Developing more programs and increasing public visibility are some of the goals the newly elected Men of Color co-coordinators will concentrate on during the next two years.

Men of Color, a Central Pennsylvania support group geared toward minority men, recently elected Aaron Singleton, a writer/editor in the University's Department of Public Information, and Robert Loeb, assistant director of academic affairs at the Altoona Campus.

"Men of Color is basically a support group and an umbrella group which supports all its members from different minority backgrounds," Singleton said.

As co-coordinators, Singleton and Loeb will organize group meetings and events, preside over committees and act as the group's spokesmen.

Men of Color began meeting in 1988 after several local minority men saw a need for a support system similar to that provided by Women of Color. Women of Color, founded in 1987, offers minority women an opportunity to share their concerns and problems.

Separate groups for men and women exist because the concerns and needs of the two groups are different, said Richard Mayhew, former coordinator of Men of Color.

Today more than 75 male citizens of Centre, Huntington, Clinton and other Central Pennsylvania counties, and University faculty and staff members participate in support discussions, listen to guest speakers and sponsor socials with the Women of Color.

Despite the group's success, Rickey McCurry, a group member, said he would like to see more people become aware of the group's existence and positive contributions to the community.

Singleton's experience in public relations will be helpful in achieving this goal, he said.

According the group's constitution, Men of Color aims to enrich friendships among people of color, promote cultural diversity and encourage peaceful coexistence among different minorities.

It is a place where members can share common goals, interests and problems, as well as develop friendships, McCurry said. "It's a good outlet for me," he added.

All members of the group are either black, Hispanic, Asian American, Pacific Islander or American Indian males. Each of the group's committees include one representative from each of these groups.

Although the group's constitution does not rule out non-minority participation, its main purpose is to enrich and provide support for minority men, said Mayhew, a University artist-in-residence and fellowship instructor.

"We really want the group to be united, no one group to dominate. We want to be a true umbrella organization," Singleton said.