T.I. talks leadership and social issues at Biscayne Bay Campus

The Student Government Council at the Biscayne Bay Campus held their annual lecture series, this time featuring award-winning artist Clifford "T.I." Harris. The event was moderated by SGC-BBC President Jefferson Noel.

Gabriella Pinos/Assistant Entertainment Director

Grammy-award winning artist Clifford “T.I.” Harris visited the Biscayne Bay Campus on Thursday, March 28, to speak to students about leadership and issues surrounding the black community.

Harris visited the University as part of the Student Government Council at BBC’s ongoing lecture series. Jefferson Noel, president of SGC-BBC, moderated the lecture, which was followed by a question and answer session with FIU students.

“I really just want to be insightful, be honest and genuine, and hopefully somebody out there can relate to some things that we’re saying and use it to their benefit in some way, shape or form,” said Harris in an interview with Student Media.

Shenell Walker, a junior and broadcast media major, attended the lecture and enjoyed the topics Harris and Noel brought up.

“I felt that the conversation was good,” she said. “I believe [Harris] was able to bring some things to clarity about gentrification and things that we could do about our community.”

During the lecture, Harris also touched upon how college students can make a change in their community and in the world.

“If you want to be a part of the next generation that will disrupt and dismantle the bricks of oppression set in front of you, you can’t follow the steps of a predecessor,” he said. “If you want better, you must do better.”

Alexandra Jean-Lestin, a freshman studying criminal justice, was surprised at how much she related to Harris during the lecture.

“He’s a very articulate, intricate person,” said Jean-Lestin. “I never knew that he portrayed that in real life.”

While Harris said there’s no specific thing he wants students to take away from the lecture, he hopes they can learn how to use their strengths and talents to help them grow into the person they were meant to become.

“You kind of got to continue connecting the dots and progress and evolve and diversify yourself, and once you get to apply that intellectual property in the world, you’ll know…where you want to be in life,” said Harris.

Additional reporting by Brea Jones. Featured photo by Brea Jones.

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