College & Theater Events

<p><span style="color: rgb(124, 131, 137);">Sohaila Abdulali was sexually assaulted as a teenager in India, promised to remain silent in return for her life, and has not stopped talking since. Her work as an activist, a counselor, and an author has taken her around the world. </span></p><p><span style="color: rgb(124, 131, 137);">Drawing from her own experiences and those of thousands of other survivors, Abdulali inspires audiences to reconsider the way we talk about sexual assault and gender roles in society.

<p>Being misidentified as the perpetrator of a heinous crime is what nightmares are made of. It is a nightmare that became all too real for Ronald Cotton. </p>

Kenyette Tisha Barnes is a political strategist, lobbyist, public speaker, trainer, mother and CEO of Nia Vizyon, LLC, a social justice, consulting and political strategy lobbying firm; and the National Co-Founder of #MuteRKelly.  

As a political strategist, lobbyist, and National Co-Founder of #MuteRKelly, Barnes is also known as the “Legislative Empress,” best known for her work with the Georgia General Assembly. Her legislative work includes lobbying for HIV advocacy, anti-human trafficking, domestic violence, post-partum depression, special education and voter’s rights.

<p>Ice-T not only invented gangster rap, he lived it. He is the embodiment of LA Hip-Hop, an actor, and a cultural icon. </p>

<p>Through his music, his books, and his lecture tours of America’s prisons, high schools, libraries, and colleges (including Harvard, Princeton, and Stanford), Ice-T has become an influential spokesman for America’s youth, regardless of color. </p>

<p>Rachel Elizabeth Cargle is an Ohio born writer and lecturer. Her activist and academic work are rooted in providing intellectual discourse, tools, and resources that explore the intersection of race and womanhood. </p><p>Her content continues to launch meaningful conversation amongst her community of over 230k followers on IG. In addition to her talk on the TEDx stage, her public lecture Unpacking White Feminism has been featured on campuses around the country including American University, Yale, and Harvard.

<p>Rita Moreno remains one of the busiest stars in show business. Rita recently starred in the critically-acclaimed Latino remake of Norman Lear’s classic sitcom, <i>One Day at a Time</i> on Netflix. Prior to that, Rita has also appeared in guest-starring roles in primetime TV series such as <i>Getting On</i>, <i>Jane The Virgin</i>, <i>Grey’s Anatomy</i>, and<i> Grace and Frankie</i>.</p><p>In 2015 Rita received the Kennedy Center Honor for her lifetime Contributions to American culture.

<p>Michael Barbaro created and hosts The Daily, the wildly popular five-day-a-week podcast from <em>The New York Times</em>. Since its creation in 2017, at the beginning of the Trump presidency, The Daily has become the most popular news podcast in the world, with more than 3 million listeners.

<p>Born and raised in Detroit, Demetrius taught himself graphic design in 3rd grade. By the time he reached 7th grade, he had used those skills to start a clothing brand that would eventually become his current clothing brand, "You Matter by Demetrius Harmon." </p><p>In 9th grade he started posting YouTube videos as a way to cope with a change of schools.

<p>Susan Cain is the world’s most famous introvert and named by LinkedIn the 6th Top Influencer in the world just behind Richard Branson and Melinda Gates.</p><p>Cain is the author of <i>Quiet Power: The Secret Strengths of Introverted Kids</i> and <i>Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can’t Stop Talking</i>, which has been on the <i>New York Times</i> bestseller list for seven years and counting, and has been translated into 40 languages.

<p>Scott Harrison spent a decade entertaining his darkest vices as a nightclub promoter until he finally realized he was creating a meaningless legacy. Spiritually and emotionally bankrupt, Scott volunteered as a photojournalist on a hospital ship off the coast of West Africa. There, he saw the devastating health impact dirty water has on communities. </p>