The Multicultural Student Center Presents Hill Harper as the Black History Month Keynote speaker for 2014. For more information, please contact Saraya Perry at mscasd@ucf.edu
Hill Harper has won legions of admirers for his soulful portrayal of "Dr. Sheldon Hawkes" on the hit drama series CSI: New York. A talented actor, Harper's passion for his craft is surpassed only by his dedication to inspire America's youth. A firm believer that identity is not defined by skin color or circumstance, the charismatic Harper encourages audiences to "take your biggest dream, and double it."
Harper pursued his education with the same intensity he infuses into his characters, graduating Magna Cum Laude from Brown University and earning graduate degrees in Law and Public Administration from Harvard. He knew early on that education would be the key to his personal success, realizing that to truly thrive one must also help others accomplish their goals. Despite being told repeatedly that "young black people don't read," Harper wrote Letters to a Young Brother, a book that aimed to uplift and provide practical guidance to young African Americans. The book became a bestseller, earning Harper multiple NAACP Image Awards. His subsequent companion book, Letters to a Young Sister, brought together many of this generation's most powerful female voices, and also became an acclaimed bestseller.
Harper's most recent and last non-fiction book is entitled Letters to an Incarcerated Brother, being released November 2013. After receiving countless letters from incarcerated men and women battling for a better future for themselves and their families, Harper knew he had to do something. The book is the culmination of years of research and interaction with those incarcerated from across this country.
Wanting to make a mark past his writing, Harper works to enable positive social change as a spokesman and volunteer for Big Brothers, Big Sisters. Today, he continues in his efforts to better America's social climate and guide our youth as a strong and articulate voice for hope, education, and commitment.
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