An important part of our mission as scholars is to direct awareness toward and develop an understanding of issues through provocative research and action. It is essential to remain open to ideas in order to build connections amongst the disciplines. In doing so, we as scholars create a united front in addressing issues and developing solutions that affect us in cultural, political and social arenas. As such, the Minority Mentor Program offers a venue at which scholarly thought, represented across the Claremont University Consortium can be discussed and utilized for universal betterment.  The MMP Transforming Conversations conference seeks to not only celebrate the diversity of ideas but also acknowledge action plans across all disciplines. The conference aims to illuminate our awareness of the following questions:

• What trends are occurring within and outside the academy? 
• To what extent, if any, is our perspective of cultural, political and social issues shifting?
• How and to what degree do these changes affect our awareness of various themes and issues? 

Transforming Conversations is our opportunity to further expound on ideas of how our world is culturally, politically and socially connected.  We seek to be united in our quest for intellectual value and academic innovation. 

We are pleased to announce our keynote speakers: 

Keynote Speaker: Blair Taylor President and CEO Los Angeles Urban League	Lunch Speaker: Diane Evans President and Founder Vietnam Women's Memorial Foundation, D.C.
http://www.laul.org	http://www.vietnamwomensmemorial.org