Marc’s guest this hour is Tavis Smiley who hosts signature national talk shows on both public television and radio. A former aide to the late Los Angeles Mayor Tom Bradley, Smiley made history in 2002 when he became the first African-American to host his own show on National Public Radio.
Recognized by Time and Newsweek as one of America’s most promising leaders, Tavis Smiley is in Baltimore to host an All-American Presidential Forum for PBS, tonight at Morgan State University. Tonight’s forum will allow Republican Presidential candidates to address issues of concern for people of color. Tonight’s debate, however, has not been without controversy. The leading contenders for the Republican nomination will not be in attendanc citing scheduling conflicts.
After declining an invitation to debate on Univision, earlier this month, critics view this as evidence of the Republican party’s lack of concern for minority issues. We’ll talk about this issue and others with public radio and television host Tavis Smiley.
-Marcus
