Case Western Reserve University’s Office of Multicultural Affairs (OMA) will present Washington, D.C.-based award-winning journalist, social activist and political commentator Jeff Johnson as keynote speaker for its 25th annual Unity Banquet and Scholarship Benefit.
The event, which recognizes the academic achievements of underrepresented students and graduating seniors at Case Western Reserve by awarding more than $10,000 in scholarships through the OMA Scholarship Fund each spring, is Friday, April 10, at 7 p.m. in the Tinkham Veale University Center.
The banquet will also feature a special musical appearance by songwriter Javier Colon, winner of the inaugural season of the hit NBC television music reality show, The Voice.
This year, OMA will welcome more than 400 students, faculty and staff members, corporate sponsors and community members.
Johnson, a partner and chief of strategy for the Baltimore-based branding firm Illume Communications, will address “When Diversity is Not Enough” as part of the evening’s overall theme, “Our Community, Our Commitment.”
Johnson is also CEO of Elite Voices Speakers, a premier speakers bureau he co-founded with journalist Marc Lamont Hill. He has served as national director for the Youth & College Division of the NAACP and held an appointment by Russell Simmons as vice president of the Hip Hop Summit Action Network (HSAN).
He provides regular content on TheRoot.com and the nationally syndicated Rickey Smiley Morning Show. Most recently, he worked with Glenville High School graduate Steve Harvey on the comedian/actor/TV host’s New York Times bestseller, Act Like A Success, Think Like A Success: Discovering Your Gift and the Way to Life’s Riches.
The annual fundraiser benefits the mission, activities and services of OMA, which supports the success and retention of all students, with specific attention to African-American, Hispanic and Latino, Native American and Pacific Island students.
Tickets are available online at students.case.edu/events/unitybanquet/ for $60 if bought by March 30; $75 from March 31 to April 6. For information, call the Office of Multicultural Affairs at 216.368.2904.