Michael Davis Lecture Feb. 13, 2008 -- Rose Theatre

Sylvester Brown, Jr., Metro Columnist, St. Louis Post-Dispatch  will be speaking at this year's annual Michael Davis Lecture during Common Hour Feb. 13 in Rose Theatre.  The lecture is free and open to the public.

Brown, 48, was born and raised in St. Louis.  Prior to his position with the Post, Brown and his wife, Victoria, published Take Five Magazine, an investigative regional publication, for 15 years.  The publication received more than 35 awards for its investigative series, general reporting and Brown's political and social commentaries.

In December 2004, Brown's essay "Either Way, it's Missouri,” was featured in the photo/essay book Missouri 24/7 published by DK Books.  Brown won the 2005 Terry Hughes Writing Award from the St. Louis Newspaper Guild and two awards ("Best Column” and "Best Series”) from the St. Louis Association of Black Journalists.

Brown has been a guest on Fox network's "The O'Reilly Factor,” Air America Radio's, "Al Franken Show,” PRI's "The Tavis Smiley Show” and Syndication One's "The Michael Eric Dyson” radio programs.  Brown was also featured in a July 2005 segment of ABC's "Nightline” focusing on his community forum featuring comedian and philanthropist Dr. Bill Cosby.

Brown and his wife live with their two daughters in the city of St. Louis.  He has two older children and is also the grandfather of two.