NCCU Rock the Lyceum Series Welcomes Music Executive and Reality TV Star Yandy Smith-Harris

Date

Apr 27, 2023

Time

7 p.m.

Location

H.M. Michaux Jr. School of Education Auditorium

Admission

Free and open to the public

Add to Calendar 2023-04-27 19:00:00 2024-11-23 18:47:26 NCCU Rock the Lyceum Series Welcomes Music Executive and Reality TV Star Yandy Smith-Harris Join us for the final Rock the Lyceum lecture of the school year! The North Carolina Central University Rock the Lyceum lecture series concludes for the 2022–2023 academic year by welcoming music executive and reality TV star Yandy Smith-Harris on Thursday, April 27, at 7 p.m. The event, which is free and open to the public, will take place in the H.M. Michaux Jr. School of Education auditorium at 700 Cecil St. Doors open at 6:15 p.m. Smith began her career as a music business executive for multimedia conglomerate Violator Management. There, she worked alongside the likes of LL Cool J, 50 Cent, Missy Elliott, Busta Rhymes and Mona Scott-Young. During this time, Smith also received global recognition as one of Billboard Magazine’s "Top 30 Executives Under 30." From the music industry, Smith migrated to television, where she created the Love & Hip-Hop (LHH) franchise. While serving as a producer on season one of LHH and after nudging from mentor Mona Scott-Young, she made the decision to become a cast member. The decision to move from behind the camera to on-screen talent has made her a household name and inspiration for women and girls around the world. Smith has amassed an impressive resume, which includes the authoring of two books, an e-guide titled “The Beauty of Marketing in Business” and a children’s publication titled “My Blended Family.” She is also the founder of beauty brand YELLE. Skincare Inc., and co-founder of lifestyle brand Everything Girls Love (EGL) LLC and non-profit organization Partners Uplifting Our Daughters and Sons (PUDS) Inc. Furthermore, she has served as executive producer of films such as “Life, Love, Soul” (2012), “Percy” (2020) and “Nine Days” (2020) through a partnership with Mansa Productions. While she’s incredibly proud of her accomplishments, she’s most proud to be a mother to son Omere Harris, daughter Skylar Harris and foster daughter Infinity Gillard; her role as a mentor to the young people she encounters through her non-profit organization; serving as a motivational speaker and voice of hope for aspiring female entrepreneurs all over the world; and her role as a member of the board of directors for social justice organization Until Freedom, through which she has been on the frontlines using her platform and influence to bring attention to racial injustice, systemic racism and economic disparities in urban neighborhoods. The Rock the Lyceum lecture series is hosted by NCCU’s University College, the Office of Student Engagement and Leadership and the Lyceum Committee. The series brings in several of the nation’s top entrepreneurs and thought leaders to engage students in relevant education, entertainment, politics and social justice topics. Past speakers include J. Alphonse Nicholson, Michael Rainey Jr., Keke Palmer, Angela Rye, T.I., Michael Vick, Roland Martin and Phylicia Rashad, among others. Public parking for the event is available in the H.M. Michaux Jr. School of Education (front surface lot), Miller-Morgan, and Criminal Justice surface lots. For more information, contact the Office of Student Engagement and Leadership at 919-530-5436. Media Parking and Interview Requests Media parking is available in the H.M. Michaux Jr. School of Education back surface lot. Yandy Smith-Harris is available for interviews on Thursday, April 27, from 8 p.m. to 8:15 p.m. For scheduling, complete the interview request form or contact Ariel V. Germain, director of communications at marketing for the NCCU Division of Student Affairs, at [email protected]. About North Carolina Central University: North Carolina Central University (NCCU) prepares students to succeed in the global marketplace. Consistently ranked as a top Historically Black College or University, NCCU offers flagship programs in the sciences, education, law, business, nursing and the arts. Founded in 1910 and located in the Research Triangle Region, NCCU remains committed to diversity in and access to higher education. The university, which offers bachelor’s degrees in more than 100 disciplines, master’s degrees in more than 40 areas, and a Ph.D. in Integrated Biosciences, has an expanding academic portfolio that meets current and future workforce demands in industries from clinical research to information technology. NCCU’s signature graduate and undergraduate degrees are housed in seven colleges and schools. NCCU is a leader in the scientific study of health disparities and provides students with the opportunity to gain laboratory skills and experience working with faculty researchers and pharmaceutical and biotechnology industry professionals in two, state-of-the-art research institutes that are housed on campus. For more information, visit www.nccu.edu or call 919-530-6100. North Carolina Central University [email protected] America/New_York public

Join us for the final Rock the Lyceum lecture of the school year!

The North Carolina Central University Rock the Lyceum lecture series concludes for the 2022–2023 academic year by welcoming music executive and reality TV star Yandy Smith-Harris on Thursday, April 27, at 7 p.m. The event, which is free and open to the public, will take place in the H.M. Michaux Jr. School of Education auditorium at 700 Cecil St. Doors open at 6:15 p.m.

Smith began her career as a music business executive for multimedia conglomerate Violator Management. There, she worked alongside the likes of LL Cool J, 50 Cent, Missy Elliott, Busta Rhymes and Mona Scott-Young. During this time, Smith also received global recognition as one of Billboard Magazine’s "Top 30 Executives Under 30." From the music industry, Smith migrated to television, where she created the Love & Hip-Hop (LHH) franchise. While serving as a producer on season one of LHH and after nudging from mentor Mona Scott-Young, she made the decision to become a cast member. The decision to move from behind the camera to on-screen talent has made her a household name and inspiration for women and girls around the world.

Smith has amassed an impressive resume, which includes the authoring of two books, an e-guide titled “The Beauty of Marketing in Business” and a children’s publication titled “My Blended Family.” She is also the founder of beauty brand YELLE. Skincare Inc., and co-founder of lifestyle brand Everything Girls Love (EGL) LLC and non-profit organization Partners Uplifting Our Daughters and Sons (PUDS) Inc. Furthermore, she has served as executive producer of films such as “Life, Love, Soul” (2012), “Percy” (2020) and “Nine Days” (2020) through a partnership with Mansa Productions.

While she’s incredibly proud of her accomplishments, she’s most proud to be a mother to son Omere Harris, daughter Skylar Harris and foster daughter Infinity Gillard; her role as a mentor to the young people she encounters through her non-profit organization; serving as a motivational speaker and voice of hope for aspiring female entrepreneurs all over the world; and her role as a member of the board of directors for social justice organization Until Freedom, through which she has been on the frontlines using her platform and influence to bring attention to racial injustice, systemic racism and economic disparities in urban neighborhoods.

The Rock the Lyceum lecture series is hosted by NCCU’s University College, the Office of Student Engagement and Leadership and the Lyceum Committee. The series brings in several of the nation’s top entrepreneurs and thought leaders to engage students in relevant education, entertainment, politics and social justice topics. Past speakers include J. Alphonse Nicholson, Michael Rainey Jr., Keke Palmer, Angela Rye, T.I., Michael Vick, Roland Martin and Phylicia Rashad, among others.

Public parking for the event is available in the H.M. Michaux Jr. School of Education (front surface lot), Miller-Morgan, and Criminal Justice surface lots.

For more information, contact the Office of Student Engagement and Leadership at 919-530-5436.

Media Parking and Interview Requests

Media parking is available in the H.M. Michaux Jr. School of Education back surface lot.

Yandy Smith-Harris is available for interviews on Thursday, April 27, from 8 p.m. to 8:15 p.m. For scheduling, complete the interview request form or contact Ariel V. Germain, director of communications at marketing for the NCCU Division of Student Affairs, at [email protected].

About North Carolina Central University:

North Carolina Central University (NCCU) prepares students to succeed in the global marketplace. Consistently ranked as a top Historically Black College or University, NCCU offers flagship programs in the sciences, education, law, business, nursing and the arts. Founded in 1910 and located in the Research Triangle Region, NCCU remains committed to diversity in and access to higher education. The university, which offers bachelor’s degrees in more than 100 disciplines, master’s degrees in more than 40 areas, and a Ph.D. in Integrated Biosciences, has an expanding academic portfolio that meets current and future workforce demands in industries from clinical research to information technology. NCCU’s signature graduate and undergraduate degrees are housed in seven colleges and schools. NCCU is a leader in the scientific study of health disparities and provides students with the opportunity to gain laboratory skills and experience working with faculty researchers and pharmaceutical and biotechnology industry professionals in two, state-of-the-art research institutes that are housed on campus. For more information, visit www.nccu.edu or call 919-530-6100.

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