PBS Host Tavis Smiley to Moderate Conversation on Recovering America's Greatness

Panelists to Consider What the Future Holds for the Next Generation

LOS ANGELES, Dec. 14, 2010 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Two costly ongoing wars, a fledgling economy, a failing educational system, and job losses have Americans worried not only about the fate of the country but its legacy as a global leader. This January, broadcaster Tavis Smiley will convene a panel of thought leaders to wrestle with how America can return to its greatness.

"We are all aware of the challenges we face in our country. In fact, many other countries are facing some of the same economic and social issues. But what's striking for some of us is the slide in our global standing. On so many indicators we are lagging behind where we were once considered a front runner," said Smiley.

The nationally televised discussion, America's Next Chapter, will be held from 6 p.m. – 9 p.m. Thursday, January 13, 2011 at George Washington University's Lisner Auditorium, 730 21st St. NW, Washington, D.C. The event is sponsored by Nationwide Insurance and is free and open to the public. Advance registration is requested at www.americasnextchapter.com.

The event will broadcast LIVE on C-SPAN Thursday, January 13. The conversation will rebroadcast for three nights on Tavis Smiley on PBS beginning Tuesday, January 18 through Thursday, January 20. The conversation will continue during The Tavis Smiley Show and Smiley & West from PRI (Public Radio International).

Panelists include, among others: Cornel West, Princeton University professor and author; David Frum, speechwriter for former President George W. Bush and founder of FrumForum; Arianna Huffington, founder of The Huffington Post; Dana Milbank, lead political columnist for The Washington Post; Helene Cooper, White House correspondent for The New York Times; David Brody, CBN News White House Correspondent and Maria Teresa Kumar, Executive Director/Co-Founder, Voto Latino.

"How do we rebuild cities with empty homes and no jobs? When does economic recovery really happen? Have we become a nation that is good at destroying things (i.e. school programs, health services, libraries) and the salaries that go with them?" Smiley added. "If this is true, what should be our response as the citizenry to take part in the recovery? Perhaps we are the ones with the answers as opposed to government or even big business."

About Tavis Smiley Presents

Tavis Smiley Presents is an event production company dedicated to bringing thought provoking discussions, engaging town hall meetings, and consumer expos to communities across the country. During the last 10 years its programs have reached more than 500,000 conference attendees and attracted millions of television viewers nationwide. Tavis Smiley is the host of Tavis Smiley on PBS, a weeknight talk show and host of The Tavis Smiley Show from PRI, a weekly news and opinion program featuring provocative commentary and exclusive interviews. Smiley is also co-host of "Smiley & West," a weekly current affairs and political program featuring one of America's favorite public intellectuals Cornel West. Smiley is the author of 14 books including his bestselling memoir, What I Know for Sure: My Story of Growing Up in America. He founded the Tavis Smiley Foundation to provide leadership training skills to youth ages 13 to 18. For more information, visit:  www.tavistalks.com.

SOURCE Tavis Smiley Presents