Issue date: 11/5/08 Section: News

Media Credit: Howard McCullough Tavis Smiley speaks about leadership and education at UDC 2008. [Click to enlarge]

Ra-Jah S Kelly interviews Tavis Smiley during a pre-event press conference.

Tavis Smiley, famed activist, author, and television and radio host brought his annual Historically Black Colleges and Universities Talented Tenth Tour presented by the Navy to the University of the District of Columbia.
UDC was the third stop of his five city tour with his appearance consisting of a lecture as well as a question and answer session with audience members.
The name Talented Tenth refers to the W.E.B Dubois concept that college educated African Americans have a responsibility to serve as leaders in their communities.
Throughout his career Smiley has gained renown for his work highlighting issues in the African American community. Last year he also hosted two presidential debates that allowed Democratic and Republican candidates to speak to an African American audience.
In a press conference shortly before his UDC appearance Smiley spoke about his motivations for hosting the tour. "I was giving 85 to 90 speeches a year in addition to doing my television show and I couldn't get to as many HBCU's as I would have liked. I felt it was important for me to be able to carve out dates to get to HBCU's so that we could get on the road and specifically talk about leadership."
Addressing the crowd in his speech Smiley sought to highlight his mantra on leadership explaining, "In order to lead you have to love, and in order to serve you have to save."
During his appearance Smiley's lecture covered a wide range of topics including the upcoming presidential election, the Wall Street Bailout, and of course leadership.
"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 the talent to set the standard for the next generation of leadership for our country."
The event was considered an unparalleled success particularly by Smiley himself.
Commenting on the reaction to the Tour he said, "The response has been overwhelming not just from students but also from the faculty, administration, and the community."
Racquel Layne USGA Vice President said she found the event to be informative and that,"His [Smiley's] definition of leadership will be imprinted on the hearts of many."
Smiley can currently be seen hosting his show 'Tavis Smiley' a late night talk show on the Public Broadcasting Service (PBS). For more information on Smiley or his Talented Tenth Tour visit his website at Tavistalks.com.

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