Utica, NY (WIBX) - Mohawk Valley Community College, with the help of The Office of Civic Responsibility, is offering a free one-night retreat for African American and Latino men.

 Starting Thursday evening at five, those attending “Renew and Rebuild: A Retreat for Men of Color” have the opportunity to take part in an open discussion panel.

 Speakers include Leonard Martin from the Rome NAACP, MVCC trustee Anthony Colon and others in the community working in support of the cause.

 Morris Pearson, the Director of Civic Responsibility at MVCC, says that the retreat will shed light not only on local but national issues facing young men.

 “There are so many issues that are plaguing young men of color, and society has to stand up and take account and be able to support these young men and be able to emphasize the need of education the emphasis of family and overcoming the obstacle and the variables that they’re dealing with each and every day,” Pearson said.

 The public event is free to attend and will be held in room 116 of the Alumni College Center.

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