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Black Alumni Association to Host Event Featuring Michael Eric Dyson, Ph.D.

11/04/2021

#BlackatSLU: Celebrating Black Excellence will focus on celebrating the accomplishments of our Black alumni with special recognition to young Black alumni that are excelling in their careers and the community. The virtual event will be Thursday, Nov. 11, at 6 p.m.

Black excellence is the celebration of success in the Black community and most importantly – a mindset. This mindset is backed by actions that is consistently displayed by leadership through perseverance. Saint Louis University has many Black pioneers, including the late Jonathan C. Smith, Ph.D. Smith made contributions to Saint Louis University; not only in the academic and institutional area, but in the lives of many Black alumni. 

The keynote speaker for this event will be Michael Eric Dyson, Ph.D., a renowned professor, writer, preacher, lecturer and media personality. As a teacher who earned a Ph.D. in Religion from Princeton University, Dyson has taught at universities including Brown, UNC Chapel Hill, Columbia, DePaul, the University of Pennsylvania, and Georgetown University. He is presently Distinguished University Professor of African American and Diaspora Studies, College of Arts & Science, and Distinguished University Professor of Ethics and Society, The Divinity School, and Centennial Professor at Vanderbilt University.

Michael Eric Dyson, Ph.D.
Michael Eric Dyson, Ph.D. Photo submitted.

Dyson is the author of more than 20 books, including seven New York Times bestsellers, and is a political analyst for MSNBC. He has won two NAACP Image Awards and an American Book Award, and last year was awarded the Langston Hughes Medal.

Dyson has been a preacher and sometime pastor for more than 40 years. Dyson has lectured across the country, and around the world. He also has served for the last 30 years as a media commentator and occasional host.

Special guests for the event:

Although this event is complimentary, it is part of a fundraising initiative. 

Deadline to RSVP for the event is Tuesday, Nov. 9. Registrants will receive the Zoom link on Wednesday, Nov. 10.