Balfour Distinguished Lecture Program

Once a year, the Center for Diversity holds the Balfour Distinguished Lecture Program in the Majestic Theatre. The Program features a prominent American who has achieved success and given leadership in furthering diversity in the arts and communication industries. The purpose of the lecture is to inspire the college community and its friends to embrace diversity as a value in their social and professional lives.

Balfour Distinguished Lecturers

PICTORIAL HIGHLIGHTS OF OLMOS lecture

PICTORIAL HIGHLIGHTS OF De passe lecture

Snapshots from the 2006-2006 Balfour Distinguished Lecture Program with well-known tv producer Suzanne de Passe at the Semel Theatre.

Pictorial Highlights of Belafonte Lecture

Snapshots from the 2005-2006 Balfour Distinguished Lecture Program with legendary entertainer and activist Harry Belafonte at the Cutler Majestic Theatre.

Harry Belafonte (right) poses with (from left) Kerry Herlihy Sullivan, senior vice president and director of Foundation and Philanthropic Services at Bank of America (which supports the Balfour lectureship, William H. Smith, executive director of the Center for Diversity in the Communication Industries, President Jacqueline Liebergott.
An enthusiastic audience of young and old gave several standing ovations to Harry Belafonte for his spirited talk.	Mr. Belafonte shares a story with community leader and educator Kathy Jones during the reception prior to the lecture.
CDCI student staff (l-r) Anna Sumilat, coordinator of Campus Conversations on Race (CCOR), Martin Meccouri, special projects coordinator, Lauren Amar, marketing/public relations coordinator, and Hashim Benford, co-founder of CCOR Action Committee look on as CDCI archivist Shiku Thompson presents Mr. Belafonte with a copy of the CCOR Handbook for his autograph for the CDCI archives.	Members of the audience respond to Harry Belafonte’s words that "the great diversity of our people… gives me great hope for the future.”