Students flock to FAMU summit

The crowd of more than 700 jumped to their feet Sunday as Susan Taylor, keynote speaker for Florida A&M University's State of the Student Summit, was introduced.

Taylor, well known for her work as editor-in-chief of Essence magazine and founder of the National CARES Mentoring Movement, made a plea to the crowd, which included such notables as musician George Clinton, state Rep. Alan Williams and Tallahassee Mayor John Marks.

"The village is on fire and the children are screaming," Taylor said. "This is really a call to the commitment.

"It's a call to every able, stable black person to get involved in a mentoring situation."

 Taylor was one of eight panel members at Gaither Gym sharing opinions on the hottest topics of the day — from the economy to global warming to the recently passed health-care bill during a question/answer period.

"Nobody dies in Italy, Sweden, Switzerland because they don't have health insurance," said four-time presidential candidate Ralph Nader about the recent passing of the health-care bill. "Let's not be too complacent with what happened and instead, use it as a springboard to get a fully humane system."

"I think it is imperative to expose FAMU, FSU and TCC students to a lot of key issues affecting our generation," said FAMU student body president Gallop Franklin, who was also on the panel.

The discussion wasn't just about today's problems. It was about inspiration, as leaders such as 21-year-old entrepreneur Hezekiah Griggs reminded students, "You can be a difference maker."

FAMU student Alexis Cadwell was impressed with the many messages put forth at the student summit.

"As far as being a member of the black community, we have to love ourselves better," she said.

Other panel members included acclaimed Princeton professor and "Race Matters" author Cornel West, leader of the League of Young Voters Robert "Biko" Baker, FAMU alumna and expert in corporate and academic race relations Atira Charles and recently elected Florida State Student Government Association President Dustin Daniels.

State University System of Florida Chancellor Frank T. Brogan was slated to appear but could not make it.