Robert Jackson, author of “No More Excuses, Black Men Stand Up!,” and Shaun R. Harper, a national researcher examining black male college access and achievement outcomes, will be among the speakers at the African American Male Initiative Consortium Conference Thursday and Friday, Feb. 25-26, at UALR’s Donaghey Student Center.

The conference, which will include seminars and discussions for students as well as administrators, is hosted by UALR’s Division of Educational and Student Services and its African American Male Initiative. The student development organization provides mentoring and other support aimed at increasing the retention and graduation rates of African American men.

Jackson speaks at 7 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 25, at the DSC’s Diamond Area, and again at 9 a.m. Friday, in DSC Room G. Harper speaks to administrators at 9 a.m. Friday, Feb. 26, in the DSC’s Ledbetter Hall A and B. Harper and Dr. John Kuykendall, UALR assistant professor in educational leadership, will conduct a discussion on standards, benchmarks, strategies, and recommendations at 2:40 p.m. Friday.

Partially funded by a grant from the Winthrop Rockefeller Foundation, the conference is expected to draw participants from 16 higher education institutions in Arkansas.