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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...


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Dr. Boyce WatkinsDr. Boyce Watkins is one of the most highly sought after African-American scholars in the world. Specializing in financial psychology, educational motivation, and black social commentary, Dr. Watkins has presented his message to millions, making regular appearances on CNN, CNBC, MSNBC, ABC News, BET, The New York Times, The Washington Post, Black Enterprise Magazine and many more national media outlets. Brilliant, articulate, and...


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Common

Actor and Multi-Grammy Winning Music Artist

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...


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Hill Harper is an award winning actor, bestselling author and philanthropist. Hill is the author of three New York Times bestsellers: Letters to a Young Brother, Letters to a Young Sister, and The Conversation. Letters to a Young Brother was named “Best Book for Young Adults” by the American Library Association in 2007. Hill currently stars on the hit television drama CSI:NY as Dr. Sheldon Hawkes. CSI is the most successful television franchise i...


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Donna Brazile

Political Commentator and Chair of the Voting Rights Institute

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...


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Sophia A. NelsonSophia A. Nelson is an accomplished woman on the move. She is a much sought after speaker, media/political commentator, national columnist and first time author who is “redefining” the rules for 21st Century living and success. As one of only a handful of African American female national opinion writers and political/cultural pundits, Sophia contributes to The Washington Post, CNN Opinion, TheGrio.com, TheRoot.com, NPR, and is fe...


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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...


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Terrence J is a young man with a master plan. From apprenticing with NASCAR® to working on radio and throwing some of the best social gatherings around, Terrence J has been preparing himself for superstardom and making sure that his life is the American Dream, blasted out of the box. Now, he’s using his hosting spot on BET®’s 106 and Park, the hottest music program in the world (airing in the US, Japan and the UK), to take his plan to the next le...


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Tai Beauchamp

Sought after Media Veteran, Social Entrepreneur, Philanthropist and Spelman Alumnus who lives her life for others

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...


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Jordan Coleman

2011 Global Teen Leader, actor, author and education activist impacting youth one story and one community at a time

Jordan Coleman is a young man on a mission. At 16-years-old, he's a filmmaker, actor, author, education activist, honor roll student and athlete. He was recently named one the 25 Most Influential People in Our Children's Lives by Children's Health magazine. Jordan won the 2011 Martha’s Vineyard African-American Film Festival HBO Best Feature Film competition with his film Payin’ The Price, a cautionary tale about teen dating violence..   He is ...


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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...


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Daymond John

Founder of FUBU & Judge on Hit Show Shark Tank

A young entrepreneur, industry pioneer, highly regarded marketing expert, and a man who has surpassed new heights of commercial and financial success are just a few ways people have described Daymond John. Over the last 20 years, The Shark, Daymond John, has evolved from one of the most successful fashion icons of his generation to a highly sought after branding expert, author, consultant, and business as well as motivational speaker.   Daymond...


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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,...


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Ilyasah Shabazz

Daughter of Malcolm X and Author of Growing Up X

(pronounced ILL-YAH-SAH SHAH-BOZZ) is an author, producer, and motivational speaker as she lectures to capacity audiences across the United States. Her coming-of-age Random House publication, Growing Up X, won critical acclaim, including an NAACP Image Award nomination, BET best book list, and United Press International book of the week. With an avid following of readers, two new releases are slated for 2013—a children’s book with Simon & Schuste...


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Wendy Raquel Robinson

Star Actress of The Game, Producer, Director, and Entrepreneur

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...


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Kenneth Morris

Direct Descendant of Frederick Douglass and Booker T. Washington

Kenneth B. Morris, Jr. is descended from two of the most important names in American history: he is the great-great-great grandson of Frederick Douglass and the great-great grandson of Booker T. Washington. His life until the year 2007 could be described as distinguished yet decisively disengaged from his lineage until Providence called.   Today, Ken's career and life path are driven by a mission to end human trafficking and all forms of servit...


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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...


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Nikki Giovanni

World-renowned poet and thought leader on black social commentary

Nikki Giovanni is a world-renowned poet, writer, commentator, activist, and educator. Over the past thirty years, her outspokenness, in her writing and in lectures, has brought the eyes of the world upon her. One of the most widely-read American poets, she prides herself on being "a Black American, a daughter, a mother, a professor of English." Giovanni remains as determined and committed as ever to the fight for civil rights and equality. Always...


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Harry Belefonte

Iconic entertainer and humanitarian

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...


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Mario Armstrong

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Mario Armstrong, Digital Lifestyle Expert   Mario Armstrong, Digital Lifestyle Expert and Emmy Award Winning Media Personality, provides regular commentary to CNN/HLN, The TODAY Show, NPR Morning Edition, Tell Me More, Sirius/XM, and Public Radio WYPR. Mario is a guide to Motivate, Educate, Inspire and Innovate, for consumers, youth and business people as they engage and consider current and evolving digital and technology solutions in their li...


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Sheryl Lee Ralph

Sheryl Lee Ralph is D.I.V.A. Divinely Inspired Victoriously Alive!!

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...


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Kai Dupé

Speaker | Trainer | Developer | Entrepreneur

Kai Dupe is a speaker,  trainer and software development consultant with over 25 years of experience.  He is an expert in languages such as Object Pascal and C#.  Dupé has trained thousands of people on how to use programming languages such as Visual Basic and ASP.Net.  Mr. Dupé is also a doctoral student at Pepperdine University where he is researching the lack of African American males in the information technology field.  Kai is concerned wit...


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Chaz Shepherd

20th Century Self-Motivational & Inspirational Speaker, dedicated to helping you become Better

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...


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George Fraser

Networking Guru

George C. Fraser is Chairman and CEO of FraserNet, Inc. A company he founded some 20 years ago with the vision to lead a global networking movement that brings together diverse human resources to increase opportunities for people of African descent. He is considered by many to be a new voice for African Americans and one of the foremost authorities on economic development, networking and building effective relationships. While George’s accomplis...


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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...


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Al DuncanAl Duncan is an award-winning youth advocate, publisher, and internationally recognized authority on soft skills who travels the world "Equipping Young Minds For Exceptional Performance.™" As the leading motivational speaker for at-risk youth and troubled young people, Al has delivered Duncan Nuggets®, live and in-person, to over 1 million young people around the world.    He is the owner of three successful business and he is the auth...


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Ryan Mack

Financial Guru and Founder of Optimum Capital Management, LLC

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...


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Dr. Lee Jones

Man Cannot and Will Not Destroy God's Plan for Your Life...No Matter How Hard Some May Try!

Dr. Lee Jones currently serves Professor and President & Executive Editor of InSpire Magazine and Executive Director of the InSpire ILEAD Institute. Most recently, he served as the Dean of The School of Graduate Studies and Professor of Educational Foundations at The University of Wisconsin at Whitewater He served as a member of the Provost Administrative Team and manages a 3.2 million dollar operating budget. Dr. Jones was responsible for provid...


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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...


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  Farai Chideya is a multimedia journalist who has worked in print, television, online, and radio. Prior to joining NPR's News & Notes, Chideya hosted Your Call, a daily news and cultural call-in show on San Francisco's KALW 91.7 FM. Chideya has also been a correspondent for ABC News, anchored the prime time program Pure Oxygen on the Oxygen women's channel, and contributed commentaries to CNN, Fox, MSNBC, and BET. She got her start as a researc...


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