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What is the Minority Male Initiative?

The Minority Male Initiative, which is a partnership between Brookdale and the Monmouth/Ocean Panhellenic Council, started in 2015. Is an annual conference. The goal of the initiative is to educate and expose high school juniors and seniors, as well as current Brookdale students, to different career opportunities that may be of interest to them. In doing so, students are made aware of the tangible rewards for making a commitment to continue their education. The initiative continues to develop relationships with businesses and companies that offer internships and opportunities for students of color in particular, giving them hands-on experience and professional knowledge of their chosen career field of interest.

 

2025 Conference

WHEN:    February 28, 2025
TIME:       8:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
A Continental Breakfast and Brunch will be provided.

THEME: Pathways to Power: Education, Leadership, and Community

GUEST SPEAKER: Lamont O. Repollet, Ed.D.

FOR: Minority male students at Brookdale Community College and Monmouth County High School juniors and seniors.

REGISTER: To register for the conference or to learn more about scholarship opportunities contact Lisa Savage at LSavage@brookdalecc.edu.

WHERE: Brookdale Community College Student Life Center
(Lincroft Campus, 765 Newman Springs Road)
                   Upper Level, Navesink Rooms 
                   Parking in lot 6 or 7  MAP

GOALS:

  1. Promote college success
  2. Educate minority male students about career pathways
  3. Connect students to professionals in different professions

CONTACT: Dr. Fidel Wilson by calling 732-224-2558, or email fwilson@brookdalecc.edu.

“One of the most difficult things is not to change society – but to change yourself.”– Nelson Mandela

We plan to accomplish the theme Pathways to Power, by connecting students to professionals that have experience working in careers that fall within one of the five career clusters:

STEM
Science, Technology, Engineering and Math

Mainframe Computing Communications Media
Broadcasting, TV Production, Graphic Design, Journalism and Animation

Health Science
Physical Therapy, Nursing, Physician, Athletic Training, Occupational Therapy and Radiology

Business and Social Science
How to start your own Business, Accounting, Management, Finance, Marketing, Social Work, Education and Criminal Justice

Show Business and Entertainment
Theater/Film/Television, Acting, Play/Screenwriting, Stage, Directing and Film Directing

 

 

Objectives for students that attend the conference:

 

 

Scholarship Opportunities

Students that register for this event can also apply for scholarships that are only available to those students that attend the conference and attend Brookdale. A completed copy of the scholarship application must be submitted at the conference or mailed in prior to the conference in order to be considered.

2025 Scholarship Application

Brookdale scholarships are available for participants in the Minority Male Initiative. Applications can be submitted at the MMI Conference or by the March 31, 2025 deadline.

To register for the conference or to learn more about scholarship opportunities contact Lisa Savage at LSavage@brookdalecc.edu.

 

 

Past Virtual Conference Recordings

First Part of Virtual Conference(pre-keynote)

Second Part of Virtual Conference(post-breakout workshops)

STEM Breakout Workshop (First Energy)

 

“I believe that networking and resources are a necessity to success. Our intention is to provide those opportunities for historically underrepresented groups,” said Dr. Fidel Wilson, MSW, Ed.D, Chairman of this event.

 

Previous MMI Motivational Speakers

Lamont O. Repollet, Ed.D. (2025) – A visionary educator devoted to fostering equity for all students.

Dr. Lamont O. Repollet is Kean University’s first Black president and was the first Black commissioner of education of the State of New Jersey and the first Black principal of Carteret High School.

Since joining Kean University, Repollet has taken bold action to help the University climb higher “from great to elite.” He has vowed to elevate the University to Carnegie R2 research status within five years. During the second year of Repollet’s presidency, Gov. Murphy signed legislation designating Kean University as the state’s first urban research university. Kean joins Rutgers University, New Jersey Institute of Technology, Rowan University and Montclair State University as a state-designated public research university. This designation elevates Kean’s profile across the nation, enhances faculty and student recruitment, increases student Tuition Aid Grant (TAG) awards and boosts competitiveness for research grants. The legislation, which was unanimously approved by both sides of the legislature, recognizes the University’s growing role in conducting research and generating solutions to issues in urban communities statewide.

In his first year as president, Repollet oversaw health and safety measures to curtail the spread of COVID-19, including remote education and vaccine and mask mandates. He established the Division of Student Success and Retention to support students on their path to graduation; the Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion to put equity into action at all levels of the University; and the Equity in Action Presidential Postdoctoral Fellowship to diversify the faculty and boost research at Kean. In an effort to further collaborate with towns, cities, counties and the state and federal governments, Repollet established the Office of Governmental Affairs. He also established the John S. Watson Institute for Urban Policy and Research at Kean, which works with mayors from 32 urban centers across the state to research important issues in their communities and find sustainable solutions. To improve transparency and ensure student voices are heard, Repollet created the President’s Advisory Council and established Student Town Halls each semester.

Repollet has earned honors and recognition from numerous organizations. Recently, he received the 2022 Leadership and Vision Recognition Award from EdgeCon, the 2022 Whitney M. Young Service Award from Urban League of Union County, and the 2022 Whitney M. Young Service Award from Greater New York Councils Boy Scouts of America. He also was honored in 2019 with the Medal of Excellence for Distinguished Service from The College of Education at Rowan University, the 2019 Trailblazer Award from the Innovation for Equity Summit, the 2019 Conclave Image Award from Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc., and as an Outstanding Human Rights Educator by Kean’s Human Rights Institute in 2018.

In addition to his Kean master’s degree, Repollet received his Bachelor of Arts in communication from The College of New Jersey and a Doctorate in Education from Nova Southeastern University.

Male wearing a dark suit and orange tie.Dr. Daniel Jean (2024) Raised in abject poverty, Dr. Jean rose from a 1.9 GPA to become an accomplished author, consultant, motivational speaker, playwright, and poet. Featured in outlets such as LA Times, Black Enterprise, and Ebony Magazine, he is the CEO of Wordstravel LLC, an agency specializing in education, equity initiatives, and professional development. Author of I Am…I Will…, an interactive framework for personal growth, Dr. Jean serves on the Three Doctors Foundation board and has received numerous accolades, including the ACPA Educational Excellence Award and DEI Award from the NJ Chamber of Commerce. His goal is to assist 100,000 graduates and deliver 1,000 seminars before retiring.

Kenneth D. Wilson (2023, 2022, 2019) – Kenneth is best known for his “7 Pillars of Success” presentation that has impacted students and educators so much that studies show a 93% increase in productivity, focus and task completion form those implementing the formula. He not only shows students “HOW” to achieve fulfillment in school and life, but also “WHY” education is a critical component too.

Aaron K. Wilson (2021) – Aaron is a motivational speaker, singer-songwriter, actor, producer, author, and uplifter. He makes it his mission to help students realize the importance of having a positive self image and mindset that will help them overcome their insecurities and embrace their purpose. Aaron has a special way to engage youth with his energy, message, charisma and music.

Dr. Brian Roper (2018) – A Neptune-based physician.

Reginald Anderson (2017) – Regional Director of Information Technology for Comcast-NBC.

Pastor Semaj Y. Vanzant (2016) – Lead pastor-teacher at Second Baptist Church in Asbury Park.

Committee Members

Fidel Wilson – BCC Administrator

Peggy Austin – BCC Administrator

Lisa Savage – BCC Administrator

Lucille Jones – Monmouth Ocean County Panhellenic Council Representative

Ken Morgan – Monmouth Ocean County Panhellenic Council Representative

Gilda Rogers – Executive Director T. Thomas Fortune Cultural Center; Community Relations Manager Two River Theater Co.

Past Events

  

Sponsors

New Jersey Natural Gas

 

First Energy

 

 

 

Two River Theater