Conference

2007 Post Conference Gallery

Dr. Claudia Phillips Joplin: Black Ph.d/Ed.D Conference Banquet Speaker:
Florida Memorial University Miami, Florida
June 9, 2007
Title: "Using Your Terminal Degree: Investing Time,
Talent and Tolerance to Help the Younger Generation of Color"!

Dr. Joplin is an educator, author, motivational speaker, and grant
writer/researcher. Dr. Joplin has seven plus years teaching in higher education
and twenty years teaching in the public schools. Her employment journey
includes teaching in the states and in Europe. Dr. Joplin's administrative
appointments include public school and state level. Presently, she works
parttime for the University of Phoenix Dissertation Committee(s) and as a
private consultant. Speaker's Address Correspondence: charlesjoplin@aol.com
No part of this speech may be used or reproduced in any manner without prior
written permission from Black Ph. D/ Ed. D Magazine CEO/Editor
Vehna Hepburn. Ed. D: P.O. Box 420682, Miami, Florida Website:
www.blackphdedd.com Exceptions for use: Brief statements by the author may
be used for articles and review journals.

Probably, no single problem resulting from conflict, mistrust, and struggle has
received so much attention than education. American is flirting with what
impedes or promotes a system that can provide acquisition of knowledge to
minority students. The insight to this answer lies within the political and
economical ploy; and, the "mental bondage" that many of us embrace.
Presently, there is an education purgatory with the underpinnings of race.
There is no reason for an achievement gap; but, rather there is a "silent gap"
of acceptance to what we hear and see.

I believe that I when Martin spoke about being at the mountain top and seeing what eyes have not seen, nor hearing what ears have not heard, that he was speaking about the untapped potential of the "Young and the Restless"; our little brother and sisters of color. I think he meant that we with our terminal degrees; and we that proudly wearing our scholarship bars; and those of us at the height of our "game" that we are the gatekeepers to some young person's dream.

W. E. B. Dubois (1903), in his writing of the "Talented Tenth" recommended that we as people of color support are own enterprises. I believe that he meant that we should be about the business of teaching and helping each other and not sit waiting for another. To be silent and doing nothing is to dismantle the efforts of yesterday and erase any hope of somebody's tomorrow!

I believe that when Dr. Comet West (1993) spoke about us having conferences and intellectual forms that he meant that we are to put our minds and skillful hands together so that the young person of color will stop watching "As the World Turns", but, rather be a participant in making their "World take Successful Font". We are the gatekeeper to somebody's dreams.

I believe that Harriet Tubtnan understood the art of communication. She knew it was a vital tool to get us to "freedom hall". She acquired the art of listening and speaking in a language that could be embraced by all. The dialect she used was put to sweet music accompanied with nurturing voices of encouragement, sprinkled with compassion to allow the escape of the multitudes. I believe that the terminal degree is a voice with the capability to bring productive motion to some young person's life.

According to Du Boisian Theory, we are among the college-educated elite. Our training, and more so, our occupations place us in positions that carry "Influential Power". We are the gatekeepers! I suggest that we with our terminal degrees invest in the young person of color; for, the residue at the end of our working day will reflect in who will lead the tomorrows. The remnants of our efforts little or big is a rail to a young brother or sister's dream of "Dancing with the Stars" or Becoming a Star!

"General Hospital" needs some strong young person of color to discover why a blood clot can lead to a heart attack or a stroke. Some sociologist is needed to recapture the lost neighborhood and abolish the "hood". Some young person of color is needed to address the economical situation and give intellectual pushes to young Bush.

For example. Section 8 housing places our folks on a dependent handout platform with a shallow bottom and the levee is about to give. Travis Smiley boldly (2007) asks, "Why is the plight of people of color still insight"? Phiffer (1999) speaks about time in his text "Managing Power". He boldly articulates that "time" is everything? I say to all of you that the time for talk has ended and we must be about positive service with proven action.

Andrew Billingsley (1992) wrote in his bestseller "Climbing Jacobs Ladder" that the must powerful tool for communication in the minority community is the church house. Assuming that is true, then, what are the Sunday worshippers with terminal degrees doing on Monday morning? Are they helping some young person of color to make it down the tough highway of their life?

To those that Preach the "Good Book" do you communicate the ideology that we are our "Brother's Keeper" and do you offer some suggestions for the renewing and revitalization of a lost young person's soul. Sometimes having no hope is worst than the aftermath of dropping from a disappointment high!

I believe that with our terminal degrees we are gatekeepers of somebody's dreams. Often we must give without asking anything in return; for, it often brings an inner peace to some tired frustrated young soul. The "Wheel of Fortune" is determined by our spin of service and not the book of odds. Should we decide this day to grow entrepreneur of academia, then a new way of rethinking the way we do business needs to occur. The ability to reason is not just for a season. It must be taught-communication is one key. We are the gatekeepers to somebody's dream.

Right now, as I speak, education now employs many international professors to teach math and science to our children of color. There are many of our HBCU's, as well as, majority institutions who are guilty. Such an example, in the school year 2004-2005 more than 30% of the freshman class at UTM failed math. Why? The students did not understand what many of the professors were saying. Can you imagine trying to learn a theorem and not being able to cipher the words? I agree with Gleibermann (2007). It is no wonder that many of our young generation of color are on "an intellectually anemic diet". There is something wrong with that picture. So, what are we-the gatekeepers going to do?

Gwendolyn Brooks, the late poet, stated it quite eloquently about legacy:"We have grown up in your magic, shadows and words... But what if you are not there to catch my arm and lead my way"?

I might not recover from my stumble, as I try to make a way!I believe that my terminal degree with your terminal can make much needed changes to pave a lot of ways. Some of us sit on selection committees and we have a say as to who shall be employed. We are gatekeepers with voices that can promote change.

Presently, the Association of American Medical Colleges report that minority medical school faculty promotion rates continue to lag behind those of their white faculty. There is a paramount question I need to ask. Why are we, who are privileged to sit at the decision table, still sifting and what are we going to do? I say be a "Champion for Somebody" -a person of color needs you!

We need to be about the business of E & E- Economics and Education. It throttles politics and politics influence policies. Policies are the rules and regulations that govern us; that govern our children; and will govern our grandchildren. Don't just except and leave it to "Law and Order" or "Practice and the Law" to do it all. Let us use our terminal degree to leave a legacy of moral justice and pedagogical thought, accompanied with a strategic plan, behind.

Are you aware that the Educational Testing Service in, Princeton, New Jersey, predicted by the year 2015 that 80% of new students in college would be Hispanic, and Asian; with a modest increase from the Black population. Gatekeepers what are you going to do?

John McWhorter (2001) in his text "Losing the Race" articulated that we perpetuate selfsabotage in Black American. Malvern (1987) posits that some minorities have delusions of grandeur and like to expound that they are the first or the only minority. Such an example is Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas that took the stance against Affirmative Action. Did you know that he was a "nobody" until he was let through the door of opportunity because of "AAA" (Affirmative Action with an Attitude)? Now he wants the ladder
that he climbed up to be pulled up.

To Clarence Thomas, I say the evidence is in and you have been found guilty of sabotage for opportunities to your own race! The verdict was tallied by the numbers of children of color that were not able to get into an institution of higher education. Gatekeepers what are you going to do-what are we going to do?

I believe that our terminal degrees should always have the private underpinnings of raceconsciousness. Remember the store of the "tortoise and the hare". It does not matter when we get there, just one firm step at a time. Every time the opportunity arises to bring a competent person of color in, we need to remember that we are a "Testimony" because someone took the time to bring us in!

Gatekeepers that is who we are, we need to tell our young ladies that true beauty isn't found in the beauty salon, but in the temple of their hard working soul to achieve. We need to tell our young men that a BMW isn't a car but a Black Man Working, with a God driven purpose!

As I go to my seat and take off my "symbolic" scholarship robe, I have one final thing to say; be a doer as a gatekeeper and use your terminal degree to ensure Social Justice, Pursuit of Liberty and Equality through economic opportunity!

Partner with some brother or sister and let the ladder down for the children of color. My time and your time is running out, so what are we going to do? We need a legacy to leave to somebody's child of color that will equate into survival for their "Productive Positive Tomorrow"!

Email:blackdoctorates33142@yahoo.com












Dr. Claudia Phillips Joplin		2007 Post Conference Gallery Dr. Claudia Phillips Joplin: Black Ph.d/Ed.D Conference Banquet Speaker: Florida Memorial University Miami, Florida June 9, 2007 Title: "Using Your Terminal Degree: Investing Time, Talent and Tolerance to Help the Younger Generation of Color"! Dr. Joplin is an educator, author, motivational speaker, and grant writer/researcher. Dr. Joplin has seven plus years teaching in higher education and twenty years teaching in the public schools. Her employment journey includes teaching in the states and in Europe. Dr. Joplin's administrative appointments include public school and state level. Presently, she works parttime for the University of Phoenix Dissertation Committee(s) and as a private consultant. Speaker's Address Correspondence: charlesjoplin@aol.com No part of this speech may be used or reproduced in any manner without prior written permission from Black Ph. D/ Ed. D Magazine CEO/Editor Vehna Hepburn. Ed. D: P.O. Box 420682, Miami, Florida Website: www.blackphdedd.com Exceptions for use: Brief statements by the author may be used for articles and review journals. Probably, no single problem resulting from conflict, mistrust, and struggle has received so much attention than education. American is flirting with what impedes or promotes a system that can provide acquisition of knowledge to minority students. The insight to this answer lies within the political and economical ploy; and, the "mental bondage" that many of us embrace. Presently, there is an education purgatory with the underpinnings of race. There is no reason for an achievement gap; but, rather there is a "silent gap" of acceptance to what we hear and see. I believe that I when Martin spoke about being at the mountain top and seeing what eyes have not seen, nor hearing what ears have not heard, that he was speaking about the untapped potential of the "Young and the Restless"; our little brother and sisters of color. I think he meant that we with our terminal degrees; and we that proudly wearing our scholarship bars; and those of us at the height of our "game" that we are the gatekeepers to some young person's dream. W. E. B. Dubois (1903), in his writing of the "Talented Tenth" recommended that we as people of color support are own enterprises. I believe that he meant that we should be about the business of teaching and helping each other and not sit waiting for another. To be silent and doing nothing is to dismantle the efforts of yesterday and erase any hope of somebody's tomorrow! I believe that when Dr. Comet West (1993) spoke about us having conferences and intellectual forms that he meant that we are to put our minds and skillful hands together so that the young person of color will stop watching "As the World Turns", but, rather be a participant in making their "World take Successful Font". We are the gatekeeper to somebody's dreams. I believe that Harriet Tubtnan understood the art of communication. She knew it was a vital tool to get us to "freedom hall". She acquired the art of listening and speaking in a language that could be embraced by all. The dialect she used was put to sweet music accompanied with nurturing voices of encouragement, sprinkled with compassion to allow the escape of the multitudes. I believe that the terminal degree is a voice with the capability to bring productive motion to some young person's life. According to Du Boisian Theory, we are among the college-educated elite. Our training, and more so, our occupations place us in positions that carry "Influential Power". We are the gatekeepers! I suggest that we with our terminal degrees invest in the young person of color; for, the residue at the end of our working day will reflect in who will lead the tomorrows. The remnants of our efforts little or big is a rail to a young brother or sister's dream of "Dancing with the Stars" or Becoming a Star! "General Hospital" needs some strong young person of color to discover why a blood clot can lead to a heart attack or a stroke. Some sociologist is needed to recapture the lost neighborhood and abolish the "hood". Some young person of color is needed to address the economical situation and give intellectual pushes to young Bush. For example. Section 8 housing places our folks on a dependent handout platform with a shallow bottom and the levee is about to give. Travis Smiley boldly (2007) asks, "Why is the plight of people of color still insight"? Phiffer (1999) speaks about time in his text "Managing Power". He boldly articulates that "time" is everything? I say to all of you that the time for talk has ended and we must be about positive service with proven action. Andrew Billingsley (1992) wrote in his bestseller "Climbing Jacobs Ladder" that the must powerful tool for communication in the minority community is the church house. Assuming that is true, then, what are the Sunday worshippers with terminal degrees doing on Monday morning? Are they helping some young person of color to make it down the tough highway of their life? To those that Preach the "Good Book" do you communicate the ideology that we are our "Brother's Keeper" and do you offer some suggestions for the renewing and revitalization of a lost young person's soul. Sometimes having no hope is worst than the aftermath of dropping from a disappointment high! I believe that with our terminal degrees we are gatekeepers of somebody's dreams. Often we must give without asking anything in return; for, it often brings an inner peace to some tired frustrated young soul. The "Wheel of Fortune" is determined by our spin of service and not the book of odds. Should we decide this day to grow entrepreneur of academia, then a new way of rethinking the way we do business needs to occur. The ability to reason is not just for a season. It must be taught-communication is one key. We are the gatekeepers to somebody's dream. Right now, as I speak, education now employs many international professors to teach math and science to our children of color. There are many of our HBCU's, as well as, majority institutions who are guilty. Such an example, in the school year 2004-2005 more than 30% of the freshman class at UTM failed math. Why? The students did not understand what many of the professors were saying. Can you imagine trying to learn a theorem and not being able to cipher the words? I agree with Gleibermann (2007). It is no wonder that many of our young generation of color are on "an intellectually anemic diet". There is something wrong with that picture. So, what are we-the gatekeepers going to do? Gwendolyn Brooks, the late poet, stated it quite eloquently about legacy:"We have grown up in your magic, shadows and words... But what if you are not there to catch my arm and lead my way"? I might not recover from my stumble, as I try to make a way!I believe that my terminal degree with your terminal can make much needed changes to pave a lot of ways. Some of us sit on selection committees and we have a say as to who shall be employed. We are gatekeepers with voices that can promote change. Presently, the Association of American Medical Colleges report that minority medical school faculty promotion rates continue to lag behind those of their white faculty. There is a paramount question I need to ask. Why are we, who are privileged to sit at the decision table, still sifting and what are we going to do? I say be a "Champion for Somebody" -a person of color needs you! We need to be about the business of E & E- Economics and Education. It throttles politics and politics influence policies. Policies are the rules and regulations that govern us; that govern our children; and will govern our grandchildren. Don't just except and leave it to "Law and Order" or "Practice and the Law" to do it all. Let us use our terminal degree to leave a legacy of moral justice and pedagogical thought, accompanied with a strategic plan, behind. Are you aware that the Educational Testing Service in, Princeton, New Jersey, predicted by the year 2015 that 80% of new students in college would be Hispanic, and Asian; with a modest increase from the Black population. Gatekeepers what are you going to do? John McWhorter (2001) in his text "Losing the Race" articulated that we perpetuate selfsabotage in Black American. Malvern (1987) posits that some minorities have delusions of grandeur and like to expound that they are the first or the only minority. Such an example is Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas that took the stance against Affirmative Action. Did you know that he was a "nobody" until he was let through the door of opportunity because of "AAA" (Affirmative Action with an Attitude)? Now he wants the ladder that he climbed up to be pulled up. To Clarence Thomas, I say the evidence is in and you have been found guilty of sabotage for opportunities to your own race! The verdict was tallied by the numbers of children of color that were not able to get into an institution of higher education. Gatekeepers what are you going to do-what are we going to do? I believe that our terminal degrees should always have the private underpinnings of raceconsciousness. Remember the store of the "tortoise and the hare". It does not matter when we get there, just one firm step at a time. Every time the opportunity arises to bring a competent person of color in, we need to remember that we are a "Testimony" because someone took the time to bring us in! Gatekeepers that is who we are, we need to tell our young ladies that true beauty isn't found in the beauty salon, but in the temple of their hard working soul to achieve. We need to tell our young men that a BMW isn't a car but a Black Man Working, with a God driven purpose! As I go to my seat and take off my "symbolic" scholarship robe, I have one final thing to say; be a doer as a gatekeeper and use your terminal degree to ensure Social Justice, Pursuit of Liberty and Equality through economic opportunity! Partner with some brother or sister and let the ladder down for the children of color. My time and your time is running out, so what are we going to do? We need a legacy to leave to somebody's child of color that will equate into survival for their "Productive Positive Tomorrow"! Email:blackdoctorates33142@yahoo.com

2007 National Symposium on Black Doctorates Sponsors The Solution is US
Roscoe Williams, Ph.D. Augusta, GA Susie Blocker Stewart Robinson, Ed.D. Miami, FL Edward Robinson, Ed.D. Miami, FL Lorranie Bethel, A.A. Miami, FL Henry Range, Ph.D. Miami, FL	Laura Banks Reed, Ed.D. Tucson, AZ Clarence Jones, Jr. Ed.D. Miami, FL Carolyn C.W. Hines, Ed.D. White Stone, VA Huston Usry, Jr., Ed.D. Miami, FL Norma Stiles, Ph.D. Miami, FL

William Kritsonsis, Ph.D. Prairie View, TX
Angela Bellamy Miami, FL	Juanita de la Cruz, Ed.D. Miami, FL
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