College & Independent Schools
Performing Arts
Performing Arts:
New York Times Columnist & Pulitzer Prize-Winner
Maureen Dowd, winner of the 1999 Pulitzer Prize for distinguished commentary and author of three New York Times best sellers, became an Op-Ed columnist in 1995. In August 2014, she also became a writer for The Times Magazine.
Filmmaker & Former CEO, the Black Family Channel
Raised by a single mom on the West Side of Chicago, Townsend transcended his environment to become an actor, writer, director, comedian, producer and ultimately, the President and CEO of the Black Family Channel.
One-Man Jazz Show
St. Louis Missouri native, saxophonist and playwright, Jeff started the band the Jeff Robinson Trio in 1995 as a bridge between music and theatre. Jeff’s one-man show about jazz legend Charlie “Bird” Parker entitled “Live Bird” has appeared in NYC.
Noted Activist & Actor
Known for his role on M*A*S*H, Mike Farrell is dedicated to protecting human rights. A spokesperson for CONCERN/America, he speaks about overlooked topics as arms control, veterans’ rights, prison reform and more.
Storyteller, Author & Family Entertainer
Called “the Mark Twain of contemporary children’s music” by Entertainment Weekly, Bill Harley is one of the best storytellers by bringing commonality and humanity through comic songs and confessional spoken works.
Award-Winning Musical
The award-winning musical “Witness Uganda” documents the true story of Griffin Matthews, a black American who is battling to find his place in a world full of injustice and inhumanity.
Award-Winning Journalist & Commentator
Named "the best interviewer in the business" by Sports Illustrated, Roy Firestone is the former host of ESPN's Up Close Prime Time. Firestone is recognized for his gifts as a journalist, commentator and performer.
New York Times Best-Selling Author & Musician
McBride uses music and writing to share powerful stories such as The Color of Water, The Good Lord Bird and Miracle at St. Anna, which was adapted by Spike Lee.