Ed Gordon, an Emmy Award-winning television broadcaster
and founder of Daddy's Promise, will be the keynote speaker
for Eastern Michigan University's annual Martin Luther
King, Jr. Celebration Jan. 19.
Gordon is currently host of the new, nationally syndicated
TV show, "Our World With Black Enterprise," a 30-minute
program that includes a mix of one-on-one headline interviews
with today's top newsmakers and celebrities, roundtable
discussions, and profiles of some of the world's most intriguing
people.
 |
MLK DAY KEYNOTE: Ed Gordon,
host of the
nationally syndicated TV
talk show, "Our World
With Black
Enterprise," is the keynote speaker
at Eastern Michigan University's
MLK Day Celebration
Jan. 19,
2009. |
This year's event, dubbed "Our Revolution...our Responsibility,"
scheduled Monday, Jan. 19, begins with a breakfast from
7:45-9:30 a.m. in room 310 of the Student Center, followed
by Gordon's keynote speech from 10-11:30 a.m. in the Student
Center Auditorium. The President's Luncheon takes place
from 11:50 a.m. to 1:50 p.m. in the Student Center Grand
Ballroom. Gordon will make brief remarks at the luncheon.
Gordon formerly was managing editor of Black Entertainment
Television's (BET) "News With Ed Gordon," host of "BET
Tonight" and host of the one-on-one talk show, "Conversations
with Ed Gordon."
Before going to BET, Gordon had a three-year stint on
NBC as a contributor to the "Today Show" and "Dateline," and
its cable sister network, CNBC, where he was anchor and
host of the talk show, "Internight." Gordon first gained
acclaim for garnering the first interview with O.J. Simpson
after the former football star was acquitted for the murder
of his ex-wife and her friend. Gordon opened the interview
by asking, "Did you commit those murders?"
Gordon also has covered many defining moments, including
the freeing of Nelson Mandela, the Los Angeles Police Department
beating of Rodney King, the upheavals in Haiti and Cuba,
and the terrorist strikes on the United States Sept. 11,
2001.
Periodically, Gordon hosts BET News special broadcasts,
and has been a contributing correspondent for CBS's "60
Minutes II." He also previously hosted "News and Notes
with Ed Gordon," which aired on National Public Radio,
and is president of the Gordon Media Group, a multi-service
production company.
Gordon created Daddy's Promise, an initiative that encourages
fathers to become deeply involved in the lives of their
daughters. The project was born after he wrote a story
for Essence magazine (December 2006) describing the close
relationship he shares with his daughter, Taylor.
Gordon is the recipient of numerous awards, including
the National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ) Award
of Excellence and the organization's Outstanding Journalistic
Endeavor Award. He also has won an Emmy and the Communication
Excellence to Black Audiences (CEBA) award for merit,
distinction and excellence, as well as the NAACP Image
Award. Gordon also has been nominated for an ACE Award,
cable television's highest honor.
From 1985-88, Gordon served as host of Detroit Black Journal,
the nation's longest-running, locally produced public affairs
program. He also co-hosted "No Crime Day" with former Detroit
Pistons basketball star Isaiah Thomas. The program encouraged
youth to stay away from crime.
Gordon has been featured in numerous publications, including
USA Today, Washington Post, Essence magazine, Entertainment
Weekly and was one of People magazine's list of "50 Most
Beautiful People" in 1996.
Gordon, who was born in Detroit, received his bachelor's
degree in communications and political science from Western
Michigan University.
MLK Humanitarian Award nominations sought
Nominations for the 2009 MLK Jr. Humanitarian Awards are
currently being accepted. The award recognizes individuals
from within the University and local community who exemplify
the values and ideals of Dr. King. For the first time,
the MLK Planning Committee will handle both the adult and
student awards. Nominations must include biographical information
as well as a statement that provides the rationale for
the nomination.
Nominations are due by Friday, Jan. 2, 2009, in the Office
of Government Relations in 202 Welch Hall. For questions,
contact Don Hazaert at 487-7048.
