Tavis Smiley on the State of the Black Union, Economic Inequality and the Obama Administration's Boycott of Durban II

On the last weekend of Black History Month, more than 6,000 people gathered in Los Angeles for the 10th annual State of the Black Union convention. Speakers included Jesse Jackson Sr, Al Sharpton, Congresswoman Maxine Waters, Republican National Committee Chairman Michael S. Steele, and writers Michael Eric Dyson, Lani Guinier, Van Jones, Randall Robinson, and Cornel West. President Obama also addressed the conference via video.

Tavis Smiley is the founder and organizer of the annual gathering. He is host of “Tavis Smiley” on PBS and “The Tavis Smiley Show from PRI.” Earlier this year he launched the first national traveling exhibition dedicated to the 400 year struggle of African-Americans. Its called “America I AM: The African-American Imprint.”

Smiley is also the author/editor of over a dozen books, including The New York Times best-sellers “Covenant With Black America,” “The Covenant in Action,” and “What I Know for Sure: My Story of Growing Up in America.” His latest book is the third in the covenant series. Its called “Accountable: Making America As Good As Its Promise.” Tavis Smiley joins me from Los Angeles, California.

Tavis Smiley, the host of “Tavis Smiley” on PBS and “The Tavis Smiley Show from PRI.” He is the founder and organizer of the annual State of the Black Union convention and the author/editor of over a dozen books, including The New York Times best-sellers “Covenant With Black America,” “The Covenant in Action,” and “What I Know for Sure: My Story of Growing Up in America.” His latest book is the third in the covenant series. Its called “Accountable: Making America As Good As Its Promise.”

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