are not a lot of black males that come or brown males that come to medgar evers. and from that perspective, i said, "okay, president crew has this concept of how we recruit and we retain students," but i needed to focus on black males. >> yeah, you want to -- it sounds like you want to figure out a way to let more of these young men know that there is something here for them and there is something else for you. so you're trying to figure out how to get them interested and get them interested enough to stay. >> yes, ma'am. another purpose, which is a degree, which now leads to a better job. >> now, you're a senior, joshua, right? >> and i understand -- you know, i was reading your r\sum\, and really impressive. >> thank you. >> just the things that are important to you, the time you spend outside of your studies, focusing on other young men. you're a mentor, i understand. >> that is correct. >> but at one point, you thought about dropping out? did i read that correctly? >> something like that. um, i didn't -- i didn't think that medgar was for me at one point in ti

the assassination of medgar evers in 1963. workers james chaney, michael schwerner and andrew goodman in 1964. hell, they had to send in 30,000 armed federal agents, national guardsmen, and military police just to enforce federal law allowing a black man to attend state college. a notion that was, shall we say, less than popular here. to be honest, that was about all i had for an image of the state of mississippi. that was all i knew. and it hadn't occurred to me to look further. but i've traveled the world since then, and i've visited and learned to love many places not my own. cultures and beliefs very different from the upper east side of manhattan. why can't i love mississippi? ♪ y'all know the name pyinfamous ♪ ♪ all bets are off i'm through talking ♪ ♪ never gonna fall for my spider move august and september ♪ ♪ block your october so you should be thankful the party's not over ♪ ♪ we won the race 'cause they ran a lame campaign ♪ ♪ i'm over here cooking victory you want a taste? ♪ >> anthony: pyinfamous is a proud son an

. >> up next, the national black writers conference at medgar evers college. this year's stellar lineup includes award-winning journalist farai chideya. she's next. it's not just young people... [slow, building african-style music] it's your chance. it's your time. time to connect. time to show them they're everything. because, before you know it, they'll be all grown up. kalahari resorts & conventions. the world's coolest indoor waterparks. explore the new african adventure >> this year's national black writers conference at medgar evers college takes on the timely subject of race. its theme -- "writing race, embracing difference." joining us this afternoon is award-winning journalist and political and cultural analyst farai chideya. thanks so much for being here. >> oh, i am so delighted to be here. >> and i am so honored to meet you! i have admired you for years. >> oh, likewise. >> well, it is with great pleasure that we have you on "here and now." >> i really appreciate your show, and it's so important, and you have just such a great variety of people on.