Journalist Roland Martin, host and managing editor of the “Roland Martin Unfiltered” daily digital program, will deliver a virtual “State of the African American Union” address at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Feb. 26, as part of the MTSU Black History Month celebration. (Submitted photo)

An accomplished journalist and commentator will assess the status of African Americans in a 2021 MTSU Black History Month event. 

Journalist Roland Martin, host and managing editor of the “Roland Martin Unfiltered” daily digital program, will deliver a virtual “State of the African American Union” address at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Feb. 26, at http://bit.ly/mtsu-roland-martin.

The address will also be available on the MTSU Facebook page and True Blue TV.

The former host of “NewsOne Now” on TV One, a cable television channel that targets an African American audience, Martin also provided commentary on Cable News Network for six years.

Dr. Aaron Treadwell

Dr. Aaron Treadwell, an assistant professor of history, called Martin’s speech “an intentional approach to engage healthy conversations on race.”

The Department of History, along with the Black History Month Committee and the Distinguished Lecture Committee, are event sponsors.

“In my three-year tenure at MTSU, I have been encouraged by the campus’s ability to provide intellectual engagements that challenge societal norms,” Treadwell said.

“This event will be no different, as the speaker will remind the audience that the African American experiences are not solely for Black recitation; Black history is American history. The more we know, the better we can become.”

Martin’s previous journalistic experience also includes stints as managing editor/executive editor of the Chicago Defender; founding editor of BlackAmericaWeb.com; and owner/manager of Dallas/Fort Worth Heritage, a monthly Christian newspaper, as well as radio and television reporting experience.

His more than 30 awards include the 2008 President’s Award from the National Association of Black Journalists, who named him Journalist of the Year in 2013 for his focus on issues of importance to African Americans during the 2012 election, and four NAACP Image Awards, including Best Host for the last two years.

Daniel Green

In 2013, readers of Jet magazine voted him “King of the Hill” when it comes to the person they turn to on issues of concern to them. Ebony magazine has named him one of the 150 Most Influential African Americans in the United States four times.

“His vibrant career has touched and changed the lives of many people, near and far. I expect his message to do the same for our audience,” said Office of Intercultural and Diversity Affairs Director Daniel Green, chair of the university’s Black History Month Committee.

“I encourage the campus community to participate in what should be an uplifting and uniting program.”

For more information, contact Green at 615-898-5812 or daniel.green@mtsu.edu.

— Gina K. Logue (gina.logue@mtsu.edu)

Journalist Roland Martin, host and managing editor of the “Roland Martin Unfiltered” daily digital program, will deliver a virtual “State of the African American Union” address at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Feb. 26, as part of the MTSU Black History Month celebration. Access the event by using the QR code above.