Saturday, February 28, 2009 Convention Center, Los Angeles
On Saturday, February 28, 2009, during Black History Month, the 10th Anniversary Year of the State of the Black Union has taken place starring Dr. Cornel West. Cornel West, a Black American leader, has written a very important document that was discussed in detail on the State of Black Union Panel. Dr. West has played a very large part in Tavis Smiley's program at the Philadelphia National Constitution Center -"America I am." For more details go to americaniam.org. The State of the Black Union 2009 gathering was televised live on C-SPAN all day long from 11:00 AM to 7:00 PM.
At the outset of the State of Black Union program, the Minister Dela Reese opened with prayer. And this was followed by Host Tavis Smiley introducing President Barack Obama, 44th President of the United States, to speak. President Barack Obama presented a message by means of video. The first key speaker of the event was Tom Joyner, Radio Show Host.
Dr. Cornel West
Some of the most influential thinkers, entertainers, and political leaders of our time gather each year to discuss the State of the Black Union during Black History Month. The 2009 State of the Black Union celebrates its 10th anniversary of historic conversations. As Americans celebrate the inauguration of our new President, along with other important national, state, and local elections, this year’s panels examine the role that African Americans can and must play to create an America as good as its promise, from health to housing, criminal justice to environmental justice, and education to economic prosperity. Panelists from the first State of the Black Union in 1999 will return and take center stage to address and undress the media images and social realities of African Americans.
Some of the most influential thinkers, entertainers, and political leaders of our time gather each year to discuss the State of the Black Union during Black History Month. The 2009 State of the Black Union celebrates its 10th anniversary of historic conversations. As Americans celebrate the inauguration of our new President, along with other important national, state, and local elections, this year’s panels examine the role that African Americans can and must play to create an America as good as its promise, from health to housing, criminal justice to environmental justice, and education to economic prosperity. Panelists from the first State of the Black Union in 1999 will return and take center stage to address and undress the media images and social realities of African Americans.
LOS ANGELES (OCT.14, 2008) – Tavis Smiley’s State of the Black Union (SOBU), one of the most anticipated annual events for millions of African Americans during the last decade, will return to Los Angeles—the site of the first symposium—in celebration of its 10th anniversary on February 28, 2009, at the Los Angeles Convention Center.
Under the theme, “Making America As Good As Its Promise,” the symposium will capture the essence of what it has meant for African Americans to be enlightened, encouraged, and empowered by these solution-driven conversations over the years. The symposium is free and open to the public. Advance registration is required online at www.tavistalks.com. Smiley and attorney Raymond Brown will moderate the discussion that will be broadcast live to millions of viewers on C-SPAN. The 2009 symposium will feature two panel discussions from 8:00 AM – 11:30 AM and 1:00 PM – 4:00 PM Pacific Time. 11:00 AM -7:00 PM Eastern Time. In addition, a series of conversations scheduled for Friday, Feb. 27, geared toward issues important to high school and college students will be held at the University of Southern California (USC) and selected high schools in Los Angeles.
For the 2009 symposium, Tavis Smiley Presents has woven the past and present by inviting panelists from the original symposium which was held on the campus of USC. Those panelists included Danny Glover, Nikki Giovanni, Na′im Akbar, Michael Eric Dyson, Lani Guinier, Jesse L. Jackson, Sr., Danny Bakewell, Sr., Jawanza Kunjufu, Les Brown, Charles Ogletree, Randall Robinson, Iyanla Vanzant, Julianne Malveaux, Maxine Waters, Earvin “Magic” Johnson, and Dr. Cornel West.
On Monday, March 2, 2009, Dr. Cornel West will deliver a Town Hall Meeting setting presentation with Host Teee, Coston, Founder of The Thoughts Of Black Men (TBM) beginning at 9:00 PM Eastern Time. For more info about the event call Teee Coston, who is also the Creative Services and Marketing Chief staff at the Phila. Front Page News online, at (347) 323-6060 or email Coston at thethoughtblk@aol.com.
Teee, Coston, The Thoughts Of Black Men, Founder/
Creative Services and Marketing Chief, Phila. Front
Page News, Newspaper.
As for the State of Black Union 10th anniversary panel, Other participants in this year’s forum included—Arlene Holt Baker, Karen Bass, Peter Harvey, Van Jones, Erica Williams, Emilie Townes, and Marc Morial, Rev. Jesse Jackson.
