Tavis Smiley, the author of “Accountable” who does not want to be held accountable for the predatory business practices of his sponsor, has pulled the plug on his annual talkfest, State of the Black Union.
The Associated Press reports:
Though Tavis severed ties with title sponsor Wells Fargo, the AP reports money was not an issue:After 10 years, Tavis Smiley is ending his annual State of the Black Union conference, which spawned best-selling books and his critical stance toward Barack Obama.
[…]
Smiley also said that, unlike a decade ago, black issues now are being addressed by numerous other media outlets, commentators and bloggers.
The State of the Black Union “doesn't have the premium that it used to have - and that's a good thing,” Smiley told The Associated Press.
Smiley said money was not a factor in ending the series — which cost “well over seven figures” each year and was free to the public — because Exxon Mobil and Nationwide Insurance had committed to major sponsorship deals in 2010.
Yeah, whatever.
They say if you can’t say something good about someone, then don’t say anything at all. Tavis’ State of the Black Union is dead. Good.
