Beatrice Thompson, News Anchor and Talk Show Host

Wednesday, October 24
Sarah Belk Gambrell Auditorium
7:30 p.m.

Beatrice Thompson is a broadcast veteran in the Carolinas with more than 3 decades of experience in television, radio and public relations.  A native of Charlotte, Thompson attended Charlotte Mecklenburg schools and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, where she majored in radio and television broadcasting. 

She began her broadcast career at WBTV Channel 3 in Charlotte—where she was the first African American female news anchor in the city—anchoring the morning and midday newscasts.   She also co-hosted the station’s entertainment show, “Back Stage after Dark.”  Thompson went on to be corporate spokeswoman for Duke Power Company, now Duke Energy, one of the major energy producing corporations in America.  She specialized in environmental issues. NBC News in Charlotte was Thompson’s next step, where she served as morning news anchor, with 11 years that included reporting and broadcast specials. 

Currently Thompson is News and Public Affairs Director of WBAV 101.9 FM, a CBS Station.  She anchors a daily top rated news show, “The Front Page with Beatrice Thompson” and the highly rated Sunday talk show, “Straight Talk with Bea Thompson.”  She is also host of “Queen City Limits,” a television talk show in cooperation with the city of Charlotte. 

Thompson has received numerous journalistic and community involvement awards, and sits on several boards and advisory committees across the region.  She is the proud mother of a teenage daughter, Jamila Omari Rasheed.  Thompson is a history and trivia buff, who loves to bake and travel.  She also has an affinity for riding motorcycles.

Lyceum Series
Fall 2008 - Spring 2009 Calendar

Click on speaker's name for more information.

Fall 2008

Wednesday, September 10, 2008 - Patrice Gaines, Award Winning Journalist
"The Power of One: Making Change, Making Connections"
Sarah Belk Gambrell Auditorium
7:30 p.m.

Tuesday, September 16, 2008 - Winston Crisp, Assistant Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs, University of North Carolina—Chapel Hill
“WE THE PEOPLE . . .
The United States Constitution: Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow”
Sarah Belk Gambrell Auditorium
7:30 p.m.

Wednesday, September 24, 2008 - Dr. Arlie Petters , Mathematician
"Science, Entrepreneurship, and Financial Success"
Sarah Belk Gambrell Auditorium
7:30 p.m.

Wednesday, November 5, 2008 - Al Young, California State Poet Laureate and Woodrow Wilson Fellow
Sarah Belk Gambrell Auditorium
7:30 p.m.

Thursday, November 13, 2008 - Leon Bates, Pianist
Recital
Jane M. Smith Memorial Church
7:30 p.m.

SPRING 2009

THE FINE ARTS EXAMINE THE MEDICAL ARTS
An Exhibit of Commissioned Paintings about the Training for and the Practice of Medicine and Surgery
Sponsored by The Dr. William M. Scholl College of Podiatric Medicine of Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science, North Chicago, Illinois
(Johnson C. Smith students can earn two Lyceum credits by attending the events connected with the Medical Arts Exhibit)
Sarah Belk Gambrell Auditorium
7:30 p.m.

EXHIBITION
FREE & OPEN TO THE PUBLIC
January 12 through January 30, 2009
Edward E. Crutchfield Center for Integrated Studies
HOURS
Monday through Friday, Noon-5:00 p.m.
(Free Parking in Gymnasium Lot, Next to Crutchfield Center)

Wednesday, January 14, 2009 - David McKay, Curator; James Fullwood, Johnson C. Smith University Alumnus
"The Fine Arts Examine the Medical Arts"
Lecture

Wednesday, January 21, 2009
William Shakespeare’s
“The Comedy of Errors”
Performed by
The American Shakespeare Center Touring Company
Sarah Belk Gambrell Auditorium
7:30 p.m.

Thursday, February 5, 2009 - Bryan Ferguson, Film Director and Johnson C. Smith Alumnus
"The Death of Murphy"
Charlotte Film Premier and Q&A with Director
Sarah Belk Gambrell Auditorium
7:30 p.m.

Wednesday, March 25, 2009 - Dr. Anjail Rashida Ahmad, Poet
Fourteenth Annual World of Words Poetry Festival
Writing Workshop
Lionel H. Newsom Humanities Building, Room 108
4:00 p.m.
Public Reading
Sarah Belk Gambrell Auditorium
7:30 p.m.

Thursday, March 26, 2009 - Indigo Moor, Poet
Fourteenth World of Words Poetry Festival
Writing Workshop
Lionel H. Newsom Humanities Building, Room 108
4:00 p.m.
Public Reading
Sarah Belk Gambrell Auditorium
7:30 p.m.

Friday, March 27, 2009 - Black Ink Monks Performance Poetry
Fourteenth World of Words Poetry Festival
Public Reading
Sarah Belk Gambrell AuditoriumM
7:30 p.m.

Thursday - Friday, April 2 - 3, 2009 - The Colored Museum by George C. Wolfe
JCSU Ira B. Aldridge Drama Guild Performance
Sarah Belk Gambrell Auditorium
7:30 p.m.