Tallahassee, FL. – Florida A&M University’s (FAMU) Office of Student Activities will host Tavis Smiley as part of his Talented TENth HBCU Tour Thursday, September 20, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. in Lee Hall. FAMU is one of five historically black colleges and universities participating in the tour.
The Talented TENth HBCU Tour is an inspirational discussion on how today's young people can build their leadership legacy for tomorrow.
“I created this tour to enlighten, encourage, and empower students to think about what their own leadership legacy will be,” said Smiley. “That is what they can do today that will echo throughout their communities, careers, and ultimately throughout history. I’m convinced that the students who attend these institutions of higher learning are the scholars, the exceptional – the leaders of the future. They possess the courage and talent to set the standard for the next generation of leadership for our country.”
Smiley will lead a two-hour interactive discussion on the characteristics of successful role models in the areas of business, public service, religion and academia. And, he will challenge the students to develop their leadership guiding principles. The title sponsor, the U.S. Navy, will host a special session to examine how leadership skills developed within its organization has helped many achieve a lifetime of success. The special session will be open to students on each campus.
“The U.S. Navy is honored to support Tavis Smiley’s vision and the need to cultivate strong leaders within our community,” said Captain Anthony P. Barnes, director of operations, Commander, Navy Recruiting Command. “We are at a time in Black America in which those who have access to a college education are poised to surpass the accomplishments of their parents and grandparents. The questions I must pose to these talented students are: ’How will you lead, and how will you serve our community, our nation and the world?’”
Smiley’s lecture also will address the existing issues and challenges of Black leadership, while emphasizing examples of ethical, effective and transformational leadership for emerging leaders.
A radio and TV broadcaster, Smiley hosts a half-hour nightly talk show on PBS, Tavis Smiley, that reaches 92 percent of America’s households and is seen in 187 countries through American Forces Network. The Tavis Smiley Show from PRI reaches 800,000 listeners each weekend. His social and political commentary heard regularly on The Tom Joyner Morning Show reaches 8 million listeners weekly. His annual symposium, State of the Black Union, featuring America’s premiere thought leaders, engages thousands of attendees and over 100 million viewers worldwide. Published under Smiley Books, his most recent book, The Covenant In Action, hit the New York Times Best Sellers List.
Admission is free. The general public is invited to attend. Students are encouraged to register. To register, visit http://www.tavistalks.com/events/signatureevents/talentedtenth. The first 1,000 attendees will receive a free T-Shirt. For more information, call (850) 599-3400.
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