Black History Month Speaker Series:

You are cordially invited to attend the Fisher College of Business Black M.B.A Association’s Black History Month Speaker Series: Black Leaders and Their Impact on Society. The series will take place every Wednesday beginning February 4, 2009 – February 25, 2009. Lunch will be provided.

The Fisher College of Business Black M.B.A. Association Black History Month Speaker Series: Black Leaders and Their Impact on Society
*Lunch will be provided at each event, to attend, please send RSVP to Stanley Upton at upton.68@osu.edu *For additional information, questions, or concerns contact Jay Johnson at Johnson.3343@osu.edu
Speaker: Gene Smith, Athletic Director, The Ohio State University
Date: Wednesday February 4, 2009
Location: Gerlach Hall Room 265 Time: 12:30 p.m. - 1:30 p.m.
Gene Smith is in his fourth year as director of athletics at The Ohio State University. On March 17, 2008, Gordon Gee, president of the Ohio State University, promoted Smith to university assistant vice president/director of athletics. Smith is the eighth person to hold the athletics director position at Ohio State and the first African-American to do so. Smith previously served as director of athletics at Arizona State, Iowa State, and Eastern Michigan Universities, and is entering his 24th year in the role.
Speaker: J.Tracy Robinson, Executive Director, The Ohio Commission on Fatherhood Date: Wednesday February 11, 2009 Location: Gerlach Hall Room 265 Time: 12:30 p.m. - 1:30 p.m.
An Ohio native, J. Tracy Robinson earned his Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science from Oberlin College and Masters Degree in Education from OSU. Mr. Robinson was appointed as the Executive Director of the Ohio Commission on Fatherhood. Mr. Robinson brings more than 20 years of government service to the Commission. He is an experienced grant writer and has served as a project manager and grant reviewer for several federal agencies Tracy Robinson is an encourager, motivator and a source of inspiration for many.
Speaker: Richard Dent, Senior VP & Chief Operating Officer, Limited Brands Date: Wednesday February 18, 2009 Location: Gerlach Hall Room 265 Time: 12:30 p.m. - 1:30 p.m.
Mr. Dent is currently the Vice President and CFO of Victoria Secret – PINK a Division of LimitedBrands Inc. He received both a bachelor’s and master’s degree in business administration from Florida A&M University and has more than 15 years of corporate finance experience with Fortune 500 companies. Outside of work Richard pursues his passion of working with, preparing and equipping young men for higher education and life in general through involvement in a variety of civic, educational and religious organizations that share that mission.
Speaker: Dr. Boyce Watkins, Syracuse University Date: Wednesday February 25, 2009 Location: Fawcett Center Time: 5:45 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.
Dr. Boyce D. Watkins "The People's Scholar", is one of the leading social commentators, black speakers and high action freedom fighters in America. He advocates for education, economic empowerment and social justice. As a black financial speaker, he has given financial advice to millions of African-Americans through his series "Get your paper straight" and "Black Love, Black Money, Black Relationships" as well as over 150 national television, radio and print interviews in the last 2 years alone. He has fearlessly endured firestorms of controversy for his willingness to honestly and intelligently address racial inequality in university hiring/tenure practices, NCAA athletics, the prison system, "mainstream media" and the educational system.