Boyce D. Watkins
Financial Expert & Social Activist
Boyce D. Watkins, “The People’s Scholar,” is one of the leading social commentators…
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Full Bio
Boyce D. Watkins, “The People’s Scholar,” is one of the leading social commentators, black speakers, and freedom fighters in America. As an advocate for education, economic empowerment, and social justice, he has changed the definition of what it means to be a black scholar and leader in America. “We don’t need more PhD’s in the black community; we need more Ph.Dos.”
In addition to publishing many scholarly articles on finance and investing, Watkins shares his message with others, appearing in national media outlets, including CNN, Good Morning America, MSNBC, FOX News, BET, NPR, Essence, USA Today, The Today Show, ESPN, The Tom Joyner Morning Show and CBS Sports. Watkins appears in a weekly segment on Keeping it Real with Al Sharpton as a political expert. He is also the favored financial expert and social commentator for “The Wendy Williams Experience” with 11 million listeners nationwide.
Watkins has spoken to over 50,000 black youth about the benefits of obtaining a college education as part of his “Step Up and Go to College Tour.” In response to an announcement by President Obama, Watkins, along with Al Sharpton, Marc Lamont Hill, Jesse Jackson and other prominent black keynote speakers, are actively engaging in initiatives to combat the astronomical dropout rates for African American students.
As a financial speaker, he has advised black Americans through his series “Get your Paper Straight” and “Black Love, Black Money, Black Relationships” and through 150 national television, radio and print interviews in the last two years alone.
A faculty affiliate with the College Sports Research Institute at The University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, Watkins has endured firestorms of controversy for his willingness to honestly and intelligently address racial inequality in university hiring/tenure practices, NCAA athletics, the prison system, “mainstream media,” and the educational system. Featured on CNN, CBS, ESPN, and in The Washington Post and The Los Angeles Times, he has led the movement to properly compensate college athletes, many of whom live in poverty while their coaches make millions. He argues that the tax exempt status of the NCAA should be challenged, and they should no longer have an anti-trust exemption.
Watkins earned BA and BS degrees with a triple major in finance, economics and business management. In college, he was selected by The Wall Street Journal as the “Outstanding Graduating Senior in Finance.” He then earned a MA in mathematical statistics from The University of Kentucky and a PhD in finance from Ohio State University where he was the only black American in the world to earn a PhD in finance during 2002. He currently serves as a finance professor at Syracuse University.
Testimonials
Ernie was perfect for our Elders Conference at Little River Casino Resort in Manistee, Michigan. We will definitely be using PDA again!
LITTLE RIVER BAND OF OTTAWA INDIANS
Our speaker was great and the crowd enjoyed her! She was very engaging. Thank you again PDA for the great list of suggestions!
MEDTRONIC
Everything went great! and our speaker was wonderful! Thank you so much for all your help PDA! Looking forward to the next one.
UNIVERSITY OF MISSOURI – KANSAS CITY
I hope that this message finds you well. We had a phenomenal time with Atsuko this past Thursday. We wanted to just let you know how amazing she was. All those that were in attendance thoroughly enjoyed her and had nothing but amazing things to say about her. Thank you for working with us to make sure this happened!
BAYLOR UNIVERSITY CAMPUS
We had a fantastic day with Inge! She was very engaging with all those that attended. Her personal stories about the holocaust were very special and we were moved that she was willing to share them with everyone. Thank you again, PDA for all your hard work and dedication to make this program such a success!
SALT LAKE COMMUNITY COLLEGE
Dear PDA Group, Thank you so much for your hard work in scheduling our speaker! From the moment we reached out to you the first time, you worked with us on all details and logistics and kept us up-to-date on the progress. Thank you for all your hard work on making our event such a success! We couldn't have done it without you and your team!
SAP COMPANY
Thank you again, Dr. Kimbrough, for a great presentation, our attendees are still talking about it!
CAMPUS LABS
Dr. Henry Lee's presentation was entertaining, insightful and wise. I, and everyone at Pfizer, especially appreciate the remarks you directed about following your passion and preparing yourself to excel. Thank you, everyone, at PDA for helping to make this happen!
PFIZER
The event was successful! I received many messages expressing how awesome, outstanding and inspiring Ms. Webb-Christburg's speech was."
DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR. MEMORIAL BREAKFAST, BOSTON, MLK SPEAKER
Everything went well. Atsuko was very easy to work with and the students enjoyed her performance! Thank you again for your recommendation and I hope to work with you again in the future!
CENTRAL MICHIGAN UNIVERSITY
Dr. Novello left this morning after a very successful event on our campus! Thank you PDA Group for your help from the first phone to the last you were with us every step of the way.
GRAND VALLEY STATE UNIVERSITY
Jordan Carlos was very very entertaining! A majority of students who answered the event survey indicated they really enjoyed Jordan and definitely will bring him back!
WESTERN CAROLINA UNIVERSITY
On behalf of myself and my organization Entertainment Unlimited the Campus Programming Board of Ferris State University, we thank you PDA and Dan for a successful event!! Dan was magnificent! Students really enjoyed the presentation. I know I did. Can't wait to bring in more programs with PDA Group.
FERRIS STATE UNIVERSITY
It was a great pleasure to work with PDA Group! The communication was always prompt, friendly and helpful. We loved the speakers and events we booked through Mr. Peter Walker (PDA Group).
WESTERN MICHIGAN UNIVERSITY
Thank you, Peter, for all your help, you'll be happy to know that the event went incredibly well! Aneesa Ferreira was by far one of the best speakers we've ever had!
FURMAN UNIVERSITY
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