World-renowned pediatric neurosurgeon and New York Times bestselling author Dr. Benjamin S. Carson, Sr., will be the keynote speaker at the University of the Virgin Islands’ third-annual “Man-Up” Male Empowerment Conference. The conference is scheduled for Feb. 4, at UVI’s Sports and Fitness Center on St. Thomas, and Feb. 5, on the Albert A. Sheen Campus on St. Croix. This year’s theme is: “Man-Up: Discovering Your Gifts and Talents.”
The “Man-Up” Conference was started in 2011 in response to rising cases of violence in the Virgin Islands and the low enrollment rate of young men in higher education. It is an initiative of “Brothers with a Cause,” a University of the Virgin Islands program that seeks to attract more male students to the University and provide tools and support to help them graduate.
Reggae artist Pressure, born Delyno Brown, became internationally recognized with his debut solo album “The Pressure Is On” in 2005, and Caribbean chart topping hit “Love and Affection”. His newest album, “Africa Redemption” will be released in February 2013. Pressure’s music have transcended the Reggae industry, with it’s smooth sound and positive lyrics.
The conference will also feature performances by local and international recording artists, Iyaz, and Wally Kyat . Iyaz, born Keidran Jones, recorded his first studio single, “My Life” in 2010. His song “Replay” peaked at number two on Billboard Hot 200 and in the United Kingdom it ruled the country’s singles chart.
This year’s keynote speaker Dr. Carson, is the embodiment of the ‘Man-Up’ Conference’s theme, ‘Man-Up: Discovering Your Gifts and Talents. Dr. Carson was presented the opportunity to turn his life around, and now is a gifted surgeon able to help and heal people. Dr. Carson is a full professor of neurosurgery, oncology, plastic surgery and pediatrics at the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, where he has directed pediatric neurosurgery at the Johns Hopkins Children’s Center for more than 25 years. Also chosen to speak at the conference are professor, author and director M.K. Asante, Jr. and Mothers Against Guns (MAG) Executive Director Celia Carroll.
The author of four celebrated books, Asante, is a recipient of the Langston Hughes Award. His latest book, “It’s Bigger Than Hip Hop,” was hailed by the Los Angeles Times as “An empowering book that moves you to action and to question status quo America. In 2000, Celia Carroll started the St. Thomas V.I. chapter of Mothers Against Guns, in 2000,after her son Jason Carroll was gunned down in a daytime shooting.
This conference will give young men in the community the opportunity to interact with a world-renowned professionals, whom have proven themselves as positive role models. The conference will also feature a student talent segment. Other entertainment includes the Ivanna Eudora Kean, Charlotte Amalie, Central, and Educational Complex High Schools marching bands.
More information is available from the Male Initiative home page at http://www.uvi.edu/sites/uvi/Pages/President-male_initiative.aspx?s=CS or by calling the Office of the President. The conference is sponsored by the University of the Virgin Islands, the Virgin Islands Department of Education and the Virgin Islands Department of Human Services.
