An Evening with Michael Eric Dyson, Best Selling Author, Scholar, and Cultural Critic

Dyson, an author and scholar, has been listed by Ebony magazine as one of the 150 most powerful African Americans. His works, including Reflecting Black: African American Cultural Criticism; Come Hell or High Water: Hurricane Katrina and the Color of Disaster; and Is Bill Cosby Right? Or Has the Black Middle Class Lost Its Mind? have provoked national conversations on race and class. Written in 1994, Dyson's Making Malcolm: The Myth and Meaning of Malcolm X is considered one of the most important African-American works of the 20th century, while his I May Not Get There with You: The True Martin Luther King, Jr. is written to unveil the true radical nature of a man whom most remember or are taught was the ultimate peacemaker.

An Evening with Tim Wise, an Anti-Racist Essayist, Author and Educator.

Wise, who began his career as Youth Coordinator and Associate Director of the Louisiana Coalition Against Racism and Nazism, now tours the country speaking to students on over 1,000 college and high school campuses. He also speaks to professional institutions on ways to remove racism from within their ranks. Wise's memoir White Like Me: Reflections on Race from a Privileged Son, is widely regarded for its depiction of how racism creates privilege for Whites, while negatively impacting persons of color. His five other works, including Dear White America: Letter to a New Minority, have also earned critical acclaimed. His seventh work Culture of Cruelty: How America's Elite Demonize the Poor, Valorize the Rich and Jeopardize the Future, is scheduled for release in early 2015.

An Evening with Richard Claxton “Dick” Gregory, Civil Rights Activist, Nutritionist, Comedian, and Author

Gregory, Richard Claxton “Dick” (Born, October 12, 1932, St. Louis, Mo.), African American comedian and civil rights activist whose social satire changed the way white Americans perceived African American comedians since he first performed in public. Gregory’s autobiography, Nigger, was published in 1963 prior to The assassination of President Kennedy, and became the number one best-selling book in America. Over the decades it has sold in excess of seven million copies. His choice for the title was explained in the forward, where Dick Gregory wrote a note to his mother. “Whenever you hear the word ‘Nigger’,” he said, “you’ll know their advertising my book.” In 1984 he founded Health Enterprises, Inc., a company that distributed weight loss products. In 1987 Gregory introduced the Slim-Safe Bahamian Diet, a powdered diet mix, which was immensely profitable. Economic losses caused in part by conflicts with his business partners led to his eviction from his home in 1992. Gregory remained active, however, and in 1996 returned to the stage in his critically acclaimed one-man show, Dick Gregory Live! The reviews of Gregory’s show compared him to the greatest stand-ups in the history of Broadway.

An Evening with Janks Mortons, Actor, Educator, Activist

Janks Morton is a creator of media and entertainment for African Americans and consumers of Black culture. These projects challenge audiences to make a difference in their lives and communities with a series of thought-provoking pro-social initiatives through music, film, traditional and alternative media outlets.

An Evening with Dr. Venus Opal Reese, Motivational Speaker, Business Woman, and Author

This Droppin' Knowledge Lecture Series will challenge the audience to "defy the impossible". Dr. Venus Opal Reese will offer insight on how to achieve success on Thursday, September 17, at 6:30pm in Martin Luther King Hall-Thomas Pawley Theature, 812 E. Dunklin Street. Reese, an inspirational speaker, business mentor and marketing strategist, offers training to professionals, particularly entrepreneurs and executives, on how to "defy their impossible" to reach million-dollar success. Reese has consulted for O Magazines, and appeared on ABC and CBS News. For more information on Dr. Venus Opal Reese, please visit http://defyimpossible.com.

An Evening with Lisa Nicole Bell, Award-Winning Media Entrepreneur, Writer, Producer, and On Camera Talent

Lisa Bell is the founder and CEO of Inspired Life Media Group, a Los Angeles-based international content development and production company that works with a diverse cross-section of venture-backed startups, high profile individuals, and fortune 500 brands. Lisa, past content and business ventures are critically-acclaimed, diverse, and plentiful. She created, directed, and produced The American Dream Revised, a digital docuseries that follows a diverse group of young entrepreneurs. Lisa’s past business ventures include startups in technology, personal development, and original content.After launching her first company at 19 years old, she later started a for-profit social enterprise that reached more than 400,000 girls around the world with active programs in Liberia, England, Brazil, and the US.