
Reviews Write New Review
Location
Booking Fee
Fee: $##,###Get Pricing
Virtual Fee: $##,###Get Pricing
[email protected]
Tavis Smiley is an American talk show host, author, and motivational speaker. Smiley was born in Gulfport, Mississippi, and grew up in Bunker Hill, Indiana. After attending Indiana University, he worked during the late 1980s as an aide to Tom Bradley, the mayor of Los Angeles.
Smiley became a radio commentator in 1991 and, starting in 1996, he hosted the talk show BET Talk (later renamed BET Tonight) on Black Entertainment Television (BET). After Smiley sold an exclusive interview of Sara Jane Olson to ABC News in 2001, BET declined to renew his contract that year. Smiley then began hosting "The Tavis Smiley Show" on National Public Radio and hosted "Tavis Smiley" on the Public Broadcasting Service on weekdays and "The Tavis Smiley Show" on Public Radio International from 2004 until 2017. In addition to his broadcasting career, Smiley has authored 19 books, including the New York Times Bestseller "What I Know for Sure: My Story of Growing Up in America." His literary work also includes "The Rich and the Rest of Us: A Poverty Manifesto," co-authored with Dr. Cornel West.
From 2010 to 2013, Smiley and Cornel West worked together to host their own radio talk show, "Smiley & West". They were featured together interviewing musician Bill Withers in the 2009 documentary film "Still Bill". He was the new host of "Tavis Talks" on BlogTalkRadio's Tavis Smiley Network. Smiley is also actively involved in advocacy and philanthropy through the Tavis Smiley Foundation, which aims to empower Black youth and is currently running a significant campaign to address poverty in America. His achievements in media and activism have earned him numerous honors, including a Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame and recognition from TIME magazine as one of “The World’s 100 Most Influential People.”
Videos
Speech Topics
Advocacy: How to Fight for What You Believe and Make a Difference
A Five-Part Plan to Succeed in College and the Workplace
Diversity and Multiculturalism: A National Perspective
African Americans in the 21st Century
News
Related Speakers View all
![]() |
Judge Greg Mathis
Judge, TV Personality, Youth Advocate
|
![]() |
Van Jones
Emmy Award-Winning TV Host, Political Strategist & P...
|
![]() |
Kevin Powell
Writer, Humanitarian, President of BK Nation
|
![]() |
Montel Williams
Emmy Award-Winning Talk Show Host; Multiple Sclerosi...
|
![]() |
Hill Harper
Award-Winning Actor, Bestselling Author, Entrepreneur
|
![]() |
Donna Brazile
Veteran Political Strategist, Best-Selling Author & ...
|
![]() |
Stephen A. Smith
Sports Journalist, Analyst & Talk Show Host Known fo...
|
![]() |
Julianne Malveaux
Economist, Author & Political Commentator; President...
|
![]() |
Juan Williams
Senior Political Analyst at Fox News, Emmy Award-win...
|
|
Dr. Marc Lamont Hill
Presidential Professor at CUNY Graduate Center, BET ...
|
|
Dr. Cornel West
Philosopher, Professor, Political Activist & Author ...
|
![]() |
Dr. Bernice King
Civil Rights Leader, Minister, Attorney, Author & Da...
|
![]() |
Caitlyn Jenner
TV Personality & Olympic Gold Medalist; Co-Host of "...
|
|
Ed Gordon
Emmy Award-Winning Broadcaster; President of Ed Gord...
|
![]() |
Iyanla Vanzant
New York Times Best-Selling Author, Spiritual Life C...
|
![]() |
Reverend Al Sharpton
Baptist Minister, Political, Civil Rights & Social J...
|
![]() |
Roland Martin
Award-Winning Journalist & Media Personality, Author...
|
![]() |
Bobby Seale
Political Activist & Co-Founder of the Black Panther...
|
![]() |
Amanda Seales
Comedian, Actress, Writer, Producer, Social Justice ...
|
![]() |
Spike Lee
Academy Award-Winning Director, Film Producer, Author
|