DOVER — More than 400 high school and Delaware State University males filled the MLK Jr. Student Center parlors to attend the Feb. 22 Black Male Initiative Conference.

In addition to the morning breakout sessions, the conference featured author, pastor and Grammy-nominated singing artist Montell Jordan as its keynote speaker.

The Rev. Jordan – who is best know for his music career as a performing artist, songwriter and music producer, and especially for 1995 No.1 hit “This Is How We Do It” – is a born-again Christian and pastor.

In his keynote address, Mr. Jordan told the young men that their gifts, talents and skills do not lead to true success and fulfillment until they are used in the service of their purpose.

“When you recognize that you were created on purpose, with purpose and for purpose, (you realized that) using your gift outside of your purpose will never satisfy you. Once you start using your gift inside of your purpose, those are the things that produce legacy, that produce family, that produce foundation,” Mr. Jordan said.

“And it’s my prayer for you that those are the things that matter to you when it comes to being successful.”

In addition to his address at the conference, Mr. Jordan also later met that afternoon with a gathering of Delaware State University music majors in the William B. DeLauder E&H Theatre where he shared some of his life experiences.

In addition to the males from Delaware State University and local Delaware high schools, there were also groups of young men from high schools in Pennsylvania and Maryland. There were also a group of males that came from North Carolina A&T University.

The attendees were exposed to a variety of workshop sessions on topics such as communication arts, relationship building, monetizing social media, personal brand development, emotional intelligence, financial literacy, and others.

The Black Male Conference was made possible by funding from The Executive Leadership Council, WSFS Bank, and Travelers Insurance. The event was organized by the University College of Business and its Office of Student Engagement.