The conference theme was developed with the current global economic condition in mind. As management scholars, we have an opportunity to contribute our thoughts, ideas and strategies for addressing issues related to surviving turbulent economic times. This is particularly the case since people of color are disproportionately affected by unemployment, underemployment, and have relatively limited access to funding for their businesses. The conference program will include plenary sessions, panel discussions, breakout workshops (e.g., paper presentations) and discipline specific roundtable discussions of working papers.

We are excited and honored to have Dr. Taylor Cox, Jr. an emanate scholar in the field of diversity research and Founder and CEO of Taylor Cox & Associates, Inc., a research and diversity consulting firm, as our featured guest. The program will also include a panel discussion with business men and women from the Metro Detroit area who are actively involved in the Southeastern Michigan Economic Development Incubator.

We invite you to submit a proposal and actively participate in the 2010 MFCA conference. We ask all conference attendees to participate in the research roundtable session. This activity will enable attendees to share and receive invaluable information, feedback and insight on their research works-in-progress. You may submit your abstract electronically at the Eastern Michigan University 2010 MFCA website at http://commons.emich.edu/mfca/. The program committee will organize and coordinate the roundtables based on your submissions. Submission details are provided in the Conference Call for Proposals. The deadline for submitting proposals is Wednesday, March 31, 2010.

A block of hotel rooms is being held at the Marriott at Eagle Crest Hotel, Resort & Conference Center in Ypsilanti, MI. Our conference rate is $92/night for single occupancy or double occupancy (plus applicable taxes). These rates are available for Thursday, Friday, and Saturday nights. To book your room, please visit the hotel website directly at http://www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/dtwys-ann-arbor-marriott-ypsilanti-at-eagle-crest/ or call 734-487-2000. Use the Group Code MFCMFCA to insure you get the Conference rate. Please make your hotel reservation before Monday, May 3, 2010 in order to receive the discounted rate.

The Eastern Michigan University College of Business is located in downtown Ypsilanti, MI only 8 miles west of Ann Arbor and 25 miles southeast of Detroit. Those of you making flight arrangements should fly into Detroit Metropolitan airport (DTW). The hotel does not provide shuttle service from the airport; therefore, you will need to utilize the services of a taxi, the airport shuttle service or rent a vehicle. Free parking is available at the hotel. Reservations for the airport shuttle service can be made at 734-222-9400 or online at http://www.annarborairportahuttle.net/1.html.

The registration fee of $125 (early registration) and $150 (late registration) includes dinner on Thursday evening as well as breakfast and lunch on Friday and Saturday. Conference materials are also included in the registration fee. Thanks to the financial support we have received from the College of Business at Eastern Michigan University we are able to provide a quality program while keeping the registration fee as reasonable as possible. You may register online at http://www.regonline.com/mfca2010/.

Please let us know if you have any questions or would like to share ideas about the conference or the Management Faculty of Color Association. On behalf of the MFCA officers and conference planning committee, I look forward to seeing you in the Great Lakes State Where There are Great Things to See and Do!

Collegially yours,
Joseph E. Garcia, Ph.D., MFCA President
Martin Davidson, Ph.D., MFCA Conference Program Chair
Crissie Frye, Ph.D. and La Verne Hairston Higgins, Ph.D., MFCA Conference Local Co-Chairs