The Brain Food Lecture Series: Dillard welcomes Issa Rae

The biography of Dillard University’s President’s lecture series states, “… But a University should want to feed minds, so this series serves “Brain food,” hence, the name. Brain Food is intellectual sustenance; it’s information that feeds intellectual craving.”
The ‘Brain Food Lecture Series’ is said to be a vital part of the rich history of Dillard University. Dillard’s first official president, Mr. William Stuart Nelson, established the lecture series. When it launched in the 1930s, Nelson called it “The Aesthetic Spirit of Dillard.” The lecture series was geared toward building a closer relationship between the community and the students. It was also designed to elevate the awareness of the university throughout the nation.
In the 1950s, Albert Dent organized the ‘Edwin R. Embree Memorial Lecture Series,’ to help his students achieve a higher sense of social and personal values within their learning and thinking. His guests included; Jackie Robinson, Thurgood Marshall, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Mary McLeod Bethune and Eleanor Roosevelt.
Following suit, Mr. Broadus Butler succeeded Dent, establishing what was called ‘The Scholars and Statesmen Lecture Series’ during the latter portion of the 1960s.
The purpose of this particular lecture series was to align the student body with the distinguished people within the community who embodied excellence.
“…[And] just as many Americans suffer from obesity, diabetes, and high blood pressure due to poor diets, our intellectual diets are deficient, making us mentally malnourished and academically anemic. This series hopes to ensure this community has the proper intellectual diet to remain healthy and happy.”
Walter M. Kimbrough currently serves as the 7th president of Dillard University. The “Hip-Hop Pres.” has gained many accolades overtime. He is a member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Incorporated and is also the author of ‘Black Greek 101: The Culture, Customs, and Challenges of Black Fraternities and Sororities.’ Kimbrough was also mentioned in a 2010 issue of ‘Ebony Magazine’s Power 100 list of the doers and influencers in the African-American community.’ His initiatives for Dillard are similar to those aforementioned. A few of those objectives are as follows; Define and implement a unique Dillard undergraduate experience, improve career readiness of students, increase alumni engagement, and also to identify and document key traditions of the Dillard University.
Dillard University and President Kimbrough welcomed a woman of many hats, Issa Rae to speak during their historic lecture series. Rae is a well-known writer, producer, actress, and director. She is known for her most successful production ‘Insecure’ along with her first hit web series, “Awkward Black Girl.”
During the lecture, Kimbrough interviewed Rae based on her upbringing, collegiate life, the current nature of her career, and what’s next on her list of things to do. Issa reminisced about her previous failures with her web series’ and how she is both a procrastinator and impatient. She mentioned that when she was a 19 year-old Stanford student, the Los Angeles native would often say that she was going to get an Oscar. She stated that she was competing where she didn’t compare because she hadn’t done anything to either deserve, or receive an Oscar. Of the three web series’ that Issa created, “Awkward Black Girl” put her on the map. Now the Stanford Graduate has a hit series on HBO entitled “Insecure” which will be returning next year for it’s 3rd season.
Following the discussion, Kimbrough would open up the floodgate to the audience for a Q&A segment. “A Kenyan Proverb says it best: A wise man fills his brains before emptying his mouth. Brain Food aims to fill brains before mouths are emptied.”