The Oak Park Speaker Series hosted the second of a four-part series on June 11th at the Guild Theater with special guest speaker Byron Pitts.  Nearly 150 guests attended the event, emceed by former Mayor Kevin Johnson and included remarks by Greater Sacramento Urban League President and CEO Cassandra Jennings.  The evening concluded with a fireside chat with Mayor Johnson and award-winning journalist and author Byron Pitts.  Pitts was raised by a single mother and struggled with severe learning disabilities. He discussed his ability to overcome insurmountable obstacles to ultimately graduate from college and achieve incredible professional goals. Throughout his 30+ year career, Pitts shared his experience and opinions about his personal interviews with key leaders including several American presidents and an interesting encounter with President Nelson Mandela.

The Oak Park Speaker Series brings in dynamic speakers from across the country to speak about important topics facing the African American community including education, economic empowerment and political influence. The four-part monthly series began in May with leading journalist Roland Martin and will conclude in August with financial analyst Carla Harris.  

Award-winning author Terry McMillan also returned to Sacramento to participate in the third Oak Park Speaker Series event on July 11. Stay tuned to next month’s Pipeline where a brief overview of Ms. McMillan’s appearance will be featured.

Tickets are available online or at Underground Books at 2828 35th Street for the fourth and final installment of the Oak Park Speaker Series scheduled August 6th featuring Carla Harris. See you there!