By Lamar James

Administrators from around the country gathered in Oakland this week for the National Forum for Black Public Administrators.

The 26th annual training conference, which began Saturday and ended Wednesday, gives corporate executives, educators and state and local government managers a place to connect and exchange ideas.

“We learn and we revitalize, we exchange ideas and help others to come up with solutions for problem solving,” said conference chairwoman Toni Adams. “We leave here with a spirit of accomplishment, ready to solve any obstacle that we are faced with.”

Adams said networking is the main focus of the event, which gives people the opportunity to meet others who have faced and overcome similar problems and obstacles.

This is the second time the conference was held in Oakland.

Executive Director Bonita Hilburn-Cade said what she has learned from colleagues at the annual event has helped her career and problem solving techniques.

“Anytime I had a problem, I could remember who I met at the conference that may have had the same problem. Then I could communicate information between them and come up with a solution,” said Hilburn-Cade. “I have been coming to the conference for 15 years, and every time I come, I meet someone new or learn something new. You are always taking something home with you after you leave the conference.”

The five-day event included more than 40 workshops, tours and other networking events intended to recognize work in the public service field. Keynote speakers included former San Francisco Mayor Willie Brown; Michelle Singletary, a columnist with The Washington Post; and Marc Lamont Hill, PhD.

Chairwoman Deborah Morton said one of the most important lessons she’s learned is the importance of “getting younger people involved and recruiting new members, making them aware of the joys of public service, and introducing them to the offices that can be held.

“This is what the conference is about,” she said. “Helping people and coming up with solutions and problem solving techniques so that we can make change.”