4th Annual Inland Empire Black Parent Summit Brings Families, Educators and Community Together to Support Student Success

“Schools are stronger when educators, families, and the community come together to support students,” says Dr. April Clay, LFMT. “More than ever, we need to stand together, united in our commitment to their success”

SAN BERNARDINO, Calif.— On Saturday, October 17, the 4th Annual Inland Empire Black Parent Summit will be held from 8:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at the Santos Manuel Student Union at Cal State San Bernardino, 5500 University Pkwy. Registration is required.

“Schools are stronger when educators, families and the community come together to support students. More than ever before, we need to stand together and make sure our families have the information, relationships and resources our children need to thrive,” said Dr. April Clay, founder of the Clay Counseling Foundation.

The Summit is a community gathering bringing together a host of nonprofit and community-based organizations, education networks, mental health professionals and education leaders. This year’s focus includes mental health and resilience among Black scholars, helping parents navigate educational systems, increasing awareness of artificial intelligence and its future and connecting families with resources and professionals throughout the region.

The full-day event will feature a regional superintendent panel facilitated by Dr. Judy D. White, Retired Riverside County Superintendent of Schools, along with breakout sessions led by university professors and researchers, K-12 and higher education administrators, mental health professionals and community thought leaders.

Keynote speaker Dr. William A. Smith, Jon M. Huntsman Presidential Chair and Distinguished Professor at the University of Utah, is internationally recognized for developing the framework of Racial Battle Fatigue, which examines the mental, emotional and physical impact of repeated racial stress. Smith will lead families through a deeper conversation about mental health and resilience.

As families also prepare children for a rapidly changing future, Donnell Layne, Moreno Valley College STEM Innovation Director, will address artificial intelligence, helping parents understand how AI is changing education and the workforce and what that means for their children.

Presenters include Dr. Carolyn Murray, Dr. Talisa Sullivan, Dr. Brandon Gamble, Dr. Micki Grayson, Dr. Yvette Latunde, Mark Rogers, Dr. ShaKenya Edison, Tyrese Crawford, Lawrence Hardy, and Damon Alexander.

“The Summit is about access,” Clay said. “We want parents connected to educators, mental health providers, community partners and other parents. Our families should leave knowing where to go, who to call and that they do not have to navigate these systems alone.”

The Summit is supported by Cal State San Bernardino, San Bernardino and Riverside County Office of Education and a host of regional education and community partners.

To RSVP for the event, see https://bit.ly/blackparentsummit

For more information or to register for the Black Parent Summit visit www.blackparentsummit.org

To learn more about Clay Counseling Foundation, visit www.claycounseling.org