Motivational speaker highlights SUSLA black history events

Southern University, Shreveport celebrated Black History Month during its annual Spring Convocation January 30 at the Health and Physical Education Complex. The convocation featured motivational speaker Keith L. Brown.

Known as the "Motivator of the Millennium," Keith L. Brown was named one of the Top 50 Speakers and Experts in Education Today by Insight Publishing and One of the TOP 10 Speakers with International Speakers Bureau. He is a professional speaker and trainer whose keynotes and workshops enhance the SUPER - VISION of the masses while reducing the supervision to all under the sound of his vibrant voice. He has been featured in national publications such as the Los Angeles Times, Chicago Sun Times, New York Newsday, and was a featured speaker for the city of Atlanta's relief event for "Hurricane Katrina Survivors." The Congressional Black Caucus Foundation" and Astra Zeneca have engaged him to speak.

Once labeled special ed, at-risk, and a potential menace to society, Brown dedicated his life to overcoming those obstacles. Today he is a member of the National Speakers Association, Who's Who in Professional Speaking, Who's Who among America's Teachers, Phi Delta Kappa Fraternity in Education and Outstanding Young Men of America. The keynotes, workshops, and seminars that Brown delivers are guaranteed to foster team building, morale, effective communication, professionalism and success.

He is the author of CHITLINS (Creative Helpful, Intuitive, Thoughts, Lifting Individuals, Naturally Seeking), co-author of Conversations on Success with Jack Canfield (Co-Founder, Chicken Soup for the Soul), John Christensen (Fish Tales), and 14 of the most phenomenal individuals on the planet

Student Support Services held their 8th Annual Black History Month Debate February 20. Each year Student Support Services (SSS) sponsors a "Friendly" debate during Black History Month to provide a challenge, information, inspiration and a continual recognition of Black History. This year's topic "It has been 45 Years since Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. 'I Have a Dream speech", Are we closer?' drew a crowd of more than 300 people.

The Alpha Team consisted of Craig Lee, Captain; Joe Shyne, Jennifer Green, Roosevelt 'Pastor Ro' Wright III; Willie Bradford, Calvin Lester, and Rodney McFarland Jr. argued that the black community was mostly at fault while the Omega Team consisting of Loretta Speed, Captain; Stanley Blackshire, Fredrick Jackson, Clifford Collins, Major Brock, Terrance Bagley, Dwayne Taylor, and Lloyd Thompson argued that the black community was not mostly at fault.

Five adjudicators Rosalyn Holt, division chair, behavioral sciences; Regina Winn, budget officer; Michael Pero, SGA president; Krystle Woods, Miss Freshman; and Eddie Norris, advertising account executive-KTBS 3; picked the Alpha Team as the winner.

Stories and photographs of some of "Shreveport's Firsts In Black History" were on display at the Southern University Museum of Art in celebration of Black History Month. The exhibit ended March 29.

These pioneers are credited with paving the way to a more diverse Shreveport in areas of government, education, civil activism, politics, etc. They included The Honorable Mayor Cedric Glover; Shreveport Police Chief Henry Whitehorn; former Shreveport Fire Chief Kelvin Cochran; former Superintendent of Caddo Parish Schools Ollie Tyler; Patricia Dyas, first female firefighter to be promoted to the rank of captain as a fire inspector and first female to head a division in the 171 year history of the Shreveport Fire Department; Gregory Tarver, first state Senator from Caddo Parish since reconstruction and current president of the oldest Black funeral home in Shreveport; Green L. Pearrie, first black to integrate Louisiana State Trade School; Willie Burton first black to write a comprehensive history of African Americans in the Shreveport-Bossier area and first black to serve concurrently as president of both Caddo Parish and Louisiana School Board Association; and Mamie Love Wallace, civil rights activist.