RICHMOND, Va. — Hampton University convenes a “marriage summit” today, bringing together religious leaders, psychologists, public health workers and other experts to discuss the state of marriage and talk about how to reverse trends such as high divorce rates and out-of-wedlock births.
“We’ll discuss the current crisis of marriage and parenting and focus on solutions and how we can come together to start moving things in a better, more positive direction for families,” said event coordinator Dr. Linda Malone-Colon, head of Hampton’s psychology department.
The conference also will mark the launch of the school’s National Center on African-American Marriages and Parenting. Led by Malone-Colon, the center at the historically Black university in Hampton, Va., will conduct research and collect data about issues that affect Black marriages and families and provide resources to help parents.
Former NFL coach Tony Dungy and Chick-fil-A founder S. Truett Cathy and his son, Donald, are honorary co-chairs of the two-day event. Organizers say they have gathered a diverse group of more than 100 religious leaders, psychologists and other counseling professionals, public health workers and others affiliated with groups that range from the conservative Focus on the Family to the Omega Psi Phi Black fraternity. Dungy and the elder Cathy are not expected to attend.
