carolina and the nation. I’m looking forward to discussing the narrative of Livingstone College.”

The State of Black North Carolina Conference is presented by Black Business Ink Magazine and BBM Strategic Marketing Services. It also marks the 15th anniversary of Black Business Ink.

The conference kicks off May 9 with Black Business Ink’s the 50 Most Influential African-Americans in the Piedmont Triad awards ceremony at 7 p.m. at the Stevens Center in Winston-Salem.

Among the honorees is Nigel D. Alston, executive director of the N.C. Black Repertory Company and a member of the Livingstone College board of trustees.

Entertainment will include national comedian The Real Michael Colyar; Grammy nominee Anthony Hamilton’s The Hamiltones; and Vanessa Ferguson of NBC’s “The Voice.”

The conference runs May 10-11 with the opening session on HBCUs. Other topics will include educating youth; maximizing the black vote (on both sides of the aisle); gerrymandering and other social issues; Alzheimer’s, obesity and opioids; winning at nonprofit fundraising; challenges of women breaking the glass ceiling; and women’s economic empowerment.

The Trailblazers Awards Luncheon will be held at noon May 10 with N.C. Sen. Toby Fitch Jr. as the keynote speaker. Award recipients are Bishop Shelton McCarter, N.C. Rep. Mickey Michaux, Dr. Dwight Mullen and Elaine Riddick.

At noon May 11, a Women’s Empowerment Awards Luncheon will feature Venessa Harrison, president of AT&T North Carolina, as keynote speaker. Award recipients are former N.C. Rep. Angela Bryan, Eunice Dudley, Andrea Harris and Virginia Newell.

All events will be held at Benton Convention Center, 301 W. Fifth St., Winston-Salem, except for the awards ceremony May 9.

To register or for more information, visit www.stateofblacknc.com, email info@stateofblacknc.com or call 888-635-6020.