Noted entrepreneur to deliver MLK Celebration address

Randal Pinkett will be the featured speaker at this year’s celebration of the life, work and legacy of Martin Luther King Jr. His public presentation, “Where Do We Go from Here: Chaos or Community?” will be at 3:30 p.m., Tuesday, Jan. 21, in the Cone University Center, McKnight Hall.

Pinkett, who completed a doctorate in media arts and sciences from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, selected the title of his presentation from King’s final book, published in 1967 before his assassination on April 4, 1968. In his presentation, Pinkett will bring attention to today’s society and offer insight specifically from King for where society needs to go.

“Dr. Pinkett has established himself as an entrepreneur, speaker, author, scholar and community servant and one of the leading voices for his generation,” said Kim Turner, director for the Office of Identity, Equity and Engagement, which hosts the University’s annual MLK Celebration.

The season four winner of TV’s “The Apprentice,” Pinkett founded BCT Partners, a research, consulting, training, technology and analytics firm that provides insights about diverse people that lead to equity. BCT works with corporations, government agencies and nonprofit organizations in the areas of housing and community development, economic development, children and families, health, education, diversity, inclusion and energy.

Pinkett, the first African American from Rutgers University to become a Rhodes Scholar, holds five academic degrees and has authored two books, “Campus CEO: The Student Entrepreneur’s Guide to Launching a Multimillion-Dollar Business” and “Black Faces in White Places: 10 Game-Changing Strategies to Achieve Success and Find Greatness.” He also has an audio book, “The No-Money Down CEO: How to Start Your Dream Business with Little or No Cash.”

The Jan. 21 program will feature recognition of campus partners and a candle lighting ceremony.