Thursday, May 24

by Dennis Archer

6:45 pm Pre-presentation Reception with Speaker – 7:30 pm Presentation Begins
Lake Michigan College, South Haven Campus
125 Veterans Blvd.
South Haven, Michigan

Former Detroit Mayor Dennis Archer and member of the Michigan Supreme Court offers his inspiring perspective on perseverance and leadership. Widely known for his political service, Archer also had a distinguished legal career as a respected judge, first black president of the American Bar Association, and one of the 100 Most Powerful Attorney’s in The U.S.

The presentation “Reflections on Leadership and Perseverance” by Dennis Archer was well attended. Here’s some photos from the event.

Watch the Video – Reflections on Leadership and Perseverance, Dennis Archer

Video by Richard Brunvand

Thursday, May 10

by Phil Power

6:45 pm Pre-presentation Reception with Speaker – 7:30 pm Presentation Begins
Lake Michigan College, South Haven Campus
125 Veterans Blvd.
South Haven, Michigan

Phil Power, Founder and Chairman of the Center for Michigan and Bridge magazine, offers insightful reflections on 2018 issues affecting Michigan including the 2018 mid- term elections. A former owner of a chain of community newspapers, Power has been a strong proponent of economic development in Michigan.

The presentation “Why Our Political System is Behaving So Oddly” by Phil Power was well attended. Here’s some photos from the event.

Watch the Video – Presentation “Why Our Political System is Behaving So Oddly” by Phil Power

Video by Richard Brunvand

Thursday, April 19

by Dr. Fred L. Johnson III

6:45 pm Pre-presentation Reception with Speaker – 7:30 pm Presentation Begins
Lake Michigan College, South Haven Campus
125 Veterans Blvd.
South Haven, Michigan

Professor Fred Johnson, one of Hope College’s most celebrated teachers, discusses how centuries old patterns of discrimination play out in new forms and challenges. He will offer action steps that need to be taken to secure the diminished benefits of citizenship for African Americans.

Speakers Series of South Haven Launches 2018 Season on Thursday, April 19 with “While Black People Slept” by Dr. Fred L. Johnson III.

While Black People Slept will be the subject for the opening presentation of the 2018 Speakers Series of South Haven on Thursday, April 19 at Lake Michigan College in South Haven. The speaker, Professor Fred Johnson, is one of Hope College’s most celebrated teachers, a seven-time semi-finalist in the Toastmaster’s World Series of Public Speaking, and a former candidate for the U.S. House of Representatives. A pre-presentation reception with the speaker will be held at 6:45 p.m. followed by the talk at 7:30.

Johnson will assess how the much hoped for post-racial America heralded by Barack Obama’s 2008 election has been eroded. Changes that led many to presume that great leaps of progress had been achieved were actually retrenched patterns of discrimination and marginalization that have gained momentum. “They are the nation’s dirty secrets hiding in plain sight” he says.

Although 21st Century America affords more benefits and opportunities for Black Americans than previous generations, Johnson says that “Blacks in the 21st Century have been lulled by the achievements of their forebears and now confront old problems in the guise of new challenges.” He will discuss areas of old and new discrimination that persist in diminishing benefits of citizenship for African Americans while addressing strategies for resolution.

Recognized as a vibrant speaker and effective teacher, Johnson has advanced seven times to the Toastmaster’s World Series of Public Speaking and last year won 2nd place in the semi-final round. He has received the Hope Outstanding Professor Educator Award and Hope students voted him their Favorite Professor Award. Johnson also draws full houses at his regular adult lectures and programs at Hope, Calvin, and Aquinas Colleges and Grand Valley State University.

He brings a wealth of practical experience to his teaching from his service as a U.S. Marine Corps Officer and working in the automotive, telecommunications, and aerospace industries. In 2008 and 2010, he ran for the House of Representatives from Michigan’s 2nd Congressional District.

Johnson earned his Masters and Doctorate degrees from Kent State University in Ohio. His primary field of study is 19th Century U.S. History, specifically the Civil War. His other areas of expertise include U.S. Military History, History of U.S. Foreign Policy, 20th Century U.S. History, and Africa.

He is the author of numerous articles and book reviews, three novels published by Random House, and co-author of a biography of the late actor and Hip-Hop artist Tupac Shakur.

The presentation “While Black People Slept” by Dr. Fred L. Johnson III was well attended. Here’s some photos from the event.

Watch the Video – While Black People Slept, Dr. Fred L. Johnson III

Video by Richard Brunvand

Thursday, September 28

by Yvonne Caamal Canul

6:45 pm Pre-presentation Reception with Speaker – 7:30 pm Presentation Begins
Lake Michigan College, South Haven Campus
125 Veterans Blvd.
South Haven, Michigan

Dr. Canul was named 2015 Michigan Superintendent of the Year and currently serves as Superintendent of Lansing Public School District. She will describe her perspective on what really works in education today and why we should care.

Yvonne Caamal Canul, considered one of the most dynamic and visionary education leaders in the United States today, will bring her thought-provoking message to the Speakers Series of South Haven on September 28 at Lake Michigan College at 7:30 pm. The evening will begin with a pre-presentation reception with the speaker at 6:45 pm. Admission is $10. Students and educators are admitted without charge.

Caamal Canul recently received the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation American Association of School Administrators award for her exemplary talent, vision, and creativity. Her presentation in South Haven will challenge conventional wisdom about education as she focuses on issues of significance for all Americans. She believes public education has been the great equalizer in America, but challenges us to ask if our current approach continues to accomplish that goal.

Yvonne is known for bold decisions accompanied by a positive attitude with a focus on student achievement based on principles of child development and sound research. She has served as Superintendent of the Lansing Public Schools since 2012, and is described as a no-nonsense, student-focused leader dedicated to educating students in a caring and collaborative environment. The Michigan Association of School Administrators named her Michigan Superintendent of the Year in 2015.

Raised in Latin America until she was 15, Yvonne earned a bachelor’s degree in speech and theater from Olivet College and in 1997 was awarded an Honorary Doctorate. Her master’s degree in elementary education and racial and ethnic studies is from Michigan State University. She founded the Center for Language, Culture, and Communications, Lansing’s first multi-culture based focus school. She was awarded the Capital Area Hispanic Representatives Award for Achievement and the National Educator Award from the Milken Foundation. She led the school improvement division for the Michigan Department of Education, worked with the Outreach and Engagement Office at Michigan State University, taught at all levels in the Lansing Public Schools, and served as its director of curriculum and assessment.

“Some will find Yvonne Caamal Canul’s ideas controversial,” says Elaine Stephens, program chairperson. “Regardless of whether you agree or disagree with her, the audience will be stimulated to think about education differently.”

The presentation on Bold Ideas for Better Schools from Dr. Canul was well attended. Here’s some photos from the event.

Watch the Video – Bold Ideas for Better Schools, Dr. Yvonne Caamal Canul

Video by Richard Brunvand

Thursday, August 31

by Ebrahim Moosa

6:45 pm Pre-presentation Reception with Speaker – 7:30 pm Presentation Begins
Lake Michigan College, South Haven Campus
125 Veterans Blvd.
South Haven, Michigan

Ebrahim Moosa, considered one of the world’s most influential Muslims, will be the next featured speaker in the 2017 Speaker Series of South Haven. The event will be held on Thursday, August 31 at Lake Michigan College at 7:30 pm. A pre-presentation reception will be he held 6:45.

Moosa, a professor of Islamic Studies at the Kroc Institute for International Peace Studies at the University of Notre Dame, will speak on Reform in the Contemporary Islamic World. Approaching Islam as a faith for all eras, he will explore the need for a progressive Islam interpreted in the context of contemporary human dignity, identity and ethics.

“His appearance is certainly timely,” says Frank Cunningham, chair for the event. “And very much in keeping with our mission to bring dynamic and knowledgeable speakers to address issues, innovations and ideas shaping our lives. It promises to be a very informative evening about one of the world’s great faiths and the adaptations of its truths to today’s world. It can be a pier in a bridge of understanding”

Acknowledged as “one of the most prominent intellectual theoreticians behind progressive Muslim thought” Moosa defines himself as “a traditionalist with a critical bend.”

“The key thing about progressive or critical traditionalist approach in Islam, to me, is that we must see that all knowledge must substantiate and support the fulfillment of human dignity. Human dignity is at the core of all Islam’s messages. And if knowledge does not deliver on human dignity, then that knowledge really is questionable.”

Moosa will explore the question of heritage in the Arab-Islamic world and how heritage affects identity. It involves issues of politics, the interpretation of Islamic law, and the need to shift to a public theology centering on ethics and human dignity. Moosa maintains, however, that events such as the emergence of military and despotic regimes after the Arab Spring and foreign destabilization of the region has prevented these debates from flowering into social policies.

Often called to the world stage, he recently commented extensively on Ramadan and the practice of fasting for the Australian Broadcasting Company. “Fasting is an act which is breathtakingly simple in expression, but immensely demanding in execution. Yes, there might be some disciplinary and health benefits, but for 29 or 30 days back to back? That takes some doing…” says Moosa.

A native of South Africa, Moosa taught at the University of Cape Town, and Duke and Stanford Universities before joining the Notre Dame faculty in 2014.

The presentation on Mid East issues from Dr. Ebrahim Moosa was well attended. Here’s a video and some photos from the event.

Watch the video – Ebrahim Moosa: Mid East Issues – by Richard Brunvand.

Thursday, June 15

by Bing Goei

6:45 pm Pre-presentation Reception with Speaker – 7:30 pm Presentation Begins
Lake Michigan College, South Haven Campus
125 Veterans Blvd.
South Haven, Michigan

Bing Goei, a highly successful and entrepreneurial Asian-American who currently serves as Director of the Office for New Americans for the state of Michigan, will address the Speakers Series of South Haven audience on Thursday, June 15 on the campus of Lake Michigan College in South Haven at 7:30 p.m. His topic will be Immigration and Our Future. The evening will begin with a pre-presentation reception with the speaker at 6:45 p.m.

Goei is a proud Asian-American who immigrated to Michigan from Indonesia via the Netherlands with his family in 1960. He will share an inspiring story of his journey including the obstacles, challenges and opportunities along the way, and how hard work and perseverance helped assure his ultimate success. In 2001, he purchased Eastern Floral out of bankruptcy and rebuilt the Eastern Floral Company into one of the top 50 Teleflora businesses with six West Michigan locations in Holland, Grand Haven, and Grand Rapids. His passion for entrepreneurship and diversity led him to create the International Center for Entrepreneurial Excellence, a business incubator offering low-cost space to young, minority and female entrepreneurs in Grand Rapids.

His role as Director of the Michigan Office for New Americans is designed to help grow Michigan’s economy by attracting and retaining global talent, and promoting skills, energy and entrepreneurial spirit within our immigrant communities; and to make Michigan a more welcoming state. He is responsible for supporting and coordinating immigration initiatives and for making recommendations to the Governor on state and federal policies and programs.

“Goei makes the case for why immigration is so important to the future of Michigan and our country. His perspective on immigration and how it can help our economy will challenge some of the current objections we have been hearing over the past few months”, said Mark Odland, President of the Speakers Series and Program Chair for this event.

Bing Goei was named the West Michigan Entrepreneur of the Year by Ernst & Young in 2005, and has been inducted into the Junior Achievement West Michigan Business Hall of Fame. Just recently, he was awarded the West Michigan American Red Cross Clara Barton Humanitarian of the Year Award, and currently serves on the TALENT 2025 CEO Council.

The presentation on Immigration from Bing Goei was well attended. Here’s a video and some photos from the event.

Watch the video – Bing Goei: Immigration and Our Future – by Richard Brunvand.

Read more about the event on our blog in this article by BECKY KARK – For the South Haven Tribune >>>