Blazers, bowties, dress shoes and suits were donned by members of the University of Memphis Empowered Men of Color organization. However, their outward appearance is not what defines them. It is their philosophies and commitment to brotherhood.
The Empowered Men of Color seeks to promote greater awareness and understanding on campus through brotherhood by becoming role models, conducting educational seminars, activities and community involvement.
“E.M.O.C.’s main concern is with the intellectual, social and cultural issues regarding minority male retention rates at The University of Memphis,” senior Johnathan Moffett said. “It is the organization’s goal to increase the retention and graduation rates of minority males at the University of Memphis and to educate males on the importance of manhood.”
According to the U.S. Department of Education, the national college graduation rate for black men is 33.1 percent. Black men represent 7.9 percent of 18-to-24-year-olds in the United States but only 2.8 percent of undergraduates at public flagship universities.
“There are a large amount of male students that drop out,” E.M.O.C. President Fredrick Jones said. “Our goal is to keep those guys focused, to keep those guys toward graduation. We do one-on-one tutoring sessions and have an accountability system. Let’s say you are a freshman business major. Well, we have this brother who is a junior business major. He will help contribute to your years through college, tell you what classes to take and who the best teachers are. That is just some of the things we do to try and encourage graduation.”
E.M.O.C. held their first meeting Sept. 1, beginning with an Empowerment walk from the McWherter Library to the official meeting location at the University Center Ballroom.
“The Empowerment walk includes men gathered around together from different backgrounds, creeds and color, Jones said. “We are gathered together in one common goal: We are all men. The walk is based on honor, respect and power. We understand that there is a lot of negativity going on in Memphis. Today is to let Memphis know, ‘Hey, not everyone is out robbing banks. Not everyone is out murdering.’ You have some men who are still alive today who are about business and success.”
Men’s Conference and Special Events Chair Malcolm Dorsey joined E.M.O.C because it mirrored his own personal beliefs.
“It is important to surround yourself around other emerging leaders and it is a bonus that they look like me,” Dorsey said. “We share a shared story because we can relate to one another. We are here to help uplift and have fun.”
E.M.O.C. has given Dorsey skills he will be able to take out into the world after graduation.
“[I’ve learned] how to work with others,” Dorsey said. “I am the type of person that if I have something in my head then that is how I see it. I have learned to be flexible, understanding and a more effective communicator. You always want to uplift the next person. I have learned that there is opportunity for growth.”
Although the main focus is on African-American men, men of any race are welcome to join E.M.O.C.
“Many think it is another African-American based group but it is not,” Public Relations Chair Jaylon Wallace said. “There are some caucasian male students in the organization. You network with more empowered men while empowering yourself and everyone around you. There is no point to exclude because you have to deal with everybody throughout your whole life."
E.M.O.C. President Fredrick Jones leads his members on their empowerment walk from the McWherter Library to the University Center.
