Tavis Smiley
Tavis Smiley (born September 13, 1964) is an American talk show host, author, and political commentator specializing in discussions of race, poverty, and public policy.[1] Raised in Indiana after early years in Mississippi, he earned a bachelor's degree from Indiana University in 1986 before entering local politics as an aide to officials in Bloomington and Los Angeles.[2] Smiley transitioned to media in the 1990s, becoming a fixture on BET News and later hosting a PBS late-night program from 2004 to 2017 that featured interviews with political leaders, activists, and cultural figures.[1] He also served as a radio commentator on the Tom Joyner Morning Show for over a decade and has authored or co-authored books such as The Covenant with Black America (2006), alongside launching initiatives like the State of the Black Union conference series to address economic disparities in Black communities.[3] Smiley's career includes notable recognitions, such as multiple NAACP Image Awards for his PBS work in the late 1990s and early 2000s, honorary doctorates, and a 2024 Presidential Lifetime Achievement Award for humanitarian efforts.[4] However, in December 2017, PBS suspended and ultimately terminated distribution of his show following an internal probe that uncovered multiple credible allegations of sexual misconduct, including inappropriate relationships with subordinates, verbal abuse, and physical touching, violating the network's morality clause.[5][6] Smiley denied the claims of harassment, attributing his firing to racial bias and lack of due process, but a 2020 jury ruled in PBS's favor, ordering him to pay $1.5 million in damages.[7][8] Since then, he has pursued independent media ventures, including radio hosting attempts.[9]Early Life and Background
Childhood and Family Influences
Tavis Smiley was born on September 13, 1964, in Gulfport, Mississippi, to Joyce Marie Roberts, a single teenage mother who became pregnant at age 18.[10] On his second birthday, September 13, 1966, his mother married Emory G. Smiley, a U.S. Air Force noncommissioned officer and master sergeant, who became his stepfather and adopted him along with his biological siblings.[10][11][1] The family relocated to the Kokomo, Indiana, area near Grissom Air Force Base following Emory Smiley's military transfer, where they lived in a trailer home that housed 13 people, including Tavis as the third of ten children, his seven brothers and two sisters, a grandmother, and four orphaned cousins whose mother—Joyce Smiley's sister—had been murdered.[12][13][14] This large, extended household reflected economic constraints typical of a military family in a predominantly white rural Indiana community.[13] Joyce Smiley, a devout Pentecostal minister, instilled strict religious discipline in the household, limiting exposure to unapproved television shows and movies while emphasizing faith and moral upbringing.[1][10] Emory Smiley's military background contributed to a structured, tough-love environment focused on discipline and resilience amid the challenges of poverty and family expansion.[13] These influences shaped Smiley's early values, fostering a strong work ethic and community-oriented perspective rooted in familial responsibility and spiritual conviction.[15][16]Formal Education and Early Ambitions
Smiley graduated from Maconaquah High School in Kokomo, Indiana, where he demonstrated early leadership by serving as class president and being voted "Most Likely to Succeed," reflecting his budding interest in politics.[1][12] He enrolled at Indiana University Bloomington around 1982, majoring in public affairs through the School of Public and Environmental Affairs, and participated actively in student government and the debate team during his time there.[17][18] As a student, Smiley interned for the mayor of Bloomington, gaining initial exposure to local governance, and later extended this political engagement by interning during his junior year for Tom Bradley, the first African American mayor of Los Angeles.[1][12] Smiley departed Indiana University in 1988 without completing his degree to accept a full-time aide position with Mayor Bradley in Los Angeles, prioritizing practical political experience over immediate academic completion.[19] He returned to finish the remaining credits and received his bachelor's degree in public affairs in 2003.[20][19] His early ambitions centered on a career in politics, as shown by his high school leadership roles, university involvements, and post-college work as an administrative aide to Bradley until 1990, followed by an unsuccessful run for Los Angeles City Council in 1991 targeting racial and community issues.[1][12] These pursuits underscored Smiley's focus on public service and advocacy for African American concerns before transitioning to broadcasting.[11]Broadcasting Career
Initial Roles in Radio and BET
Smiley entered radio broadcasting after his unsuccessful 1991 bid for a seat on the Los Angeles City Council, in which he placed fourth among fourteen candidates at age 26. He launched The Smiley Report, a one-minute daily commentary segment on political and social issues, airing on KGFJ-AM, a Los Angeles station oriented toward black audiences; Smiley personally recruited sponsors to fund the program.[21][22][23] The popularity of The Smiley Report facilitated its syndication to other stations and opened doors to additional radio work, including co-hosting a local Los Angeles talk show with Ruben Navarrette Jr. In 1996, Smiley achieved national radio exposure as a political commentator on the syndicated Tom Joyner Morning Show, then the highest-rated morning program in urban adult contemporary radio, where he provided analysis on current events from an African American perspective.[22][21] Concurrently in 1996, Smiley debuted on Black Entertainment Television (BET) as host and executive producer of BET Talk, a nightly public affairs program that was soon renamed BET Tonight with Tavis Smiley; the show featured discussions and interviews with politicians, celebrities, and community leaders on issues affecting black Americans, such as economic policy and civil rights. BET Tonight aired until Smiley's contract ended in 2001, by which point it had established him as a prominent voice in cable television targeting African American viewers.[12][24]BET Tonight Hosting and 2004 Firing
Tavis Smiley hosted the late-night public affairs talk show BET Tonight on Black Entertainment Television (BET) starting in 1996, initially under the name BET Talk before a rebranding.[25][26] The program featured discussions on political, social, and cultural issues pertinent to African American audiences, earning Smiley recognition including an NAACP Image Award for best news series in an earlier year.[25] Smiley's role built on his prior BET reporting, such as a investigative series on the Million Man March that boosted his profile within the network.[1] On March 21, 2001, BET announced it would not renew Smiley's contract for BET Tonight, which he had hosted for five years, citing low ratings as a primary factor despite the show's prior accolades.[25] The decision escalated into immediate termination following public backlash, with BET Chairman Robert L. Johnson pointing to "a lack of mutual business respect" exacerbated by Smiley granting an exclusive interview with Sarah Jane Olson—accused in a 1970s Symbionese Liberation Army bank robbery—to ABC's Primetime Live on March 1, 2001, without first offering it to BET.[27][28] Smiley contested the violation, asserting his contract permitted independent projects as long as they promoted his BET affiliation, and noted he had invested significant personal funds (in the six figures) in securing the Olson interview while BET had declined to air his earlier "think tank" symposiums on Black issues.[27] The firing sparked widespread protests from Smiley's supporters, who viewed it as emblematic of BET's post-2000 shift under new owner Viacom toward entertainment programming at the expense of substantive public affairs content.[1][27] Smiley publicly accused BET of "selling out" to corporate interests, prompting Johnson to defend the move as his independent call and deny Viacom interference, though speculation arose over pressure from Viacom executive Mel Karmazin due to the ABC interview competing with CBS programming.[27][28] Johnson predicted Smiley's future success elsewhere, and the host departed BET in April 2001 amid thousands of viewer complaints, transitioning soon after to NPR commentary.[1][29]NPR Commentary Show and 2004 Departure
Tavis Smiley hosted The Tavis Smiley Show, a daily one-hour newsmagazine program distributed by National Public Radio (NPR), from its launch in January 2002 until its final broadcast on December 16, 2004.[30][31] The program aired on approximately 87 public radio stations and featured interviews with guests, discussions on current events, and Smiley's personal commentaries, such as reflections on political initiatives like the 1994 Republican "Contract with America."[30][32] Throughout its run, the show emphasized topics of interest to diverse audiences, particularly African American communities, aligning with Smiley's broader advocacy focus.[33] Smiley reportedly experienced ongoing frustrations in producing the program, including frequent disputes with NPR executives over its tone, guest selections, and overall direction, which he described as exhausting alongside his other commitments.[34] In November 2004, as contract renewal negotiations approached expiration in January 2005, Smiley announced he would not continue, stating that NPR had "tried hard but fallen short" in efforts to expand its reach to black listeners despite the network's stated commitments to diversity.[35][36][37] He characterized the departure as a deliberate choice to prioritize platforms better suited to his goals, amid what he viewed as NPR's inadequate progress on audience diversification.[38] NPR vice president for communications David Umansky described the decision as a surprise, noting the network's investment in the program.[30] Following the show's end, many stations replaced it with NPR News with Tony Cox, reflecting a shift toward news-focused content.[31] Smiley's exit drew mixed responses from station managers, with some expressing support for his diversity critiques while others questioned the viability of his format.[39]PBS Late-Night Program and 2017 Termination
In January 2004, PBS premiered Tavis Smiley, a weeknight late-night talk show hosted by Tavis Smiley, originating from KCET studios in Hollywood and featuring interviews with newsmakers, authors, entertainers, and experts on social, political, economic, and cultural issues.[40][41] The program, which aired for approximately 13 years across 14 seasons, emphasized discussions relevant to African American communities alongside broader topical content, and received renewals including a two-year extension announced in November 2013.[42] On December 13, 2017, PBS indefinitely suspended distribution of the show pending an internal investigation into allegations of sexual misconduct against Smiley, prompted by reports from subordinates.[43][44] An outside law firm conducted the probe, which uncovered multiple violations of PBS workplace standards, including credible claims of sexual relationships between Smiley and subordinates, some involving coercive elements or inappropriate workplace behavior.[43] Public Radio International (PRI), a co-distributor, terminated its relationship with Smiley two days later.[45] PBS formally ended the show's distribution in December 2017, citing the investigation's findings as the basis for non-renewal.[8] Smiley denied the allegations, asserting they were unsubstantiated and influenced by racial bias against him as a prominent Black host, and sued PBS for wrongful termination and breach of contract in 2018.[8][7] PBS countersued, alleging Smiley violated the morality clauses in his 2015 and 2016 contracts through sexual harassment of female employees and relationships with subordinates.[46] In March 2020, a Washington, D.C., jury ruled in PBS's favor, finding Smiley liable for breaching the clauses and awarding PBS approximately $1.5 million in damages; a subsequent court order in August 2020 increased the total to $2.6 million, including liquidated damages and reimbursements for legal and investigation costs.[8][47][46] Smiley has maintained no admission of guilt and pursued post-termination media ventures without issuing a public apology.[48]Post-Termination Ventures Including KBLA Radio (2021-Present)
In June 2021, Tavis Smiley purchased KBLA Talk 1580 AM, a Los Angeles-based radio station, as part of his efforts to reestablish a broadcasting presence following his 2017 departure from PBS.[48][49] The acquisition positioned KBLA as America's newest progressive radio network and the first Black-owned talk station in Los Angeles, with Smiley emphasizing a focus on providing a platform for Black and progressive perspectives on local and national issues.[48][50] The flagship program, Tavis Smiley, airs weekdays from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. PT and repeats from 9:00 p.m. to 12:00 a.m. PT, featuring interviews with thought leaders, opinion makers, celebrities, authors, and artists, alongside socially conscious commentary.[51][52] The show has been syndicated to other markets, including WVON 1690 AM in Chicago and WURD Radio 900 AM in Philadelphia, expanding its reach beyond Southern California.[52] Episodes are also distributed as podcasts on platforms such as Apple Podcasts and iHeartRadio, where the program has received a 4.9-star rating based on over 80 reviews as of recent data.[53][54] KBLA's programming under Smiley's involvement includes additional shows such as First Things First with Dominique DiPrima, Jesse Jackson Jr., and The DL Hughley Afternoon Show, alongside special events like live town halls.[50] Smiley has continued hosting discussions on topics including Black health, climate justice, and political analysis, with a notable June 18, 2025, panel on the impacts of climate change on Black communities broadcast via C-SPAN.[55] The station promotes digital engagement through its app and social media, where Smiley actively shares content and guest appearances as of October 2025.[56][57] Smiley has framed these ventures as a direct response to his PBS exit, maintaining that he has never harassed anyone and rejecting calls for apology amid prior allegations.[48] No other major broadcasting launches by Smiley are documented in this period, with KBLA serving as the core of his post-2017 media activities.[48]Political Commentary and Advocacy
Critiques of Barack Obama Administration
Tavis Smiley, an initial supporter of Barack Obama's 2008 presidential campaign, developed pointed critiques of the administration's handling of economic disparities affecting African Americans, arguing that the first black presidency failed to translate symbolic progress into substantive gains for black communities. He asserted that black households lost ground economically, with median wealth for black families declining by over 50% between 2005 and 2013 amid the Great Recession's aftermath, exacerbated by higher rates of home foreclosures and persistent double-digit unemployment rates exceeding 16% at peaks in 2010 and 2011.[58][59] Smiley emphasized that universal economic policies, such as the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, provided insufficient targeted relief for structural barriers like discriminatory lending and job market exclusion faced disproportionately by African Americans.[60] A cornerstone of Smiley's advocacy was the 2011 "Poverty Tour," co-organized with Cornel West, which spanned 15 cities from Chicago to Los Angeles starting August 15, 2011, to spotlight the 46 million Americans living in poverty— including over 27% of black individuals in 2010—and press for federal prioritization of anti-poverty measures.[61][59] During the tour, Smiley and West faulted Obama for sidelining poverty in favor of Wall Street bailouts and deficit reduction, claiming the administration rendered the poor "invisible" in national budget debates and capitulated excessively to Republican opposition on job creation initiatives.[62][63] They highlighted Obama's absence from Smiley's annual State of the Black Union forums, interpreting it as reluctance to address race-specific economic pain to avoid perceptions of favoritism.[64] Smiley positioned his commentary as "advocacy journalism" aimed at accountability, rejecting labels of anti-Obama animus and framing critiques around respect for the president's office while urging correction of policy oversights, such as the lack of a dedicated White House conference on poverty despite repeated calls in 2011 and 2012.[65][66] In his 2016 book The Covenant with Black America: Ten Years Later, he revisited the 2006 manifesto co-edited by himself, which outlined ten action areas like affordable housing and criminal justice reform, contending that Obama's tenure saw minimal advancement in these domains despite declining overall black poverty rates from 27.4% in 2011 to 22% in 2016, as broader metrics like wealth inequality and incarceration persisted without race-conscious interventions.[58][59] Critics within black media and academia, including figures like Tom Joyner, accused Smiley of undue harshness that risked undermining Obama during election cycles, yet Smiley maintained that principled dissent—dialed back temporarily in 2012 but resumed post-reelection—served the community's long-term interests over short-term political loyalty.[60][67] In a January 2017 open letter to Obama upon leaving office, Smiley balanced appreciation for milestones like the Affordable Care Act's expansion—benefiting uninsured black rates dropping from 20% in 2010 to 11% by 2016—with calls to rectify the administration's hesitance on explicit racial equity agendas.[68][59]Broader Advocacy for African American Issues
Smiley founded and hosted the annual State of the Black Union forum starting in 2000, convening African American leaders, scholars, and activists to deliberate on pressing community challenges including economic disparities, education gaps, criminal justice reform, and health access.[69] The event, held in cities like Atlanta and New Orleans, emphasized self-determination and policy agendas tailored to black advancement, drawing thousands of participants and influencing public discourse until its discontinuation in 2010 to prioritize other media projects.[70] In 2006, Smiley edited The Covenant with Black America, a New York Times bestseller compiling essays from experts on ten priority domains: personal responsibility, health and wellness, criminal justice, education, economic viability, housing, environment, faith, media representation, and political empowerment.[71] The volume proposed actionable strategies, such as community-led health initiatives and financial literacy programs, rooted in data showing persistent racial wealth gaps—for instance, median black household wealth at $6,314 versus $88,651 for whites in 2004 Census figures—and called for collective accountability beyond government reliance.[72] Updated editions in 2016 and 2024 incorporated post-recession analyses, highlighting stagnant black poverty rates around 21% per U.S. Census Bureau data and advocating digital equity and voter mobilization amid ongoing disparities.[73] Through the Tavis Smiley Foundation, he launched a four-year, $3 million anti-poverty campaign in 2022, funding grants for urban programs targeting job training, financial education, and youth mentorship in underserved black communities.[74] Complementing this, Smiley co-led national poverty tours with scholar Cornel West starting in 2011, visiting over 30 cities to spotlight structural barriers like unemployment rates twice the national average for African Americans (10.2% versus 5.1% in 2011 Bureau of Labor Statistics data) and foster grassroots dialogues on wealth-building.[75] These efforts underscore Smiley's emphasis on moral imperatives for black economic self-reliance, critiquing dependency models while promoting entrepreneurship and family stability as causal drivers of uplift.[76]Engagements with Progressive and Conservative Viewpoints
Smiley has frequently aligned with progressive causes, particularly those addressing economic inequality and racial justice for African Americans, through initiatives like the State of the Black Union forums, which from 2000 to 2010 featured speakers such as Jesse Jackson and Al Sharpton advocating for policy reforms on poverty, education, and healthcare.[70] In collaboration with Cornel West, he co-authored books such as The Rich and the Rest of Us (2012), critiquing wealth concentration and neoliberal policies, and organized a 2011-2012 national "Poverty Tour" to highlight grassroots progressive solutions to income disparity.[77] These efforts positioned Smiley as a vocal proponent of left-leaning agendas, including demands for a "Covenant with Black America" emphasizing government intervention in social welfare.[78] Despite this progressive orientation, Smiley has engaged conservative viewpoints through moderated discussions and interviews, fostering dialogue on national issues. In 2007, he hosted the "All-American Presidential Forums" on PBS, providing a platform for Republican presidential candidates to address African American audiences on topics like economic policy and foreign affairs, emphasizing substantive exchange over partisan attacks.[79] At the 2009 State of the Black Union, he invited Michael Steele, then-Republican National Committee Chairman, to speak on conservative approaches to black empowerment, illustrating Smiley's inclusion of GOP perspectives amid predominantly liberal panels.[70] On his PBS and NPR programs, Smiley incorporated conservative guests into broader ideological debates, such as a 2011 C-SPAN panel for "America's Next Chapter" featuring David Frum, a former George W. Bush speechwriter, and David Brody, chief political correspondent for the conservative Christian Broadcasting Network, to discuss American exceptionalism, government role, and Tea Party critiques of fiscal policy.[80] These engagements often highlighted tensions, as seen in Smiley's show segments critiquing conservative tax proposals as favoring the wealthy, yet allowing proponents like policy analysts to defend them.[81] Smiley's approach reflects a commitment to multi-perspective discourse, even as his commentary frequently challenged conservative stances on issues like corporate deregulation.[80]Professional Disputes and Controversies
Tennessee State University Naming Dispute (2006-2008)
In 2004, Tavis Smiley pledged to donate $1 million personally to Texas Southern University's communications program and to raise an additional $1 million from other sources, prompting the university to name its School of Communications the Tavis Smiley School of Communications and to associate his name with the KTSU radio facility.[82][83] By May 2008, however, Smiley had contributed only $50,000 toward his personal pledge, leading university officials to question the fulfillment of the commitment amid a broader review of naming policies.[82] The dispute intensified after John Rudley became TSU president in early 2008, with communication between parties breaking down over the unraised funds and unmet expectations; under a new university policy requiring $10 million for naming a college—with half paid upfront—the arrangement no longer aligned with institutional standards.[84][85] On October 23, 2009, TSU's board of regents voted to remove Smiley's name, citing the failure to honor the original partnership terms; Rudley informed Smiley in a letter that the university would "treat the partnership as being at an end" to enable recognition for other donors.[85][86] Smiley responded that he still intended to complete the $1 million personal donation and described TSU's action as rejecting a significant gift during economic hardship, though he did not publicly detail plans for the remaining funds or fundraising efforts at the time.[87] The removal highlighted tensions over donor accountability in higher education naming rights, with TSU prioritizing verifiable contributions over initial pledges.[88] No litigation followed, and the school reverted to its prior designation without further public reconciliation statements from either party.[85]PBS Contract Breach and Morality Clause Litigation (2017-2024)
In December 2017, PBS indefinitely suspended distribution of Tavis Smiley, the late-night talk show produced by Smiley's company TS Media, following an internal investigation by an outside law firm that uncovered "multiple and credible allegations" of sexual misconduct by Smiley toward subordinates.[89][7] The investigation, prompted by employee complaints, found evidence of sexual relationships with multiple female staff members, retaliatory actions against those who rejected advances, and inappropriate workplace conduct including lewd comments and demands for personal favors.[47] PBS cited these findings as violating the "morals clause" in Smiley's production contracts for 2015, 2016, and 2017, which prohibited conduct that could damage the network's reputation or bring it into public disrepute.[90][91] Smiley denied the allegations, characterizing the suspension as racially motivated and lacking due process, and filed a breach-of-contract lawsuit against PBS in D.C. Superior Court in February 2018 on behalf of TS Media.[7] He alleged PBS wrongfully terminated the show without evidence, violated contract terms by failing to provide notice or opportunity to cure, and used the morals clause as a pretext amid broader industry scrutiny of sexual misconduct claims during the #MeToo movement.[92] PBS countersued shortly thereafter, asserting that Smiley's actions—including undisclosed consensual relationships with subordinates and public denials of a prior 2007 settlement with a female employee over similar complaints—constituted material breaches of the morals clause and related accounting provisions requiring payment of backend fees to the network.[93][90] The countersuit sought damages for lost distribution fees and reputational harm, emphasizing that Smiley's conduct exposed PBS to legal and public risks.[91] The case proceeded to trial in early 2020, where witnesses testified to Smiley's workplace affairs, coercive behavior, and efforts to conceal relationships, supporting PBS's invocation of the morals clause.[94] On March 4, 2020, a Washington, D.C., jury ruled in PBS's favor, finding that Smiley had breached the morals clause through his conduct and awarded the network approximately $1.486 million in damages for unpaid fees and contractual violations.[8][91] The jury rejected Smiley's claims that PBS had breached the contract by suspending the show without justification or that racial bias influenced the decision.[47][7] Post-trial motions extended the proceedings; in August 2020, D.C. Superior Court Judge Shana Frost Matini upheld the jury verdict and ordered Smiley to pay PBS $2.6 million total, incorporating the jury award plus additional amounts for breached accounting obligations and prejudgment interest, while denying Smiley's requests for a new trial or to vacate the ruling.[46][95] No further appeals or resolutions were publicly reported through 2024, effectively concluding the litigation in PBS's favor and affirming the enforceability of the morals clause based on the presented evidence of Smiley's conduct.[94]Sexual Misconduct Allegations and Investigations
In December 2017, PBS suspended distribution of Tavis Smiley following an internal investigation that uncovered multiple credible allegations of sexual misconduct against the host, including sexual relationships with subordinates, inappropriate comments, unwanted touching, and verbal abuse.[5][6] The network's probe involved interviews with witnesses who described a pattern of behavior creating a hostile work environment, with PBS stating the conduct violated its standards.[44] Smiley, who hosted the late-night program since 2004, was permanently terminated shortly thereafter.[8] Smiley denied engaging in harassment, asserting that any prior relationships with subordinates were consensual and predated his PBS affiliation, and he rejected claims of coercion, groping, or exposure.[48][96] In response, he initiated a breach-of-contract lawsuit against PBS in January 2018, alleging racial bias motivated the termination amid the #MeToo movement, while PBS countersued, seeking repayment of approximately $1.9 million in production funding and citing violations of a morality clause.[8][6] Additional witness accounts emerged in court filings, detailing lewd language and advances toward subordinates, with six women ultimately accusing Smiley of harassment.[46][97] Legal proceedings culminated in a February 2020 trial where Smiley acknowledged consensual sexual relationships but labeled harassment claims as fabrications.[98] A jury found he violated the morality clause, awarding PBS $1.5 million in damages on March 4, 2020; a subsequent ruling increased the total to $2.6 million, including fees.[8][99][46] In September 2024, a federal judge denied Smiley's motion to dismiss PBS's ongoing suit, upholding allegations of workplace sexual relationships as grounds for termination.[100] No criminal charges resulted from the matter.Awards, Honors, and Intellectual Contributions
Key Awards Including 2023-2024 Recognitions
In 2023, Smiley received the Freedom of Speech Award from TALKERS magazine, recognized as the highest honor in the talk radio industry for his contributions to broadcasting and advocacy.[101] In 2024, he was awarded the Presidential Lifetime Achievement Award by President Joseph R. Biden Jr., honoring his lifelong commitment to humanitarian work, social justice, and public service.[102] Earlier key recognitions include multiple NAACP Image Awards: for best news, talk, or information series from 1997 to 1999; and an additional Image Award in 2000 for his television work.[103] In 2000, Smiley earned a Black Emmy Award and the Congressional Black Caucus Harold Washington Award for his media and advocacy efforts.[1] He received the NAACP President's Award in 2001 for advancing civil rights through journalism.[1] In 2007, Indiana University Bloomington presented him with the President's Medal for Excellence during commencement, acknowledging his public influence and educational impact.[104] Other notable honors encompass the Mickey Leland Humanitarian Award from the National Urban League and the 2016 Sankofa Freedom Award from the Tulsa City-County Library for his philanthropy and freedom-focused advocacy.[105][106]Honorary Degrees and Public Accolades
Smiley has received multiple honorary degrees from academic institutions recognizing his contributions to public discourse and advocacy. In 2004, Indiana University conferred upon him a Doctor of Humane Letters during its Kokomo campus commencement.[104] Haverford College awarded him a Doctor of Letters in 2006 at its commencement exercises.[107] Rutgers University granted a Doctor of Humane Letters in 2007.[108] Connecticut College presented an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters in May 2008 following his commencement address.[109] That same year, California State University, Dominguez Hills bestowed a Doctor of Humane Letters.[110] In May 2009, Langston University awarded him an honorary doctorate after he delivered its commencement speech.[111] Among public accolades, Smiley was selected for TIME magazine's 2009 list of the 100 Most Influential People, praised by Charlie Rose for his role in fostering national conversations on race and poverty. He received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame on April 24, 2014, in the television category, acknowledging his broadcasting career.[112] In 2024, Smiley was honored with the Presidential Lifetime Achievement Award for his humanitarian efforts, including founding the Tavis Smiley Foundation to support youth leadership and education programs.[113]Bibliography and Authored Works
Tavis Smiley has authored or co-authored over 20 non-fiction books since 1993, often focusing on African American experiences, social justice, economic disparity, and leadership.[114] His works include memoirs, collaborative biographies, and edited anthologies addressing systemic issues in the United States.[115] Several have achieved commercial success, including New York Times bestseller status.[116] A landmark publication is The Covenant with Black America (February 22, 2006), edited by Smiley, which compiled essays on health, education, criminal justice, and economic opportunity for Black communities and became the longest-running #1 non-fiction bestseller by an African American author or editor in New York Times history.[71][116] Follow-up editions include The Covenant with Black America: Ten Years Later (2016) and Covenant with Black America – Twenty Years Later (August 27, 2024).[117] Other key authored or co-authored titles encompass:- What I Know for Sure: My Story of Growing Up in America (2013), a memoir detailing his Indiana upbringing and rise in media.[118]
- Fail Up: 20 Lessons on Building Success from Failure (2011), offering strategies drawn from interviews with figures like Jay-Z and Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti.[115]
- The Rich and the Rest of Us: A Poverty Manifesto (2012, with Cornel West), critiquing post-recession inequality and proposing policy solutions.[119]
- Death of a King: The Real Story of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s Final Year (September 16, 2014, with David Ritz), examining King's challenges from 1967 to 1968 based on archival research and interviews.[116]
- My Journey with Maya (April 7, 2015, with David Ritz), recounting Smiley's professional relationship with Maya Angelou.[116]
- Before You Judge Me: The Triumph and Tragedy of Michael Jackson's Last Days (June 7, 2016, with David Ritz), analyzing Jackson's final months through associates' accounts.[120]