Black leadership event draws 500 students

Ballard presents keynote address at symposium

State Rep. Barbara W. Ballard, who also is associate director for civic programming and public outreach with the Robert J. Dole Institute of Politics, was the keynote speaker at the 19th annual Black Leadership Symposium Oct. 21 at KU.

Each year the symposium draws more than 500 African-American high-school students and faculty sponsors to KU for workshops and dialogues promoting leadership. In keeping with the Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka 50th anniversary, this year’s theme is “Brown v. Board of Education: Our Past Opening Doors to Our Future.”

Student participation in the symposium is handled through Kansas schools and is based on academic achievement and leadership potential. Students attend workshops about leadership, the importance of a post-secondary education and preparing themselves for college.

Ballard has been associated with KU since 1980, serving as associate vice provost for student success, associate dean and director of the Emily Taylor Women’s Resource Center.

The conference was sponsored by the Office of the Provost, Office of Multicultural Affairs, Office of Admissions and Scholarships, Multicultural Resource Center and KU Continuing Education.