February 18, 2005

WSU Black Alumni Looks to Separate Fact from Fiction on Affirmative Action

Wayne State University's ground-breaking Journalism Institute for Minorities (JIM) has trained talented minority writers for careers in newsrooms across the country. But successful programs like JIM could be dismantled if Michigan voters approve California businessman Ward Connerly's proposed state ballot initiative to eliminate affirmative action in Michigan.

Wayne State University's Organization of Black Alumni (OBA) will present a forum on the heated topic of affirmative action during its first general meeting on Wednesday, Feb. 23, 2005. The discussion will follow a 30-minute networking reception that begins at 5:30 p.m. at Wayne State's Alumni House.

Kim Trent, OBA's President, is on the frontlines of the fight to preserve affirmative action in Michigan and believes Connerly's measure is misleading and can have a devastating impact on higher education in the state.

"Wayne State graduates more African American students than any university in Michigan because it has many innovative programs designed to help minority students succeed," said Trent, a JIM graduate. "These programs will be at risk if Connerly's ballot initiative passes. People need to know the whole truth behind Ward Connelly's proposed ballot initiative."

Marjorie L. Powell, director of the Office of Equal Opportunity at Wayne State University, Llenda Jackson-Leslie, president of the National Women's Political Caucus and Alicia Nails, interim director of Wayne State University's.

Journalism Institute for Minorities, will speak at the forum. The meeting will also feature information about OBA's upcoming events and its new membership drive, "The OBA Challenge."

The general meeting is open to OBA members and Wayne State University graduates who are interested in joining the group. Please RSVP at 313-577-2279.

Wayne State University is a premier institution of higher education offering more than 350 academic programs through 12 schools and colleges to more than 33,000 students in metropolitan Detroit.