Curtis Symonds, CEO and founder, HBCU Network, Dayton, Ohio:
“I was speaking on a panel about the effects of sports in our community. I think what Rev. Jackson has been working on over the last 15 years and made major steps in the right direction, and helping the business and financial community. You can’t do it in one day and he has been working diligently and hard. I think that he has moved a lot of stones that wouldn’t have been moved if he hadn’t of been spearheading them. I applaud his efforts and I’m glad I’m here.
I’ve always been inspired to live my dreams. As Rev. Jackson has said, ‘keep hope alive.’ My hope is that the cable network that I’m trying to start is about the HBCU Network. Someone has to step up and really help support these black colleges. I believe this network will do that, and it’s time. So I’ve been inspired by everything around me, and I look forward to that grind.”
