Black History Month Speakers

Judge Karen Mills-FrancisJudge Karen Mills-Francis has a colorful and engaging style that is as distinctive as her bold burgundy robe and her bright blonde hair. As quick to aid the helpless as she is to dismiss the hare-brained, Judge Karen confidently dished out justice to a national television audience with the half-hour syndicated courtroom series, Judge Karen. She is famous for the lines "Stay in your Lane, I know how to Drive". For fall 201...

With his Multi-Grammy Award winning music career and his continued work in film, Common has emerged as one of Hollywood's most sought after leading men. He has been seen on the silver screen in films such as SMOKIN ACES, AMERICAN GANGSTER, WANTED, TERMINATOR SALVATION and was most recently in DATE NIGHT and JUST WRIGHT.   Prior to acting, COMMON rose to prominence as one of hip-hops most poetic and respected lyricists having recorded over eight...

Veteran Democratic political strategist Donna Brazile is an adjunct professor, author, syndicated columnist, television political commentator, Vice Chair of Voter Registration and Participation at the Democratic National Committee, and former chair of the DNC’s Voting Rights Institute. Last, but never least, she is a native of New Orleans.   Aside from working for the full recovery of her beloved New Orleans, Ms. Brazile’s passion is encouragin...

Growing up in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, Lynn Whitfield first watched the likes of Audrey Hepburn in "Breakfast at Tiffany's" and Bette Davis in "All About Eve" from her grandmother's lap. She loved classic movies and with child-like confidence, she could see no reason she could not become an actress and some day play those same types of roles.  Over the course of nearly three decades, the talent of the little girl who dreamed of being on the silver...

Tai BeauchampA media industry veteran and social entrepreneur, Tai has a rare and innate ability to connect with audiences across demographics. It was as a magazine editor that Ms. Beauchamp learned the profound power of media and how to use it to motivate and inspire millions around the world. Becoming a humanitarian taught her the most valuable lesson: “young women and the world-at-large want to be inspired and that inspiration can start out as...

Judy A. SmithJudy A. Smith is the founder and President of Smith & Co, a leading strategic and crisis communications firm with offices in Washington D.C. and Los Angeles. Over the last 25 years, Ms. Smith has brought her unique combination of communication skills, media savvy, legal and political acumen to clients facing a wide array of issues and challenges throughout the United States and abroad. Ms. Smith honed her skills through her experien...

Hard hitting, inspiring, intelligent, honest, and direct. These are some of the words used to describe the style and approach of Emmy award winning broadcaster Ed Gordon. Known for his stellar interaction with newsmakers from the worlds of politics, entertainment, and sports his name is synonymous with the “big” interview. Gordon’s knack for landing exclusives and his no-nonsense style make him one of television’s most respected journalists. Now,...

Audiences know Wendy Raquel Robinson as the sexy and feisty sports manager ‘Tasha Mack’ on BET’s #1 rated scripted series, The Game. This groundbreaking role has earned her an NAACP Image Award nomination for “Outstanding Actress in a Comedy Series” and three nominations for “Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series.” With another record-breaking premiere and continued rating success, “The Game” has shown its staying power and has viewer...

Roland S. Martin is a nationally award-winning and multifaceted journalist.   A nationally syndicated columnist with Creators Syndicate  and the author of Listening to the Spirit Within: 50 Perspectives on Faith, and Speak, Brother! A Black Man’s View of America. He also serves as executive editor of the Chicago Defender, the nation’s largest Black daily newspaper.   Mr. Martin is a commentator for TV One Cable Network  also host of “The Rola...

Harry Belafonte has been called “the consummate entertainer”- an artist in every field in which, he has participated - a concert singer, a recording artist, a movie, Broadway and television star and producer.  Belafonte’s activity in the human rights struggle is globally respected. His awards and recognitions include both worlds, as artist and humanitarian. He believes that his work for human rights and his artistic pursuits give him the basis f...

Internationally acclaimed motivational and inspirational speaker, award winning actress (DREAMGIRLS, Moesha), Sheryl Lee Ralph consistently creates a contagious positive energy with her empowering and thought provoking messages of family, faith and overcoming. Ms. Ralph has spoken at schools, universities, social organizations, churches and religious conferences around the world. Able to speak on a variety of subjects, Ms. Ralph also performs he...

Chaz Shepherd is a Singer, Writer, Producer, Composer, Actor, Speaker, Activist, and Host. From singing your soul happy and invoking a better you to hosting the Apollo theater, Chaz reaches for you one way or another. Chaz Shepherd was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania where he still lives. The son of the great Cheryl Shepherd and Ronald Shepherd, Chaz inherited creative talent and Charisma that pleasantly touches the hearts of those who experi...

Dr. Julianne MalveauxRecognized for her provocative, progressive and insightful observations, Dr. Julianne Malveaux, an economist, author and commentator, is the President and CEO of Last Word Productions, Inc, a multimedia production company. Described by Dr. Cornel West as “the most iconoclastic public intellectual in the country”, Dr. Malveaux’s contributions to the public dialogue on issues such as race, culture, gender, and their economic im...

Ryan MackPresident of Optimum Capital Management, Ryan Mack, has a life mission to build and develop a durable financial empire geared towards educating his community and beyond. In addition to being a financial advisor working with many prominent clients across the U.S., he charitably lends his support to inner-city communities by coordinating workshops and creating economic empowerment initiatives that teach the principles of understanding the...

Dr. Avis Jones-DeWeeverAn authoritative voice on race, gender, politics, and the production of positive social change, Dr. Avis Jones-DeWeever is widely regarded as one of the most engaging and informative political and social commentators in the US. Currently serving as the Executive Director of the National Council of Negro Women, the nation’s oldest organization devoted to the advancement of both civil rights and women’s rights, her work catal...