2015 LUMINARY AWARD THE OF CONVERSATION FOR LUMINARY AWARD WINNER TAVIS SMILEY, IT’S ALL ABOUT LISTENING AND HOMEWORK BY TED JOHNSON
avis Smiley doesn’t calls his in- is,” Smiley says. “In a great conversation, Final Year is being produced as a television terviews “interviews.” He pre- the host is not leading. Te host is follow- series special by J.J. Abrams in partnership fers the word “conversations.” ing. ArtIf you are listening to them they will with Warner Brothers. It’s an important distinction. lead you and guide you to where the next Born in Gulfport, Miss., Smiley grew up T“A conversation is more fu i d . A c o n - question is.” in Bunker Hill, Indiana, as one of 10 chil- versation is more organic,” he says. “I start As one of broadcasting’s best conver- dren to Joyce Marie Roberts and his step- with a comment or a question that opens sationalists for decades, Smiley is being father Emory Garnell Smiley. He worked the guest up. From that point on, it is recognized tonight with the Los Angeles as an aide to Los Angeles Mayor Tom about generous listening.” Press Club’s Luminary Award for career Bradley and, in the early 1990s, launched That approach is obvious to anyone achievement. In receiving the honor at a career in radio as a commentator. He who has ever heard or seen him in action, the National Arts and Entertainment Jour- gained nationwide recognition later in the and he’s in action a lot. Smiley hosts “Tavis nalism Awards, he joins past recipients decade as the host of “BET Tonight” on Smiley” on PBS and “The Tavis Smiley including Janice Min, Joe Morgenstern, BET, followed by a show on NPR. Show” on Public Radio International. Nancy O’Dell and Kenneth Turan. Over the years Smiley has emerged as Yet listening is only part of the process. Te conversations are only part of what an important voice on American culture, Much of what happens on air is possible Smiley does. He is also the author of 16 particularly on the experience of African because of what happens of air, long be- books, including the recent My Journey Americans. Last month, he wrote a com- fore the conversation begins. with Maya, about his 28-year friendship mentary for USA Today in which he asked “If I have listened and done my home- with Maya Angelou. His best seller The whether the recent University of Mis- work, I will know what my next question Real Story of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s souri protests over race-related incidents
In 2014, Smiley moderated “Behind the Score: The Art of the Film Composer,” sponsored by the Academy of Motion PIcture Arts and Did the young Tavis Smiley imagine a career Sciences: music producer Gustavo Santaolalla, music director Gustavo Dudamel, Academy President Cheryl Boone Isaacs, and flm that encompassed writing books and danc- composer John Williams. ing with stars?
LA 12 PC LA 13 PC 2015 LUMINARY AWARD on campus are the makings of a “new civil and it absolutely has momentum.” asked him, “Who do you want who you rights movement.” Te list of political, entertainment and haven’t gotten? When Smiley mentioned He wrote, “At Mizzou, we saw black men society fgures Smiley has interviewed runs Mandela, King answered, “Oh, I have defying the scourge-on-society label, and the gamut—recent guests have included Ian talked to Mandela a number of times.” taking control with the most American of McKellen, Twyla Tharp, Bernie Sanders Ten King asked, “Who do you think all strategies—protest.” and Ann Coulter. Still, there is one dream are some of the good ones you got?” Smiley “Movements are very, very rare in our guest he wishes he had sat down with for a answered, “Fidel Castro.” King never inter- society,” Smiley says. “It takes a lot to build conversation. Tat is Nelson Mandela, al- viewed him. a movement. But every movement starts though the two met several times. “I said, ‘Yes, someone Larry King did with a moment that builds momentum, Smiley’s good friend Larry King once not get,’” Smiley says of the friendly rivalry.
Over the years, Smiley’s guests have included people from all walks of public life: musicians, politicians, It’s what we use to keep LAWEEKLY.COM on page one for online searches on local comedians, and news, music, movies, arts, restaurants, nightlife and events throughout Los Angeles. actors. Clockwise, from top left: Prince, President Obama, We can now offer this same service to your company to help Mel Brooks, Hillary Clinton, Sean Penn, customers to find you online and get them in your doors. and James Taylor. Request a FREE digital audit of your business today by contacting your LA Weekly representative or call 310-574-7303 for more information.
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Social media, Smiley He’s embraced social media— albeit not to the extent that others believes, “has the capacity have—and sees strong benefits in the move to digital platforms. Social to be used to both comfort media, he believes, “has the capac- ity to be used to both comfort the the aficted and afict the aficted and afict the comfortable, and in that regard I feel some solace.” comfortable, and in that The drawback, he says, is that “with so much noise out there,” there regard I feel some solace.” can be times when “everything gets drowned out.” He refers to Linda Ronstadt’s term for it: “Ear pollu- Congratulations to all of tonight’s winners. Smiley was too young to ever meet Smiley, with Jay Leno and Larry King. tion.” Martin Luther King Jr., but the civil Last year, Smiley received a star It is an honor to be a sponsor and bring the Awards to Hollywood. rights leader’s role in society lives on for preparation and research they do for the on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. His sib- him, and not just in the book. Smiley re- conversations he has with guests. lings and parents were all there, along with gards King’s legacy as embodying three “It does begin and end with a good staf,” King and Jay Leno. Peter Gårdström things: “Justice for all. Service to others. he says. “I remember saying in my brief remarks And a love that liberates people.” Tere’s another thing that Smiley says that day that it all started with making a Partner BDO, Gothenburg “My whole work and witness has been helped prepare him for his job, but it came commitment to make my mama proud,” about trying to make the world safe for that decades before he ever stood in front of a Smiley says. It wasn’t to save the world, or legacy,” he says. camera. He cites participating in the high host a talk show or write a best selling book. Like many successful hosts, Smiley is school speech and debate teams, “because I Instead, he adds, “It was just about making quick to credit those on his team who don’t am always thinking about the other side of my mama proud. In many ways, that is the appear on camera. Ho recognizes all the the equation.” way it is today.”
Indiana University congratulates Luminary Award winner Tavis Smiley! Tavis – A great broadcaster. We’re proud of our alumnus and A great man. grateful for all he does for IU:
Member of the IU Advisory Council for His Friend, Diversity Larry King Supporter of SPEA diversity initiatives Provider of the Tavis Smiley Scholarships
SCHOOL OF OFFICE OF THE VICE PRESIDENT FOR PUBLIC AND DIVERSITY, EQUITY & ENVIRONMENTAL AFFAIRS MULTICULTURAL AFFAIRS Indiana University Indiana University
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