tavis talks newsletter q2 2011

QUARTERLY NEWSLETTER

TAVISTALKS.COMENLIGHTEN. ENCOURAGE. EMPOWER.

http://www.tavistalks.com

TAVISTALKS.COMQUARTERLY NEWSLETTER

ENLIGHTEN. ENCOURAGE. EMPOWER.

This is quite an exciting time for all of us! This past quarter was filled with many successes and leads into a very promising third quarter, with opportunities of new partnerships and monumental events on the horizon. In this issue, it is my goal to better familiarize you with the work that we do in all of our entities, as well as formally introduce you to the structure in which they all exist. The Smiley Group, Inc. (TSG) is a communications corporation established in support of human rights and related empowerment issues. TSG serves as the holding company for the various Smiley enterprises of broadcast and publishing, the speaker circuit, events and the Internet. Our organizations have a simple and common purpose: to Enlighten, Encourage and Empower. We constantly evolve each organization to better meet our community’s needs through informative and inspiring media.

2011 has proven to be a very productive year. Along with the launch of my newest book, FAIL UP: 20 Lessons on Building Success from Failure, and the extremely positive feedback received from our America I AM Exhibit in Washington DC, I also wrapped up my PBS Tour, where I hosted

conversations in different cities. I thoroughly enjoyed traveling and meeting with folks from all over the country! In case you missed the tour, click here to review some of the highlights from the various stops along the way.

In October 2010, I had the distinguished pleasure of traveling to China with The Committee of 100 Leadership Delegation for distinguished journalists. After interacting with the people, engaging in their customs and learning their history, I felt compelled to bring my staff so they could revel in the experience as well. So, on May 26, 2011, along with some members of my staff and my dear brother Dr. Cornel West, we left for the beautiful land of China.. While the initial purpose of the trip was to tape my PBS show, I offered my staff a unique opportunity to tour the cities of Beijing and Shanghai so they too, would return as impacted as I was. During the course of our trip, we visited the Great Wall, Imperial Palace and many other wonderful landmarks. We also had the opportunity to celebrate Dr. West’s 58th birthday while in Shanghai.

Letter from Tavis


http://tavissmileyfailup.com

http://www.tavistalks.com/tavis-smiley-changing-world-one-conversation-time

Letter from Tavis [continued]

I hope you enjoy the photos from the staff. Our trip was truly transforming and I believe my staff would agree with the sentiment that it fell right in place with our desire to leave legacies and live purposeful existences. The special is scheduled to air from July 11, 2011, through July 15, 2011, on my nightly talk show on PBS.

The theme for this year has been the celebration of my milestone achievements in broadcasting. It’s hard to believe, but November 6, 2011, marks the actual 20th anniversary of my career in broadcasting! From my humble beginnings in Indiana to being recognized as a TIME 100 Most Influential, my career has been focused on enlightening, encouraging and empowering audiences worldwide with an array of thought-provoking and stimulating content. I am extremely excited to announce my 20th Year Celebration, a televised event to take place on Friday, October 28, 2011, in which all proceeds from the event will benefit my nonprofit, The Tavis Smiley Foundation. Stay tuned for future announcements once all of the details are finalized and please feel free to share this information amongst your family and friends.



The stars continue to align and shine on Tavis Smiley! We kicked off the second quarter of our eighth season by continuing to challenge our viewers with our slogan of “EXPECT MORE!”

And more is exactly what you can expect from our program.

Legendary talk-show host Larry King stopped by to sit in the host seat to interview me on the topic of achieving success through failure. Twenty years in the broadcasting industry comes full circle the night someone with over 50 years in the business interviews you on YOUR program regarding your new book, FAIL UP: 20 Lessons on Building Success from Failure. King appeared for two back-to-back nights of revealing conversation.

Then we took the show on the road to New York City and the country of China.

In New York, we sat down with some noted guests, including New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg, former CBS News anchor Katie Couric, philanthropist George Soros and filmmaker Harvey Weinstein. Our show was mentioned in several media outlets: The New York Times, New York Post, PEOPLE.com, CBS, ABC News and MSNBC.

Across the Pacific in China, we filmed “TAVIS SMILEY REPORTS” which will air for five nights, beginning July 11.

And of course, we’ve kept the beat going with our recent musical guests: Bootsy Collins, k.d. lang, Barry Manilow and Lenny Kravitz.

Thank you for your continued support of Tavis Smiley on PBS. Keep the Faith!


http://www.tavissmileyfailup.com



Rewind...I truly enjoyed touring cities across the country. My primary goal for the tour was to engage in thought-provoking dialogue with my friends. After visiting six cities, I felt the love and positive energy from the people I love. In a few cities, some of my dear friends, such as Aretha Franklin, Thomas “Hitman” Hearns and comedian Paul Mooney, showed up to support me. If you missed it, Paul did a mini-comedy skit during the Q&A that was hilarious! Thank you for the wonderful conversation and allowing me the opportunity to share my thoughts with you. If you missed the tour, please visit my Web site and check out the photos from the events.

Looking ahead...I love the summer months — there are so many exciting events to attend. From music concerts to family reunions, you can always find the right place to escape. This summer, I will be attending several events, including the Essence Music Festival, 50th Anniversary of the Progressive National Baptist Convention and of course the Centennial celebration of my grand fraternity Kappa Alpha Psi in my home state of Indiana. I’m looking forward to hearing some great music and meeting some fabulous people!

In October, I will be celebrating my 20th year in broadcasting! Time surely flies when you’re doing what you love! Please stay tuned for upcoming announcements at tavissmiley20.com for detailed information. So get ready and stay tuned!

After completing a fantastic run in Washington DC, America I AM: The African American Imprint is now open in St. Louis through September 25. The exhibit is truly amazing and celebrates nearly 500 years of African American contributions to America. America I AM presents pivotal moments in courage and creativity as well as celebrates the undeniable imprint of African Americans in the United States. For more information, please visit AmericaIAM.org.

Where’s Tavis?


http://www.americaiam.org



As we reach the midpoint of 2011, The Tavis Smiley Show continues to bring listeners the latest and hottest news, stories and entertainment each week. We kicked off this spring with music icon Aretha Franklin and political activist Angela Davis, who headlined our second annual Women’s History Month

program. Broadcasting legend Phil Donahue made a return to radio to take over The Tavis Smiley Show for a week back in May. Then, for the first time in his 20 years in broadcasting, Tavis sat down with singer/songwriter Barry Manilow to talk about the release of the entertainer’s first album in 10 years.

Other highlights on the program this spring included: coverage of Japan’s 9.0 earthquake; Osama Bin Laden’s death; Anthony Weiner’s political scandal; Starbucks CEO Howard Schultz; CBS News correspondent Jeff Greenfield and actor Harry Belafonte.

In the fall, with the 2012 presidential elections a year away, you can expect The Tavis Smiley Show to stay on top of what’s

happening in the world of politics and how it will affect everyday Americans. To check your local listings and for broadcast times, go to www.tavissmileyradio.com.

Until then, thanks for listening and as always...keep the faith!

“The Tavis Smiley Show” from PRI




Smiley & West has been on the move. We moved into the Houston market, where we are now heard each Saturday on KUHF 88.7 FM. While on the move for my Fail Up! book tour, Dr. West and I recorded a special program from New York City. We also celebrated our journey to China with a one-hour radio special, which featured: New York Times Shanghai bureau chief David Barboza and American-born media mogul Andrew Ballen, both of whom

provided unique insights into life, culture and politics in China; the dean of Beijing’s top high school taking both of us to task for America’s foreign policy toward China; the origin of the term “Gung Ho,” which means “working together in harmony”; highlights from the day as we danced on the Great Wall to “One Nation Under A Groove”; and migrant schoolchildren near Shanghai singing “Happy Birthday” to Dr. West. For more information on Smiley & West, visit www.smileyandwest.com.

Watch CNN’s Piers Morgan Tonight July 20 for a special Smiley & West announcement. You don’t want to miss it. We could be coming to your hometown!

“Smiley & West” from PRI


http://www.smileyandwest.com



This past second quarter, social media has been the driving force behind most of what goes on in Smiley’s world. Social media has not only kept viewers, listeners and followers in the know with events around the country, but has also helped disseminate commentary on today’s most pressing issues. Highlights include inspirational anecdotes from the latest SmileyBook’s release #FAILUP and top tweets. We also reveled in the joy of surpassing the 100,000 follower mark on Twitter. Please follow me on Twitter by searching - @TavisSmiley, or “like” my page on Facebook: http://facebook.com/tavistalks.com.

Social Media


http://facebook.com/tavistalks.com.

http://facebook.com/tavistalks.com.



High Quality Speakers Bureau is moving in positive new directions and we owe it all to you! As we get back into the swing of things and recoup from our enlightening trip to China, we still have plenty to focus on...

National Diversity Awareness MonthDuring the month of October, many people gather across the country to celebrate National Diversity Awareness Month. National Diversity Awareness Month is a time to celebrate and embrace who we are, despite our differences. No matter what race, religion, gender, sexual orientation, age, nationality or disability, it is also a time to reflect and learn about different cultures and ideologies. Most of our prominent speakers have spoken about diversity issues domestically and abroad. With National Diversity Awareness Month quickly approaching, HQSB is looking forward to representing our powerhouse speakers at events across the nation.

Election Season is Here With the advent of the 2012 election season, we are bringing our highly respected Smiley & West radio conversations from the airwaves to the stage. We will be visiting college campuses across the country to conduct informed dialogue and candid conversation about the issues that matter most to those who matter most: we the people! From race and class to war and our nation’s anemic economy, Dr. West and I are prepared to take any and all to task who are implicated in the issues. The 2012 presidential race is shaping up to be one of the most politically charged campaigns ever. You do not want to miss our Smiley & West conversations as we bring thought-provoking, intelligent and stimulating dialogue to your community. Contact HQSB today for booking information.

High Quality Speakers Bureau




REWIND & FAST FORWARD

We are pleased to announce that through our Viewer Support Page, we have been able to make history here at Tavis Smiley on PBS! Your generous support has touched me in ways I cannot put into words. With your continued support, we can continue to — in this most multicultural and multiethnic America — compel people to reexamine the assumptions they hold as well as expand their inventory of ideas.

Rewind...

As ambassadors for our viewing audience, we took a bite out of the Big Apple with an amazing lineup of history-making guests the entire last week of April. We began the week with an exclusive interview with Katie Couric as she spoke candidly about her exit from CBS News. We finished the week off with inspiring conversations from Robert Battle, the Artistic Director at Alvin Ailey Dance Theater, and Dr. Khalil Gibran Muhammad, Director at the Schomburg Center.

Understanding that there are emerging markets that have a tangible impact on our culture, your targeted financial support enabled us to take the team to China and explore its landscape on a variety of levels. Our experience was captured on video and is scheduled to air the week of July 11.

Fast forward...

We look forward to you being a part of the amazing lineup of topical issues that affect all Americans. Your generous support via our Viewer Support Page ensures the quality and primetime placement of these specials, which affect the lives of everyday Americans.

Major Gifts and Strategic Partnerships




New youth council set to meet delegates at Leadership Institute

When the Leadership Institute program opens this summer, youth attendees will not only have a chance to hear from great speakers; they also will meet the 12 teen leaders working behind the scenes to make the conference happen.

In March, the Foundation tapped a new team of young people who will serve for the next three years on its National Youth Advisory Council. The students, all alumni of the Leadership Institute, were selected based on their outstanding leadership skills, academic achievement and community

service. As council members, they serve as special ambassadors for the Foundation and help organize and implement the Leadership Institute.

The members are: Amber Murray (Hamilton High School, Los Angeles, CA); Maxine Dior Chapman (South Hills High School, Covina, CA); McKenzie Conner (Towson High School, Randallstown, MD); Camille Fonseca (Crossroads High School, Santa Monica, CA); EJ Fortenberry (Crossroads High School, Santa Monica, CA); and Lamar Howard (Long Beach Poly High, Long Beach, CA). The other members are: Samaiya Hoyle (Long Beach Poly High, Long Beach, CA); George Kilpatrick III (DeWitt High School, DeWitt, NY); Anthony Perry (St. Francis High School, Louisville, KY); Sadiyah Sabree (The Agnes Irwin School, Philadelphia, PA); Kaya Savannah (Houston Academy for International Studies, Houston, TX); and Ronald Taylor (Holy Trinity Diocesan, Hempstead, NY).

In 2003 when the Tavis Smiley Foundation organized its first National Leadership Summit, 24 high school and college students were tapped to form what was called the National Leadership Summit Planning Committee.

Tavis Smiley Foundation




With support from the Foundation staff, the students implemented a summit that brought together 600 young people for a five-day conference. Now eight years later, 64 college and high school students have served on what is now known as the National Youth Advisory Council. With key elements originally created by the young leaders still in existence, we are still committed to a youth-led, adult-supported model of leadership development.

The objective was to identify young leaders from the Foundation’s existing pool of alumni and provide them with an expanded opportunity to increase their leadership skills in the areas of critical thinking, project planning, advanced advocacy and service.

Identifying young leaders is one thing, but giving them an opportunity to demonstrate and test their skills as leaders really allows us to fulfill our mission.

Not surprising, the young people who have served on this council have done great work, but what is even more exciting is that the experience they gain gives them a framework for other opportunities as a result of being on the council.

For example, past member Ginene Lewis graduated Phi Beta Kappa from Spelman College. She is now in her third year of law school and serves on the board of directors of the YWCA in Philadelphia. Elicia Azali, a graduate of The Ohio State University, serves on the Foundation’s board of directors. Nicholas Hall, a student at Vanderbilt and past president of the 2008 council, was selected as one of 12 students to participate in the Institute for Responsible Citizenship (IRC). It is considered one of the most prestigious and competitive programs for African American males.

Of the 64 students who have participated as council members, all have graduated high school and 39 have now completed college; and 12 are in their junior or senior year of college. On the current council, three of the 12 members will enter college in the fall.

Tavis Smiley Foundation [continued]




In April and May, I worked tirelessly on a whirlwind 10-city book tour to promote Fail Up: 20 Lessons on Building Success from Failure. To kick off the tour, on my PBS show Larry King “turned the tables” and interviewed me in two special episodes. I also appeared on many national and local media shows for two weeks during the tour, which included 35 radio show appearances, including NPR’s All Things Considered and Tell Me More programs. I also appeared on The Wendy Williams Show, Morning Joe, The Today Show, The Joy Behar Show, Newsroom with Kyra Phillips, and dozens of other TV programs. Sixty-five Web sites featured Fail Up and the tour, while 15 traditional print publications, including the New York Post and the Philadelphia Inquirer, did so as well. In each tour city, I discussed the powerful stories of Fail Up with live audiences across the nation.

After making it to number one on the New York Times best-seller list in the Advice and How To category, Peace From Broken Pieces, by Iyanla Vanzant, remained on the list for four additional weeks. Iyanla has remained in demand following her two-part reunion on Oprah, including speaking engagements around the country, joining Tom Joyner’s Fantastic Voyage Cruise, becoming a regular host on Hay House radio, and joining Michael Baisden on air to talk about relationships. She recently spoke to Michel Martin about what the end of Oprah’s program signifies.

SmileyBooks is thrilled to be part of the 2011 Essence Music Festival’s Empowerment Series. I’ll be moderating the first-ever SmileyBooks author panel on American I AM: The African America Imprint, which includes authors Tom Burrell, Chef Jeff Henderson, Iyanla Vanzant and Dr. Cornel West. Iyanla will also be part of Friday’s empowerment lineup to present Coming Home: The Message You Are Waiting to Hear.

Chef Jeff Henderson is poised and ready to promote the America I AM Collection, including the America I AM: Pass It Down Cookbook, at the latest stop on the America I AM: The African American Imprint exhibit in St. Louis. Artwork featuring our book covers will be on tabletop display in the gift shop, highlighting the America I AM collection that allows museum goers to take the exhibit home.

On August 10, my dear friend Dr. Cornel West and I will interview living legend Dr. Gardner C. Taylor, cofounder of the Progressive National Baptist Convention with Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Dr. Taylor’s new book, Faith in the Fire, celebrates his legacy of contribution, service and activism. This occasion will mark the 50th anniversary of the Progressive National Baptist Convention.

SmileyBooks


tavis talks newsletter q2 2011

Documents

pbs tour

monumental events

various stops

smiley group

distinguished journalists

cities of beijing

unique opportunity

past quarter