'Challenges and Opportunities' focus of African-American conference

The Messenger 03.20.08

“Challenges and Opportunities” is the theme of the 10th annual African-American Leadership Conference, slated for 8:30 a.m.-2 p.m. April 15 at the West Tennessee Center for Agricultural Research in Jackson.
The conference is sponsored by WestStar Leadership, Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development, AT&T, City of Brownsville, City of Covington, USDA Rural Development, West Tennessee Healthcare, Hardin County Government, First South Bank, TLM Associates Inc., Oldham Center for Economic Education and Entrepreneurship Studies and the Regional Entrepreneurship and Economic Development (REED) Center at the University of Tennessee at Martin.
This year’s keynote speaker is Rodricus Kirby, owner of Small Business Learning Series in Memphis.
Kirby has been in the forefront of entrepreneurship for several years. He has owned three small businesses — a gaming tournament company, a digital entertainment company and a multimedia design firm. He trains retail store managers, their management teams and associates about technology products, customer service and sales techniques. His client list includes Wal-Mart, Best Buy, Office Depot and Office Max.
He also has conducted training seminars for Lowe’s stores across the Midsouth. In late 2006, he developed plans to help aspiring entrepreneurs achieve small business success and the Small Business Learning Series was founded to show entrepreneurs how to invest in themselves.
Registration and a continental breakfast is slated from 8:30-9 a.m. UT Martin Chancellor Tom Rakes and David Belote, UT Martin WestStar executive director, will speak from 9-9:15 a.m., followed by Kirby from 9:15-10 a.m.
“Opportunities and Challenges for the Upcoming Leaders” is the topic of a 10-10:45 a.m. student panel, moderated by Mary Jones, with panelists Eboni Eaton, Covington High School; Jamie Bond, Technology Center at Covington; Deltra Fowlkes and Stephen Thomas, Dyersburg State Community College; and Erin Chambers, UT Martin.
“Integrity and Responsibility” is the topic of My Harrison, special agent in charge with the Federal Bureau of Investigation in Memphis, from 11-11:30 a.m. “Networking: The Acquaintance Game” will be presented by Sharon Taylor McKinney, Business Enterprise Resource Office, Tennessee Department of ECD, Memphis; and Shirley Burford, regional director, AT&T, Memphis, from 11:45-noon, followed by lunch from noon-1 p.m. “Healthy Fit” is the last session of the day with Linda Street, consultant, Tahitian Noni International, Memphis, from 1:15-1:45 p.m.
E-mail registrations to vgrimes@utm.edu. The registration deadline is April 9. The conference fee is $35 per person or $60 for two. The fee includes breakfast and lunch.
For more information or a registration form, contact Virginia Grimes at (731) 881-7298 or vgrimes@utm.edu.

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