KANSAS CITY, KAN. ----- The African American Student Union at Kansas City Kansas Community College is working to promote solidarity and unity with a simple wardrobe change.
TAASU is planning the 100 Black Men in Ties event at 11 a.m. Oct. 30 in Upper Jewell on the KCKCC Main campus. Jeremiah McCluney, admission specialist and TAASU advisor at KCKCC, said the goal is to get 100 Black men, faculty, staff and students to commit to wearing a dress shirt and a tie for the day.
Although the event is called 100 Black Men in Ties, the event is open to the public and classes are encouraged to attend.
“This is our attempt to organize an act of solidarity and unity as a community and to bring positive awareness to our community,” he said. “Lately, Black males have been highlighted in the media for conflicts with law enforcement and for the immense violence against each other within the community. We want to bring some positive media attention.”
In addition, McCluney said TAASU wants to start a dialogue between community leaders, students, law enforcement and others who want to weigh in on how the problems the community has been seeing can be improved.
The panel will include Judge Tim Dupree; Tyrone Garner, acting assistant chief of the Kansas City, Kan. Police Department and columnist/former TAASU President, Victor Trammel.
“This is not officially a part of the college's career readiness week, but we want to help our young men make sure they know how to dress appropriately for corporate America,” McCluney said. “We have reached out to area churches and businesses to collect ties and dress shirts for any man who may not have a tie or dress shirt in his closet. Any excess supplies will be donated to the campus community and Student Resource Center's Clothing bank.”
For more information about 100 Black Men in Ties or about TAASU, contact Jeremiah McCluney at jmccluney@kckcc.edu or by calling 913-288-7602.
