Black History Month

<p>Kevin Blackistone spotlights the power of sport as an institution to illuminate critical social and political issues and serve as a platform to ignite social change.</p><p>Kevin is an award-winning national sports columnist at <em>The Washington Post</em>, a panelist on ESPN’s <em>Around the Horn</em>, and a contributor to NPR. He is also a professor at the University of Maryland Philip Merrill College of Journalism and co-author of <em>A Gift for Ron</em>, a memoir by former NFL star Everson Walls.

<p>One of the most highly accomplished public figures in America today, Former Attorney General Loretta Lynch has been a leading progressive voice during her 30+ year highly distinguished career.</p><p>She is the first female African American Attorney General of the United States, appointed by President Barack Obama in 2015. She also served as the head of the U.S.

<p>Named one of the 150 most powerful African Americans by <i>Ebony</i> magazine, Dr. Michael Eric Dyson, an American Book Award recipient and two-time NAACP Image Award winner, “is reshaping what it means to be a public intellectual by becoming the most visible black academic of his time.” </p><p>Dr.

Keith Boykin is a national political commentator, TV and film producer, New York Times best-selling author, and a former White House aide to President Bill Clinton. His latest books are Race Against Time: The Politics of a Darkening America (2021), Quitting: Why I Left My Job to Live a Life of Freedom (2022) and Why Does Everything Have to Be About Race? (2024).

<p>Celebrated for her compelling storytelling and in-depth reporting, Soledad O’Brien shares with audiences her thought-provoking insights on media, race, class, and socioeconomic issues—and how the power of our stories can drive change. </p><p>Soledad O’Brien is an award-winning documentarian, journalist, speaker, author, philanthropist, and founder of Soledad O’Brien Productions, a media production company dedicated to telling empowering and authentic stories on a range of social issues.

<p>Iconic activist Angela Davis has made it her mission to share her life story and challenge her audiences to join the struggle for racial, economic, and gender justice. </p><p>Angela has been deeply involved in some of the major social movements over the last 50 years. She was born and raised in Birmingham, Ala., by parents who were active community organizers. As a teenager, she marched and picketed against racial segregation. Angela went on earn a doctorate in philosophy.

Michelle Alexander’s acclaimed best-seller, The New Jim Crow: Mass Incarceration in the Age of Colorblindness released a special 10th anniversary edition in January 2020.

<p>Earvin "Magic" Johnson has become one of the most powerful African-American businessmen in the world. He is Major League Baseball owner, an NBA legend, a two-time Hall of Famer, an entrepreneur, philanthropist and popular keynote speaker.

<p>From the basketball court to the board room, former NBA star Walter Bond motivates audiences by sharing his life story of trials and triumphs. Growing up in Chicago, he always dreamed of playing in the NBA but lacked the natural athletic gifts of many of his peers.

<p>Michael Sam encourages you to boldly and courageously pursue your dreams and define your success with his impassioned personal story of resilience over life&#39;s challenges.</p><p>A University of Missouri football star primed for an early round pick in the 2014 NFL draft, Michael’s talents on the field were nearly sidelined when he came out as gay during an ESPN interview. While his revelation sent shockwaves through the sports world and resulted in a last round pick by the St.