Winston-Salem State University hosted its sixth annual Black Male Symposium panel on February 25, at 10 a.m. in Dillard Auditorium.

Panelists included Dr. Nkrumah Lewis, WSSU associate professor of Sociology; Dr. William Boone, WSSU associate professor of African American Culture; Fleming El-Amin, chair Forsyth County Democratic party; Algenon Cash, managing director of Wharton Gladden & Co., LLC; and a student member of Black Men for Change.

Cash is managing director of Wharton Gladden, a boutique real estate investment banking firm headquartered in North Carolina. In 2003, Algenon and a group of private investors created Wharton Gladden to provide small and middle market business owners, real estate developers, and investors with commercial mortgage banking, private equity, and capital markets advisory.

Cash enjoys opportunities to educate younger generations from a conservative standpoint on political issues. "I enjoy any opportunity that allows me to inspire, influence, and improve upon the lives of others," said Cash.

WSSU’s Black Men for Change is a student organization, founded in 2003 to help empower African-American males to rise above negative stereotypes and become productive assets to their community. The mission is "to address the obstacles facing underrepresented male groups by providing access to greater social and cultural opportunities by way of networking and activism within our campus and broader community.  Ultimately, we seek to create a supportive environment built upon the tenants of brotherhood, personal excellence, and community awareness."

According to Cash "the message of empowerment is the cornerstone to the conservative movement, so I was excited when asked to share my insight on the panel."