Tavis Smiley

From his celebrated conversations with world figures to his work to inspire the next generation of leaders, as a broadcaster, author, advocate and philanthropist, Tavis Smiley continues to be an outstanding voice for change.

From his celebrated conversations with world figures to his work to inspire the next generation of leaders, Tavis Smiley — broadcaster, author, publisher, advocate, and philanthropist — has emerged as an outstanding voice for change. Smiley is currently the host of the late-night television talk show Tavis Smiley on PBS as well as The Tavis Smiley Show and Smiley & West from Public Radio International (PRI).

In addition to his radio and television work, Smiley has written 16 books. His memoir, What I Know for Sure: My Story of Growing Up in America, became a New York Times best seller, and the book he edited, Covenant with Black America, became the first nonfiction book by a Black-owned publisher to reach #1 on the New York Times best-sellers list.

In his book FAIL UP: 20 Lessons on Building Success from Failure, now available in trade paperback, Smiley steps from behind the curtain of success to recount 20 instances of perceived “failures” that were, in fact, lessons that shaped the principles and practices he employs today. Readers will find a kinship in Smiley’s humanness that inspires, informs, and reminds us of our inherent ability to achieve and grow despite life’s inevitable setbacks.

In his latest New York Times best seller, The Rich and the Rest of Us: A Poverty Manifesto, Smiley and his co-author Dr. Cornel West take on the “p” word — poverty. In this game-changing book, they challenge all Americans to re-examine their assumptions about poverty in America — what it really is and how to eradicate it.

Smiley is the presenter and creative force behind AMERICA I AM: The African American Imprint. This unprecedented traveling museum exhibition, which debuted in January 2009, touring the country four years now, celebrating the extraordinary impact of African American contributions to our nation and the world, as told through rare artifacts, memorabilia, and multimedia.

Smiley’s most gratifying accomplishments are rooted in his passion to inspire the next generation of leaders. The nonprofit Tavis Smiley Foundation was established to provide leadership training and development for youth. Since its inception, more than 6,000 young people have participated in the foundation’s Youth to Leaders training workshops and conferences.

His communications company, The Smiley Group, Inc., is dedicated to supporting human rights and related empowerment issues and serves as the holding company for various enterprises encompassing broadcast and print media, lectures, symposiums, book publishing, and the Internet.

Smiley’s achievements have earned him numerous awards and honorary doctorate degrees, including one from his alma mater, Indiana University. In 2009, Indiana University named the atrium of its School of Public and Environmental Affairs (SPEA) building “The Tavis Smiley Atrium.” Smiley is also the recipient of the prestigious Du Bois Medal from Harvard University and the 2009 Interdependence Day Prize from Demos in Istanbul, Turkey. TIME magazine honored Smiley in 2009 as one of “The World’s 100 Most Influential People.” This year, 2013, Tavis Smiley celebrates 10 years on PBS.

People gather to march in the annual parade down MLK Boulevard

Smiley: Capitalism has always been built on the back of the poor — both black and white

Somehow, as King implored 50 years ago, we must awaken the sleeping conscience of America.

Smiley: Capitalism has always been built on the back of the poor — both black and white
Democratic National Committee Vice Chair Donna Brazile

Smiley: The chattering around Donna Brazile's new book is 'much ado about nothing'

Smiley: The chattering around Donna Brazile's new book is 'much ado about nothing'
A protester shouts slogans at a protest against white nationalism in New York City

Smiley: We need to get straight the story about race and America

Smiley: We need to get straight the story about race and America
Tavis Smiley, center stands backstage with Gustavo Dudamel and Tony Bennett.

Smiley: The highlight of my summer is the music I see on the road

Smiley: The highlight of my summer is the music I see on the road
Tablets of Hydrocodone at a pharmacy in Portsmouth, Ohio

Smiley: Why is it we can only respond to a drug crisis when it is affecting the white and the wealthy?

Smiley: Why is it we can only respond to a drug crisis when it is affecting the white and the wealthy?
A mural of Alton Sterling is seen as people gather during a vigil

Smiley: Why do we need data to tell us what black people have been saying for years?

Tavis Smiley has lived the grievances of black Americans and speaks about it from a place of truth, but for many White people the story of black disrespect is unbelievable — until there's data proving it.

Smiley: Why do we need data to tell us what black people have been saying for years?
Comey

Smiley: Democrats now have a 'soft spot' for Comey? Are you kidding?

At the risk of sounding disinterested or unconcerned about yet another bizarre and brazen act by President Donald Trump, which raises myriad questions about his motivations, particularly as it relates to the investigation about the role Russia may have played in our presidential elections, good riddance to James Comey. Trump’s flagrant and foul dismissal, notwithstanding, Comey should have taken a seat, several seats, a while ago.

Smiley: Democrats now have a 'soft spot' for Comey? Are you kidding?
Protesters demonstrate near Trump Tower against President Donald Trump in the Manhattan borough of New York City, May 4, 2017.

Smiley: Our nation is confronting hard questions that require heart answers

Tavis Smiley writes that we can all help our country confront hard questions if we just open up our hearts.

Smiley: Our nation is confronting hard questions that require heart answers
A boy stands on a beach at sunset in Mar Azul, Argentina, February 20, 2017.

Smiley: Are you living a life in service to a just cause — or just because?

As I sat waiting to speak at Al Jarreau's funeral, I thought of a conversation we once had where he shared with me his view about the "thumbprint on our throat."

Smiley: Are you living a life in service to a just cause — or just because?
Flanked by Blackstone CEO Stephen Schwarzman, left, and General Motors CEO Mary Barra, US President Donald Trump holds a strategy and policy forum

Smiley: Why we must never let misery have the last word

American is fast becoming American't.

Smiley: Why we must never let misery have the last word
Cecile McLorin Salvant

Heading into 2017, remember music trumps melancholy. Pardon the pun.

Tavis Smiley spent New Year's Eve at church — part of a long tradition of "Watch Night" that began in 1862, as slaves waited for news of the Emancipation Proclamation. It was a comforting way to spend the holiday, and likewise, he's found good vibes for the new year in his playlist.

Heading into 2017, remember music trumps melancholy. Pardon the pun.
Tavis Smiley and Fidel Castro shake hands.

The time Tavis Smiley stood up to Fidel Castro — over a book

When Tavis Smiley went to Cuba in the late 1990s, he found himself in the middle of an awkward exchange with dictator Fidel Castro.

The time Tavis Smiley stood up to Fidel Castro — over a book
Trump no racism

Could America enslave black people again? The question is haunting me

When I hear Donald Trump suggest that he wants to “make America great again,” it always triggers the same three questions in my head.

Could America enslave black people again? The question is haunting me
Tavis Smiley on Baton Rouge

Tavis Smiley: One way to try to prevent another Dallas or Baton Rouge

How many disaffected black men have to self-radicalize before we take their complaints seriously? That's what the host of talk shows on PRI and PBS is asking.

Tavis Smiley: One way to try to prevent another Dallas or Baton Rouge
Tavis Smiley and Muhammad Ali speak during a TV interview.

Muhammad Ali helped Tavis Smiley reconnect with his own father

An incident as a pre-teen ruined Tavis Smiley's relationship with his father well into adulthood. Muhammad Ali helped restore their relationship.

Muhammad Ali helped Tavis Smiley reconnect with his own father