By Dr. Sharon H. Porter | April 17, 2024 | 11:30 PM ET
Tabitha Brown | Photo Credit: Vision & Purpose LifeStyle Magazine and Media
The Ultimate North Carolina Girl, Tabitha Brown, visited Winston-Salem State University, an HBCU located in Winston-Salem, North Carolina.
In the heart of Winston-Salem, the Benton Convention Center recently played host to a remarkable convergence of inspiration, activism, and compassionate living. The prestigious Slater Speaker Series, curated by Winston-Salem State University, welcomed none other than the radiant author, actress, entrepreneur, and vegan advocate, Tabitha Brown, to its illustrious stage. With an aura that radiates positivity and a message that resonates with authenticity, Brown captivated audiences, leaving a lasting memory on all who attended.
Valonda Calloway welcoming Tabitha Brown to the stage | Photo Credit: Vision & Purpose LifeStyle Magazine and Media
Winston-Salem State University alumnus, Valonda Calloway, a former news anchor, moderated the event. In a Facebook post, Calloway wrote "I was so nervous. I wanted to make my beloved university proud. I had to take the same advice I give my presentation coaching clients — BREATHE DEEPLY. It works every time!"
Chancellor Anthony Graham shared the Welcome and the Occassion followed by greetings from The Honorable Mayor Allen Joines ( City of Winston-Salem) and sponsor remarks from Sheriff Bobby Kimbrough (Winston-Salem Forsyth County Sheriff's Office).
Chancellor Anthony Graham | Mayor Allen Joines | Sheriff Bobby Kimbrough
Photo Credit: Vision & Purpose LifeStyle Magazine and Media
As the lights dimmed and anticipation hung thick in the air, Tabitha Brown gracefully took center stage, her magnetic presence commanding attention from the outset. With a warm smile that could light up a room, she embarked on an impactful conversation with Calloway about her life's experiences, weaving together tales of triumph, resilience, and the power of self-discovery.
A beacon of empowerment, Brown shared her personal narrative, detailing the challenges she faced on her path to success and the pivotal moments that shaped her into the influential figure she is today. From humble beginnings of Eden North Carolina, by way of Stoneville, by way of Ruffin... to Hollywood acclaim, her journey resonated deeply with attendees, serving as a testament to the boundless potential within each individual.
Central to Brown's message was her unwavering commitment to living a vegan lifestyle—a choice rooted in compassion, sustainability, and holistic well-being. She spoke about how choosing to be vegan saved her life. With eloquence and passion, she also expressed her commitment to remaining positive even in the midst of negativity. Her contagious enthusiasm for positivity was felt throughout the room.
Throughout her captivating conversation with Calloway, Brown infused her trademark humor and down-to-earth demeanor, fostering an atmosphere of warmth and camaraderie. She effortlessly connected with attendees on a personal level, imparting wisdom gleaned from her own life experiences and encouraging them to embrace authenticity and self-love.
As the evening drew to a close, the audience rose to their feet in thunderous applause, expressing their gratitude for Brown's transformative words and infectious energy. Brown took time to speak with attendees and signed her autograph after the event was over.
The Slater Speaker Series delivered an unforgettable experience, leaving a lasting impact on all who had the privilege of bearing witness to Tabitha Brown's luminous presence.
In an age marked by uncertainty and division, Tabitha Brown stands as a beacon of hope—a testament to the power of resilience, compassion, and the unwavering belief in the potential for positive change. As her words echoed through the hallowed halls of the Benton Convention Center, they served as a rallying cry for unity, empowerment, and the pursuit of a brighter tomorrow.. AND THAT'S HER BUSINESS!
You can view a full feature of this event in the July/August 2024 print issue of Vision & Purpose LifeStyle Magazine.
Chancellor Graham, Tabitha Brown, and Sheriff Kimbrough displaying the "W" for "Winston"
Photo Credit: Vision & Purpose LifeStyle Magazine and Media
The event was in partnership with Winston-Salem State University and the Forsyth County Sheriff's Office.
About Valonda Calloway
Valonda Calloway graduated cum laude from Winston-Salem State University and began her career in media as a writer and reporter with Voice of America radio in Washington, DC. She returned to North Carolina and worked as a news reporter and anchor for WNCT-TV in Greenville, and as an anchor and reporter for WRAL-TV in Raleigh. She also hosted WNCN’s lifestyle show, “My Carolina Today.” A dancer and cheerleader for WSSU and the NFL’s Washington Football Team, she was inducted into the C.E. Gaines Hall of Fame in 2015. She is an adjunct faculty member at North Carolina State University.
About Tabitha Brown
The North Carolina born, Emmy award-winning actress, vegan food personality, mother, and wife is a three-time New York Times bestselling author and multi-NAACP Image Award winner, who received an honorary doctorate degree from the Savannah College of Art and Design. She has acted in notable theatrical features on major networks such as Showtime’s, “The Chi"; executive produced and hosted Food Network’s first-ever vegan cooking competition show, “It’s CompliPlated”; and co-created and hosts her own children’s show, “Tab Time.”
Taking various business ventures by storm, she is the co-founder and CEO of her own healthy haircare line, Donna’s Recipe, and has launched multi-category product lines with major retailer Target. She never fails to bring sunshine to everyone’s kitchens with her signature McCormick seasonings blends and mixes … because that’s her business!
About Winston-Salem State University
Winston-Salem State University is a bold, vibrant and diverse academic community that fosters the creative thinking, analytical problem-solving, and depth of character graduates need to transform themselves and their world. These values embody our motto, “Enter to Learn. Depart to Serve."
Founded in 1892, WSSU enjoys a distinguished reputation as a historically black constituent institution of the University of North Carolina that offers a rich curriculum rooted in a high-quality, liberal education. Our undergraduate and graduate students can choose from many innovative areas of study designed to equip them with the skills and knowledge needed to develop creative solutions to today’s—and tomorrow’s—complex problems.
