Political activist, poet, writer, and entrepreneur Kevin Powell kicked off Kentucky State University鈥檚 Lecture Series on September 8 at Bradford Hall. Powell challenged students to have a plan for the future, but also know their history.
鈥淵ou are not really educated if you don鈥檛 know who you are. If you don鈥檛 know your cultural history/background, your ethnic background, or knowledge of the state you grew up in, then you are not truly educated,鈥� said Powell. 鈥淲hatever your passion is about, that鈥檚 what you should do with your life. I didn鈥檛 know that falling in love with books at 8 years old would lead me to fall in love with writing and finding my passion, purpose and plan.鈥�
During Powell鈥檚 lecture, he went into depth about his life. He stressed to students that growing up in poverty wasn鈥檛 a disadvantage, but a footstool to acknowledge and appreciate the importance of education and purpose.
鈥淚 grew up poor on the East Coast, and my mother had an eighth-grade education so education was extremely important to her, which was stressed to me,鈥� he said.
Powell has published 12 books including his bestsellers: 鈥淏arack Obama, Ronald Regan, and the Ghost of Dr. King,鈥� 鈥淥pen Letters to America,鈥� 鈥淪omeday We鈥檒l All Be Free,鈥� and his most recent book, 鈥淭he Education of Kevin Powell: A Boy鈥檚 Journey into Manhood.鈥� The prolific writer will begin to work on his new book, which is yet to be titled, about hip-hop rap artist Tupac Shakur. Powell plans to describe the relationship between him and Tupac and outline to the rapper the struggles we face today in the upcoming book.
Powell also allowed students to talk with him more on a personal level. In addition to speaking as part of the university鈥檚 lecture series, Powell also talked with students in more intimate, separate workshops geared to just female students, male students and Greek-letter organizations.
鈥淚t鈥檚 meeting people that keeps me going. I give as much as I get all the time to people and I love to give my best to people,鈥� Powell said. 鈥淭his is a great institution. I love the people and the students here. This is truly a great place.鈥�
Story by A鈥檒ea Cardenas