Michael Pittman The Truth Will Make You Free, But First It Will Make You Uncomfortable Company: Capital City Courier Location: Springfield, Illinois Website: www.capitalcitycourier.org

Biography:
Michael Pittman is the editor of the nationally and internationally recognized Capital City Courier newspaper. His newspaper has been called one of the fastest growing black newspapers in the country. It’s willingness to ask the tough question of the black community has resulted in dialogue being created throughout the world.

Topics such as “Why Can’t Blacks Work Together”, “Dark Skin Blacks verses Light Skinned Blacks”, “Good Hair verses Bad Hair”, and “Why Can’t Blacks Hold on to a Dollar” have been the basis of discussion from internet blogs and chat rooms as well as nationally syndicated radio and television talk shows. His newspaper has also been featured in Editor and Publisher magazine which is the one of the oldest trade journals in the United States.

He also served as the host and producer of the “Let the Truth Be Told” radio talk show that aired on Voice America radio that featured such guests as Dr. Alvin Poussaint, Boyce Watkins, Janks Morton, Dr. Claude Anderson, and Dr. Julia Hare. His ability to speak openly and candidly on issues had made Michael one of the country’s most sought after commentators on black economic issues.

An entrepreneur in his own right, Michael has owned a string of businesses that has employed numerous blacks and has also been involved in millions of dollars of major economic development projects as a developer and builder that have uplifted the black community. He is also the founder and former President of the Springfield Black Chamber of Commerce. He has received awards such as the Illinois Legislative Black Caucus Economic Development award, Entrepreneur of the Year by the Illinois Times, Minority Business Person of the Year by the Springfield Chamber of Commerce as well as economic development awards from the NAACP and The Urban League. His first book titled “The Serial Entrepreneur” is scheduled for release in 2008.

In addition to being a newspaper editor and entrepreneur, Michael is also a former professional baseball player having been a pitcher in the St. Louis Cardinals baseball organization for six years. He also has a Bachelor degree in Labor Relations from the University of Illinois at Springfield.

Michael has been a guest various radio talk shows throughout the country as well as having been a guest on several television shows and the subject of numerous news reports.

Michael was raised in public housing by his mother in St. Louis Missouri. Michael has been married to his wife Sherry for 22 years and he has two children, Michael and Denise.

Availability:
Available as a speaker and consultant