Smac Hosts Motivational Speaker, Author, Radio Host Justin Jones-fosu

Nov. 07, 2011

Michelle Eubanks, UNA, at media@una.edu, 256.765.4392 or 256.606.2033

FLORENCE, Ala. - The Student Multicultural Advisory Committee at the University of North Alabama will bring Justin Jones-Fosu, a motivational speaker, entrepreneur, author and weekly radio host, to speak about diversity issues Nov. 14 from 7-10 p.m. at the Guillot University Performance Center. Jones-Fosu will address the definition of diversity, how to embrace it in today's society and how the university can more effectively encourage and promote diversity on campus. Allison Ray, UNA senior and leader of SMAC, said Jones-Fosu will use music and movement in his presentation to communicate with the audience. "Today, we are living in a very diverse and multicultural world and it is absolutely critical to learn the best tools and resources to embrace and promote diversity in our own communities and campus," Ray said. "It is important for UNA students and the Shoals community to come out to this event in order to gain these tools and to better understand the impact they can make in their daily lives." Ray said the free event will focus on the benefits of a diverse community, and allow audience members to see how diverse perspectives on a college campus enhance the university experience. The event is also sponsored by the Office of Student Engagement. Jones-Fosu is the president and chief inspirational officer of JUSTIN INSPIRES, which is a company that provides inspirational speaking and workshops to people across the world. He is also the author of "Inspiration for Life: Dream Bigger, Do More, Live Fuller." Additionally, the speaker hosts a weekly radio show in Baltimore named "Listen UP with Justin Jones-Fosu." In 2008, Jones-Fosu was named one of the "Top 30 Young Leaders Under 30 on the Rise" by EBONY magazine, and was awarded the Distinguished Student Entrepreneur of the Year by the University of Baltimore. He also works as the regional board member for INROADS, Inc. Founded in August of 2010, SMAC is a student-led organization that promotes advocacy and education of various cultures throughout the world. Organizers said SMAC promotes acceptance and diversity awareness by using programming and educational development to reach students. For more information about the event, contact the Office of Student Engagement at 256-765-4248.

About The University of North Alabama

The University of North Alabama is an accredited, comprehensive regional state university offering undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral degree programs through the colleges of Arts, Sciences, and Engineering; the Sanders College of Business and Technology; Education and Human Sciences; and the Anderson College of Nursing and Health Professions. Occupying a 130-acre campus in a residential section of Florence, Alabama, UNA is located within a four-city area that also includes Muscle Shoals, Sheffield, and Tuscumbia. UNA Athletics, a renowned collegiate athletics program with seven (7) Division II National Championships, is now a proud member of NCAA Division I as part of the Atlantic Sun and United Athletic conferences. The University of North Alabama is an equal opportunity institution and does not discriminate in the admission policy on the basis of race, color, sex, religion, disability, age, or national origin. For more: una.edu and una.edu/unaworks/.