Kimberly Bostic attended her very first Steward Speakers series when she was 8.
Now, as an adult, Bostic is chair of the board of directors for Steward Speakers, now in its 32nd year.
Steward Speakers kicks off the 2018-19 lecture series at 7:30 p.m. Oct. 16 at Pike Performing Arts Center with the panel discussion, “The State of Black America,” featuring some of the most prominent thought leaders of the day. Civil rights leader Rev. Al Sharpton, Georgetown University sociology professor Dr. Michael Eric Dyson, author and former editor-in-chief and editorial director of Essence magazine Susan Taylor and journalist Roland Martin discuss education, police and community relations, faith and civic participation, President and CEO Matthew Steward said.
“This is what the core of what their discussion will be centered around, but, obviously, we’ll be taking questions on a number of different areas as well,”
President and CEO
Matthew Steward
“This is what the core of what their discussion will be centered around, but, obviously, we’ll be taking questions on a number of different areas as well,” Steward said. “I think it’s going to be a very powerful conversation for Indianapolis. We’re already nearly 80 percent sold. Folks definitely want to get out and get in engaged. Even though these are national speakers, most of what is going on nationally is happening here.”
Steward Speakers is known for bringing exceptional people to Indianapolis. Bostic remembers hearing Mae C. Jemison, the first African-American woman to travel into space, basketball great Julius Erving and Susan Taylor during previous lectures. She came away from each lecture inspired and hopes others, especially Black youth, feel a similar connection.
“To see people who look like me, who come from areas I have come from and have persevered over obstacles, the hope [is] that one day you can do it too,” Bostic said.
Not only will those who attend gain inspiration from the panelists, but each speaker also will participate in workshops or other events in the community, Steward said. Dyson will be the keynote speaker at the 18th annual Black Male State Conference; Taylor will speak to students at Charles A. Tindley Accelerated School; Sharpton will meet with 100 Black faith leaders, and Martin will speak with journalism students at IUPUI and tape a portion of the panel discussion for his show, Roland Martin Unfiltered.
IUPUI Chancellor Nasser Paydar was introduced to the Steward Speakers series about five years ago. He’s rarely missed one since.
“I think they challenge everyone to think of the issues of today, of issues going on in our community,” Paydar said. “That’s why I keep going to them.”
Contact Editor Oseye Boyd at 317-762-7850. Follow her on Twitter @oseye_boyd.
“The State of Black of America”
The 2018-19 Steward Speakers season begins with a panel discussion, “The State of Black America,” at 7:30 p.m. Oct. 16 at Pike Performing Arts Center. Panelists include:
• Rev. Al Sharpton — civil rights leader, founder and president of National Action Network (NAN) and host of MSNBC’s “Politics Nation.”
• Dr. Michael Eric Dyson — renowned orator, lecturer, author and Georgetown University sociology professor.
• Susan Taylor— entrepreneur, author, former editor-in-chief and editorial director for Essence magazine
• Roland Martin— Journalist, author, political pundit and host of Roland Martin Unfiltered.
VIP tickets for the 2018-19 season are $250. General admission is $40. Group and student tickets are also available by request. Tickets can be purchased at stewardspeakers.org/tickets.
Susan Taylor
