The first American ever to simultaneously host signature talk shows on both public television and public radio, Smiley also offers political commentary twice weekly on the Tom Joyner Morning Show. He also created the Tavis Smiley Foundation, whose mission is to enlighten, encourage and empower black youth...

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Dr. Cornel West has been described as one of America’s most vital and eloquent intellectuals. A noted philosopher, he has taken his struggle for racial equity to the national spotlight, providing a gifted and stimulating voice to the ongoing debate.

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Henry Louis Gates, Jr. is the Alphonse Fletcher University Professor and the Director of the W.E.B. Du Bois Institute for African and African American Research at Harvard University. Acclaimed as an eloquent commentator and formidable intellectual force on multicultural and African American issues...

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Jackie Joyner-Kersee is considered one of the greatest athletes of all time. Sports Illustrated for Women voted Jackie "Female Athlete of the 20th Century," and ESPN named her one of the 50 Greatest Athletes. She received these honors by becoming the first woman to score 7,000 points and win back-to-back gold medals...

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Working for the empowerment of others. In addition to her books, Vanzant has established the Inner Visions Institute for Spiritual Development in Silver Spring, Maryland, where she heads a training program for life coaches...

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Lisa Ling is currently Special Correspondent for “The Oprah Winfrey Show” and Contributor to National Geographic Channel and the Oxygen Network. From stories about gang rape in the Congo to bride burning in India...

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