Forum Led by Motivational Speaker Curtis Pitts Highlights Black History Month at UCM

By Jeff Murphy, February 20, 2019

WARRENSBURG, MO – In observance of Black History Month, the University of Central Missouri will host a public forum Thursday, Feb. 28 facilitated by nationally-known motivational speaker and community activist Curtis Pitts. Open to all members of the campus community, the forum takes place from 4 to 6 p.m. in the ballroom of the Elliott Student Union, and will address the topic “For Me by Me: Building Sustainable Communities in the African American Community.” A reception follows at The Center, located on the third floor of the Union, above the ballroom.

While on campus, Pitts also will meet with African American males on campus in a small group setting at The Center to discuss leadership and decision making. His topic will be “Choices.”

A sought-after speaker, Pitts has presented at more than 900 national, regional and state conferences and local events. Since 2017 he has served as president of The One Topeka Family Crime Prevention Coalition and chair of the Central Regional Conference, International Fatherhood Conference. He also has been involved in leadership activities that include chairing Topeka’s Human Relations Commission and the Small and Minority/DBE Council, Go Topeka and Greater Topeka Chamber of Commerce.

Pitts was selected by Coretta Scott King, the widow of slain civil rights leader, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., as one of the “Top 10 Up and Coming  African American Leaders” in the United States. She also invited him to enroll at the prestigious “Scholars Institute” at the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Center for Nonviolent Social Change in Atlanta, Georgia.

To learn more about his visit, please contact Lover Chancler, assistant professor in child and family development and director of the Multicultural and Inclusivity Center, at 660-543-8173 or chancler@ucmo.edu.