Award-winning author Jeffrey Blount returned to Brenau University to share his message of the importance of being an activist of kindness.
On Thursday, Jan. 18, students, faculty and staff came together to remember the lessons of peace and equality taught by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. The winter convocation is an annual tradition of Brenau University that focuses on King’s legacy. Attendees were also treated with performances by the Department of Dance and Portia Burns.
Interim President David L. Barnett shared gratitude for Blount’s arrival to Brenau.
“Blount is someone who, through his craft, has illustrated what a beloved community might look like and the change necessary to arrive there,” Barnett said.
Debra Dobkins, assistant vice president and dean of The Women’s College, also shared that Blount’s return for the winter convocation was a “fervent wish” of the late Brenau President Anne Skleder.
Blount retired from the news industry in 2017, and during his 34-year career, he won an Emmy and directed a decade of Meet The Press, The Today Show, NBC Nightly News, The Chris Matthews Show, and major special events. He is also a public speaker and an award-winning documentary scriptwriter. He served as a Shapiro Fellow and Journalist in Residence at The
George Washington University School of Media and Public Affairs in 2017 and 2018. In 2016, he was inducted into the Virginia Communications Hall of Fame.
Blount previously spoke at Brenau sharing his book, The Emancipation of Evan Walls. His newest release, Mr. Jimmy from Around the Way, was released only days before his speaking at Brenau.
During his remarks, Blount reminded the student body of the power they hold as individuals.
“I came here to Brenau to say that you are Dr. King’s future; you are the dream agenda. I’m here to invest in that future,” he said.
Blount recalled times during his life when he witnessed the human capacity to help another person, despite any judgment one may hold. He shared a piece of wisdom from his parents: “It is your duty as a human being to see your fellow human being in need and to rise and do something about it.”
Blount’s words of encouragement stemmed from the vision of preserving humanity through acts of kindness.
“Kindness is looked down upon, it’s not given power and it’s naive to believe that kindness could do anything,” Blount said. “Though activism is typically categorized by rioting and destructive acts of defiance, something as simple as helping someone on the side of the road can be its own brand of activism. Even though being kind may not be the easiest task at times, one act of kindness can go a long way, and students shouldn’t let the temptations of hatred stop them from being kind.
“Dr. King was a man who never gave in. Even on the eve of his death, he said we’ll get to the promised land.”
Blount later spent time with Brenau’s students in Presidents Gallery as he gave students signed copies of his new book. He also held a thought-provoking masterclass, allowing students to ask him about his experiences as both a media person and an activist.
All photos by AJ Reynolds for Brenau University
