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Fonzworth Bentley Visits Philander Smith
Dan Pierce
Hip hop artist, fashion icon, and former personal assistant to Sean "P. Diddy" Combs Fonzworth Bentley visited Philander Smith College on Wednesday, Oct. 29 as part of the college's "Bless the Mic: Chopped and Screwed" lecture series and the Black Male Initiative program.
Bentley, who was accompanied by his manager and father Fred Watkins (Atlanta, Ga.), made the most of his first-time trip to Little Rock, stopping first by radio station HOT 96.5 FM for an in-studio interview with on-air personality Toni Seville (a Philander alumna). After dropping words of wisdom and plugging his upcoming projects to listeners, Bentley headed to Hall High School for a surprise visit with more than 100 students assembled by Principal Rhonda Hall.
Before his lecture, Bentley spent time with members of the Bless the Mic Street Team, signing copies of his book, Advance Your Swagger, and posing for photographs. Later in the M.L. Harris Auditorium, more than 500 people heard him speak about redefining cool because, as he said, we seem to be living in "the golden age of disrespect." The MTV reality show star of From G's to Gents talked movingly about having faith in God and shared his strategies for success in the entertainment industry.
Afterwards, the Morehouse College graduate signed more books, took more photos, and signed autographs.
Bless the Mic Street Team members get private time with Bentley.
The regular Bless the Mic series will return at 7 p.m. Monday, Nov. 10 in the M.L. Harris Auditorium featuring journalist and political commentator Roland Martin. Come hear Martin's savvy analysis of the 2008 election season. The lecture is free and open to the public.