Okay, so he didn't win the Oscar -- this time. (But even for his fans, it's bittersweet consolation that the award went to Forest Whittaker for his amazing turn as Uganda's Idi Amin in The Last King of Scotland.) But in an interview with THE BLACK COLLEGIAN, the thespian formerly known as the Fresh Prince reveals why his name name has become synonymous with box office clout.
In the new edition of TBC now available on college campuses, Smith discusses his career path over the past two decades, leading to pass up admission to MIT (!) for a music career, then on to a hit TV show, to silver screen superstardom, and now into the business of show business as well.
Mostly, it's drive and a belief in one's own abilities. Smith says he was attracted to the rags-to-riches story of Chris gardner in the The Pursuit of Happyness because of how the millionaire stockbroker's life reflects the American Dream.
"To me, The Pursuit of Happyness is so connected to the idea of why America works," Smith told THE BLACK COLLEGIAN. "This is the only country on the face of the earth that Chris Gardner can exist. … The hope for that doesn't even exist anywhere else on Earth. That you're homeless, you have $21, and without killing anybody, without oil, without an army, [but] strictly based on an idea that you have in your mind … you create a multimillion dollar empire."
Check out the full intervew, "Will Smith in Pursuit of Excellence".
Wednesday, February 28, 2007
Thursday, February 22, 2007
Added to Online Edition: Annual Job Interview section, and working at the CIA
In the continuing updates to the site: Our annual seasonal series of advice articles for those students and imminent graduates who are getting ready for on-site employer interviews. Good tips from a variety of experienced career develpment folks, HR professionals and more share tips on How to Prepare for the On-site Interview, the Top Ten Reasons for Failing the Interview, and What to Do Next? if you blow an interview (and the answer is not simply to implode).
Another item of interest is the continuation of a series of profiles on working Inside the CIA. Forget about the James Bond stuff; the series gives a sober look at what's going at the Agency in terms of diversity and hiring, from the perspectives of people who work there. If you think it could be for you, see what the insiders say.
More updates later.
Another item of interest is the continuation of a series of profiles on working Inside the CIA. Forget about the James Bond stuff; the series gives a sober look at what's going at the Agency in terms of diversity and hiring, from the perspectives of people who work there. If you think it could be for you, see what the insiders say.
More updates later.
Monday, February 05, 2007
Focus on: The Hip-Hop Generation
Of interest this week: We didn't plan it this way, but a series of readings added to our site recently all seem to be focused on the question: What does the so-called "Hip-Hop Generation" stand for? How does it compare with previous generations and movements?
It starts with Black College Wire's Aariel Charbonnet reporting the Hip-Hop Generation Debated at "State of Black Union" Conference, at activist broadcaster Tavis Smiley's eighth annual "State of the Black Union" symposium on February 10 at Hampton. At the conference, the Rev. Al Sharpton said "Black youths have lost the dignity that the Blacks brought in 1607 to nearby Jamestown, Va., possessed."
Earlier, Martin Luther King Jr's daughter knocked violence and Hip-Hop culture at a commemoration of Dr. King's birthday.
As part our new edition's special section on Black Student Political Power, TBC contributor Shawn Chollette interviewed Yvonne Byone on Hip-Hop politics. Bynoe's thrust is that while trendy campaigns like P Diddy's Vote or Die may create temporary activity around elections, the potential clout of young African Americans is undercut by the a number of problems. One is the negative perception of "Hip Hop" among many people in the general population, including older Black activists that should be building coalitions with young voters as well as politicians who do not take the youth vote seriously.
Bynoe is author of books including Stand and Deliver: Political Activism, Leadership and Hip Hop Culture and The Encyclopedia of Rap and Hip Hop Culture.
Is it all just too many older folks beating up young people, and failing to appreciate that creativity and energy and expression can be found in hip hop? Or is it that today's generation of young African Americans is participating in its own continuing political marginalization through its adherence to that spirit in hip hop? Check out the articles and see what you think?
It starts with Black College Wire's Aariel Charbonnet reporting the Hip-Hop Generation Debated at "State of Black Union" Conference, at activist broadcaster Tavis Smiley's eighth annual "State of the Black Union" symposium on February 10 at Hampton. At the conference, the Rev. Al Sharpton said "Black youths have lost the dignity that the Blacks brought in 1607 to nearby Jamestown, Va., possessed."
Earlier, Martin Luther King Jr's daughter knocked violence and Hip-Hop culture at a commemoration of Dr. King's birthday.
As part our new edition's special section on Black Student Political Power, TBC contributor Shawn Chollette interviewed Yvonne Byone on Hip-Hop politics. Bynoe's thrust is that while trendy campaigns like P Diddy's Vote or Die may create temporary activity around elections, the potential clout of young African Americans is undercut by the a number of problems. One is the negative perception of "Hip Hop" among many people in the general population, including older Black activists that should be building coalitions with young voters as well as politicians who do not take the youth vote seriously.
Bynoe is author of books including Stand and Deliver: Political Activism, Leadership and Hip Hop Culture and The Encyclopedia of Rap and Hip Hop Culture.
Is it all just too many older folks beating up young people, and failing to appreciate that creativity and energy and expression can be found in hip hop? Or is it that today's generation of young African Americans is participating in its own continuing political marginalization through its adherence to that spirit in hip hop? Check out the articles and see what you think?
Thursday, February 01, 2007
New Second Semester Edition of THE BLACK COLLEGIAN
Check out the Preview: Second Semester 2007 Super Issue
...and more.
The magazine is now shipping and will be available to students free this month at most campus Career Centers. View Full Edition
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