The fifth-annual Men of Change (MOC) conference will take place from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Friday, May 20, 2022, at the Van G. Miller Adult Learning Center, 120 Jefferson St. in Waterloo. The conference is sponsored by the Educational Talent Search (ETS) program at the University of Northern Iowa Center for Urban Education (UNI-CUE), Hawkeye Community College, CUNA Mutual and I Believe Leadership & Sports Academy.

The MOC conference will host 65 minority young men in grades 6-12 from the Waterloo Community School District’s middle and high schools. This year’s theme is men of color in the workplace, and it will give attendees the opportunity to engage with minority community leaders on future career opportunities. The goal of the MOC conference is to encourage students to step up and make a change in their own lives and within their communities.

“I really enjoy putting the Men of Change conference together each year for these young men to engage in positive communication with other men that look like them about topics and issues that are prevalent in the minority community,” said Carlos Frazier, senior counselor for Educational Talent Search. “ I think it is important to put these young men in front of positive male role models early in their lives and as often as possible. Giving these young men the opportunity to talk about topics like mental health, employment, college life and self-care is important because they may not otherwise have the opportunity to discuss them with a parent or friend.  We are trying to create lifetime relationships with these young men and the men in our community.”

This year’s guest speakers will include Executive Vice President & Provost at UNI José Herrera and Waterloo Mayor Quentin Hart.  In addition, there will be several breakout sessions led by men who work in banking, restaurant management, law enforcement, investing and other industries. Minority male student-athletes from the University of Northern Iowa (UNI) will also be sharing their struggles, challenges and success stories of being at a predominately white institution.

Contact:

Carlos F. Frazier, Senior Counselor, Educational Talent Search, 319-273-4772

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About ETS: Educational Talent Search is a TRIO Program, which are programs funded by the U.S. Department of Education and geared toward providing educational opportunities. Waterloo’s ETS, which serves 1200 local students, has been active since 1985, making it one of the longest-running TRIO programs in the country. 

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About UNI-CUE: Since its inception over 60 years ago, UNI-CUE’s mission has been to provide a positive environment for lifetime learning where individuals may pursue and continue their educational goals and prepare for careers.