DETROIT – AARP Michigan will host the inaugural Multiculturalism and Aging Conference on Friday, April 27 from 11:00 A.M. to 6:00 P.M. and Saturday, April 28 from 9:00 A.M. to 6:00 P.M. at the Student Center Building on the campus of Wayne State University in Detroit.
The free conference — which will focus on aging from a cultural perspective — will offer town hall meetings on multiculturalism and retirement security; health screenings; workshops on arts and culture, finance, education, and health and wellness; a resource fair; cooking demonstrations and art exhibits.
“This conference is an opportunity for all those over 50 and their families in all their diversity to come together and enjoy the rich occasion to learn about the many issues everyone faces as we get older,” said Lorraine Cortés-Vázquez, AARP Executive Vice President of Multicultural Markets and Engagement.
Michigan and the nation are at the nexus of aging and multiculturalism, according to the American Society on Aging. Millions of American “baby-boomers” turned 65 by 2011, and by 2032, more older adults will be alive than children. By 2050, the age 65-plus population will increase to 20 percent. In Michigan, the 55-and-older population is expected to exceed 30 percent by 2030. Ethnic populations will also experience major growth by mid-century, and non-Hispanic whites will cease to be the majority population in the U.S.
The historic two-day conference will feature two town hall meetings centered on multiculturalism in Michigan and on protecting and strengthening Social Security and Medicare, the foundation of retirement security for two million Michiganders.
“AARP is excited to host such an important conference,” said Jacqueline Morrison, AARP Michigan State Director. “The focus of the conference is to develop greater competence in meeting the needs of this increasingly diverse population of older adults in the state.”
Other highlights include a panel discussion on advocacy in the multicultural community, featuring elected officials from around the state. A resource fair is designed to provide seniors, their caregivers and family and friends information on such topics as elder law, foreclosure and guardianship. In addition, there will be cooking demonstrations, exercise sessions and cultural performances.
“This conference will provide exposure to our community about the rich, full lives those who are 50, 60, and 70 years old and over can continue to lead,” said Karen Love, representative of the AARP Michigan Executive Council. “The agenda is packed with can’t miss town halls, workshops, performances and resources that will help this segment of our community recognize their commonalities.”
The conference is open to the public. Those attending can park in designated lots and receive free shuttle service to the Student Center Building. For more information and to register for the conference please call 1-877-926-8300 or visit https://www.aarp.org/states/mi/stateeventdetails.eventId=12756&stateCode=MI/.
AARP is a nonprofit, nonpartisan social welfare organization with a membership that helps people 50+ have independence, choice and control in ways that are beneficial to them and society as a whole. AARP does not endorse candidates for public office or make contributions to either politcial campaigns or candidates. We produce AARP The Magazine, the definitive voice for 50+ Americans and the world’s largest-circulation magazine with over 35.1 million readers; AARP Bulletin, the go-to news source for AARP’s millions of members and Americans 50+; AARP VIVA, the only bilingual U.S. publication dedicated exclusively to the 50+ Hispanic community; and our website, AARP.org. AARP Foundation is an affiliated charity that provides security, protection, and empowerment to older persons in need with support from thousands of volunteers, donors, and sponsors. We have staffed offices in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the U. S. Virgin Islands.
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