Thursday, July 30, 2009

Prof Boyce Watkins on Obama’s “Teachable Moment”

For immediate release

Email info@BoyceWatkins.com for interviews or call (901) 413-0203

Syracuse Prof Dr Boyce Watkins Breaks Down Obama’s “Teachable Moment”

(Syracuse, NY) - Dr Boyce Watkins, a prominent Black professor at Syracuse University, offered tips to President Obama on how to truly make the case of Harvard Professor Henry Louis Gates into a “teachable moment.” Professor Gates was arrested last week by Sgt. James Crowley of the Cambridge Police Department, opening a firestorm of controversy. Dr Watkins argues that the powerful reaction was due to the fact that America continues to fear a free exchange of ideas when it comes to racial inequality.

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Wednesday, July 29, 2009

Prof Boyce Watkins to speak with Montel Williams Thursday – 7/30/09

Dr Boyce Watkins of Syracuse University will appear on the Montel Williams Show on Air America radio Thursday, July 30, 2009.  For more information, please visit www.BoyceWatkins.com.

Tuesday, July 28, 2009

Rick Sanchez of CNN Talks to Dr Boyce Watkins

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Syracuse University Professor Dr Boyce Watkins speaks with CNN’s Rick Sanchez about Obama’s Mistake.

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Monday, July 27, 2009

Dr Boyce Watkins on The Montel Williams Show

Dr Boyce Watkins of Syracuse University spoke with TV and radio show host Montel Williams on Monday.  The conversation focused on race and racial profiling.  They are going to also speak on financial advice in the future.

Thursday, July 23, 2009

Dr. Boyce Watkins Says Obama Should be Careful About Quickly Backing Harvard Prof

For immediate release, please contact S. Prewitt at (901) 413-0203 for interviews or email info@BoyceWatkins.com

Syracuse Professor Boyce Watkins says Obama Made Mistake in Quickly Supporting Harvard Professor Henry Louis Gates

Syracuse, NY – Dr. Boyce Watkins, a prominent Professor at Syracuse University, has stated that President Barack Obama made a huge mistake by quickly jumping to support Harvard Professor Henry Louis Gates after the professor’s recent arrest by the Cambridge Police Department.

Dr. Gates was arrested on his front porch after an altercation with Sergeant James Crowley, who was called when Gates was seen breaking into his own home. After showing ID, Crowley continued to question Gates, which led to Gates asking for the officer’s badge number. After an alleged verbal confrontation with Crowley, Dr. Gates was arrested.

During a nationally-televised press conference, President Obama went on to state that the Cambridge Police Department “acted stupidly” by arresting Gates. Professor Watkins felt that this was a mistake.

“The public has analyzed this case without knowing all the facts, and the president should be the last person to jump on such a bandwagon,” says Watkins, who was the only African American in the world to earn a PhD in Finance during the year 2002. “This was not your typical racial profiling case, and a good man’s career may be destroyed because of it.”

As part of his work with AOL and NBC, Dr. Watkins spent the week speaking with both Black scholars and police officers to get a more balanced perspective of the situation. During this research, Watkins found that the officer may not have violated procedure.

“Many people don’t realize that there is a reason that Gates had to be questioned, even after proving that he lived in the home,” says Watkins. “He could have been an estranged husband breaking in to hurt his wife. This happens all the time and the officer had an obligation to investigate the situation thoroughly.”

Watkins goes on to state that disorderly conduct typically relates to any disturbance to the public, and that if Gates was irate on the front porch, such actions might have given reasonable cause for his arrest.

“The goal is not to condemn Professor Gates or Sergeant Crowley right off the bat,” says Dr. Watkins. “We should hear from witnesses and get further evidence before we assume that the officer was behaving abnormally. The fact that Sergeant Crowley’s union has publicly supported him so strongly might be an indication that he didn’t do anything wrong. They could have remained silent.”

Dr. Watkins, who fights regularly for the rights of African American men, says that he is not attempting to undermine Henry Louis Gates. Instead, he claims that he is fighting for fairness for everyone, and waiting to hear all the facts before passing judgment.

Dr. Boyce Watkins is a Finance Professor at Syracuse University and author of “What if George Bush were a Black Man?” He is also an analyst for NBC and AOL Black Voices. For more information, please visit www.BoyceWatkins.com.

Friday, July 10, 2009

Black News: Lalah Hathaway Works with Fenorris Pearson at Black Charity Event

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Global Consumer Innovation, Inc sponsors workshops for young songwriters and singers at Alonzo Mourning and Dwayne Wade Summer Groove

Austin, TX – On Saturday July 11th Global Consumer Innovation, INC (www.globalconsumerinnovation.com) is partnering with Lalah Hathaway, daughter of Donny Hathaway to put together a young songwriters and singers workshop as part of the Alonzo Mourning and Dwayne Wade Summer Groove.  The event will engage, motivate, and excite musically gifted youth by introducing, exposing, and involving them with successful recording artists while she rehearses for her main stage performance for the Summer Groove.  The youth will be able to engage Lalah Hathaway in conversation and better understand song writing, vocal training, and the preparation that goes into a performance.   

Global Consumer Innovation Creative Director Jonathan Clark says “The Summer Groove is an integral part of the Miami community and we are excited to sponsor this special event where youth will learn that the music industry is about more than fame and glamour, but preparation and integrity.”  Clark was the former Vice President of Marketing for Motown records before joining Global Consumer Innovation.

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