Juan Williams

Using stories of historical leaders like Martin Luther King and Thurgood Marshall, and weaving in personal encounters with important contemporary decision-makers whom he has interviewed during his career, Williams explores American leadership in this keynote address.

In this inspirational talk he will also look at the leaders that shaped the historical Brown vs. Board of Education of Topeka Kansas Case. Drawing on his extensive experience as a journalist and social commentator, Williams also explores the topic of the changing face of leadership in America. As campus populations become more diverse - racially, culturally and economically - the face of leadership changes. What are some of the issues that these changing demographics will create? How will this impact the work of career development and college recruitment professionals?

The new nation within a nation is black and brown America. The new face of race relations is black, white and brown.

Get out all of your crayons - America's future is a supernova of racial and ethnic swirls. A third of the nation is already Black, Hispanic and Asian. Add the immigrants rushing into the nation and America becomes a mix of My Big Fat Greek Wedding, spicy salsa on Latin food, and soul music.

Black and brown Americans together are a quarter of the US population and a powerful coalition. Black and brown Americans apart are the new American dream deferred.

Williams asserts that too many African Americans are in crisis - caught in a twisted hip-hop culture, dropping out of school, ending up in jail, and having babies when they are not ready to be parents.

He makes the case that while there is still racism, it is way past time for African Americans to open their eyes to the "culture of failure" that exists within their community. He applauds proud African American traditional values - self-help, strong families, and belief in God - and explores other ways that communities can do to support the efforts of parents, churches and schools.

America's people are ever changing in terms of politics, economics, race and immigration. How do these changes impact American identity and America's future? How does it impact the workforce and the marketplace for American business? Change can challenge leadership or leadership can master change.