Men of Color Initiatives

Men of Color Conference

 

7th Annual Men of Color Conference

Friday, May 9, 2025
8 a.m. - 2:30 p.m.
SMC 
Main Campus
1900 Pico Blvd., Santa Monica, CA 90405


Conference Theme - Elevating Diverse Masculinities

Join us to elevate diverse masculinities and build bridges across communities to promote understanding, equity, and transformative change.

You'll find a day filled with empowering discussions, networking opportunities, and inspiring speakers. This in-person event is designed to unite men of color from all walks of life to share experiences, learn from each other, and take action toward positive change. Let's elevate men of color in higher education.

Don't miss out on this unique opportunity to connect with like-minded individuals and be a part of a supportive community dedicated to making a difference. Mark your calendars and get ready for a day of growth and empowerment!


Keynote Speaker - Dr. Monte E. Pérez

We are honored to have Dr. Monte E. Pérez as our 2025 Men of Color Conference Keynote Speaker. Dr. Pérez currently serves as the Interim President of East Los Angeles College, continuing his decades-long commitment to equity and excellence in education. A proud graduate of Garfield High School in East LA, Dr. Pérez has held numerous leadership roles throughout California’s higher education system, including presidencies at Los Angeles Mission College, Moreno Valley College, and Fullerton College. His career began at Stanford University and expanded to include work with the U.S. Department of Education, the National Hispanic University, and multiple California community colleges. As a founding member of the Council for Opportunity in Education, he has championed programs that support low-income, first-generation students nationwide. Even after retiring in 2021, Dr. Pérez remains a national thought leader, consultant, and advocate for educational opportunity, serving on influential boards such as the Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities and the Greater Los Angeles Education Foundation.


Conference Agenda

TIME ACTIVITY LOCATION

8 - 8:45 a.m.

Check-In/Refreshments/Networking

John Adams Auditorium Courtyard

9 - 10:15 a.m.

Welcome Addresses + Opening Keynote

John Adams Auditorium

10:30 a.m. - 12:45 p.m.

Student Workshops + Professional Workshops

Various Locations (See below)

12:30 - 2:15 p.m

Student Headshots - SMC Photography Department

Core Performance Center Courtyard

1 - 2 p.m.

Networking Lunch + Resource Fair

Core Performance Center Courtyard

2:15 - 3 p.m.

Closing Ceremony + Scholarship Announcements

Core Performance Center Courtyard

 

Full Workshop Listings

Explore our full list of workshops and descriptions below.

Event Details

Frequently Asked Questions

The Men of Color Leadership Conference organizers are a group of men of color (faculty/staff/administrators) from Santa Monica College, El Camino College, Long Beach City College, LA Harbor College, Compton College and many other community colleges. The goal of the event is to ignite a collaborative spirit between students who are men of color from various college campuses and leaders who have access to social capital that have the ability to support them.  Through the conference, students are exposed to various types of resources to support their academic, personal, and professional success. 

In 2018 Santa Monica College hosted the first men of color conference for community college students and staff that was free of charge to all attendees.  This is an important note because a lack of financial resources can be a deterrent for students of color seeking professional development opportunities.  The keynotes, presenters, and organizers were all volunteers.  The following years the conference was hosted by El Camino College (2019) and Compton College (2020).