Register for UToledo Conference for Aspiring Minority Youth Jan. 28

November 10, 2022 | Events, News, UToday, Alumni, Law
By Kirk Baird



Ruth E. Carter, an Academy Award-winning costume designer for the Marvel Studios blockbuster “Black Panther” who also designed costumes for the movie’s just-released sequel, “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever,” will speak at UToledo’s 39th annual Conference for Aspiring Minority Youth.

Diana Patton, an attorney, author, motivational speaker and alumna of The University of Toledo, also will speak at the event.

Carter

The event, sponsored by Toledo Excel, a longtime scholarship incentive program at UToledo, and Owens Corning, is 8:30 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 28, in Thompson Student Union Auditorium.

Advance registration is required for the free, public conference for seventh- and eighth-graders, high school students and parents. For more information and to register, visit the Conference for Aspiring Minority Youth webpage.

In a career that spans five decades, Carter has been costume designer for most of filmmaker Spike Lee’s works, for Steven Spielberg’s historical drama “Amistad” and for Eddie Murphy’s two recent comedies, “Dolemite Is My Name” and “Coming 2 America,” among dozens of other films and TV series.

“We are ecstatic to have Ruth E. Carter with us this year,” said David Young, director of Toledo Excel and special projects. “She is an Academy Award winner and an icon in the film industry. Beyond that, her costume design for ‘Black Panther’ and now for ‘Wakanda Forever’ has made a worldwide impact and is incredibly and indelibly significant for the culture.

“Bringing her to Toledo to share her heart with our young people is like a dream come true.”

Patton, who received her bachelor’s degree and juris doctor from The University of Toledo, is the author of “Inspiration in My Shoes,” which shares her experiences as a biracial young girl who overcomes abuse, racism and heartache as a message of hope to others.

Patton

“Diana Patton is a greatly accomplished and successful person, but when that is coupled with her amazing story of overcoming against all odds it makes her an even greater inspiration,” Young said. “She is also a two-time alum of The University of Toledo, which makes her an especially wonderful role model for Toledo Excel and all students.”

Rhonda Sewell from the Toledo Museum of Art will moderate the conversation with Carter. There also will be questions from students.

Established in 1988, Toledo Excel helps underrepresented students, including African, Asian, Hispanic and Native Americans, achieve success in college. Through summer institutes, academic enhancement activities and guidance through the admission process, students increase their self-esteem, cultural awareness and civic involvement.

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