ATLANTA – On Thursday, Sept. Sept 14, radio and television host Rashad Richey, Ph.D., delivered a powerful keynote speech at the fall 2023 convocation at Clark Atlanta University. Richey, a 2018 CAU doctoral graduate from the School of Education, infused physics theories and lessons in his address seemingly gleaned from Big Mamma and Einstein in his address. Several poignant themes struck a chord with the captivated audience; every action has a response; changing the world means you must own your narrative; when you allow others to judge you, your potential is limited.
"Everything has a response, regardless of time and distance," said Richey, who is a multidisciplinary scholar and a physics professor. "Everything is connected." And Richey highlighted the theory of the so-called "observer effect." This is the notion that human measurement will change the very nature of what is being measured. It was almost to suggest that the act of paying close attention to the powers that be — law enforcement, elected leaders, or business executives —may have the effect of changing adverse behavior toward marginalized communities.
Richey also discussed how journalists in the newsroom he oversees as president of rolling out magazine are encouraged to tell stories through their experience and culture. Of course, this is the opposite of how journalism has traditionally said stories should be told. But Richey asserted it is foolish to think one can block out their life experiences and culture in storytelling. In fact, it is a disservice to the audience was Richey's point. As students peered through sunglasses and fanned themselves like churchgoers on a hot summer day at Bible study, he implored them to own their narrative by embracing their experiences, exposures, and environment. He said students will be able to tell their own complex stories with "integrity and insight," while transforming misleading cultural narratives. In other words, embrace
what makes you different, he demanded.
CAU president, George T. French Jr., Ph.D., and Rashad Richey
Perhaps the part of his speech in which students paid the most attention was when Richey cautioned them against allowing others to judge them. "Don't let anyone measure you," he said. "Don't let anyone limit you. When you do, you leave the place of potentiality and fall into the place of a fixed particle," another physics reference that resonated with the crowd. Suddenly, the students' eyes opened a little wider, they leaned in closer and the aha moment was realized. They got exactly what they were there for, a big dose of encouragement to go forth and be the best version of themselves.
To close out the speech, Richey brought the crowd back to his original premise of changing one's perspective to transform the world, and he directly linked that idea to one of CAU's mottos, "I'll find a way or make one." If audience applause and head nods by CAU president George T. French Jr. were any indication, the students received the speech in grand fashion.
–Mario Boone, writer and fashionista
Dr. Rashad Richey, host of the award-winning 'Rashad Richey Morning Show' on News & Talk 1380 – WAOK/V-103FM (HD3) (Weekdays 7am -10am), and the 'Dr. Rashad Richey Review' on SiriusXM's Urban View (Sundays at 1pm and 9pm), was voted 'Best Talk Radio Personality in Atlanta' by readers of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution and named 'Most Trusted Voice in Atlanta' by the Atlanta Business Journal, making him the first African-American to receive these distinctions.
The intelligent and fearless television news anchor for the opinion news show, 'Indisputable with Dr. Rashad Richey' on the TYT Network, which was named 'fastest growing TV news show in America', and Political Commentator for The People's Station V-103 FM, America's largest urban station, also serves as President of Rolling Out, the largest free-print urban publication in the country. This multimedia powerhouse with over 3-million combined subscribers/followers on Facebook Watch, YouTube, Podcasts, and Twitch combined, is a noted multidisciplinary academic scholar and university professor/lecturer and an Emmy-nominated television Political Analyst for CBS News Atlanta.
Believing in the power of knowledge and education, Dr. Richey holds several advanced degrees, making him one of the most academically credentialed individuals in American history according to America News Now. Completing doctoral research studies in federal policy reform from Clark Atlanta University, Dr. Richey also holds a PhD from the Business University of Costa Rica where his research and doctoral dissertation highlighted the nuances and intersectionality of politics, policy and religion.
Being a student of leadership, Dr. Richey completed studies in Executive Leadership at Cornell University and was accepted into a specialty executive law program at Harvard University in International Finance: Policy, Regulation, and Transactions. Understanding the connectivity of culture and science, Dr. Richey earned his Master of Science in Neuroscience from the University of Pacific, where his master's thesis researched cognitive functionalities of brain entrainment. Dr. Richey also completed a Master of Science in Applied Physics and Quantum Mechanics from Universidad Empresarial, his master's thesis was adapted into a book titled, 'Ancient Egyptian Mastery of Quantum Physics, Vibratory Frequency, and Geometric Sciences: An Overview of Complex Scientific Applications in Ancient Cultures', which quickly became the #1 Physics, #1 Science, #1 History, and #1 Egyptian Genre b0ok on the Amazon platform.
As an executive leader, Dr. Richey says it's imperative to combine business practices with compassionate leadership principles, which was a primary focus when completing his Master of Business Administration (MBA) program at Beulah Heights University. Dr. Richey also holds a Master of Laws (LL.M) in Humanitarian Studies from the University of Renaissance and a Doctor of Law in International Law (ABD) from the research institution, Azteca University.
He is currently in the final leg of completing his Juris Doctor (Law Degree) from Birmingham Law School and dually enrolled in a PhD in Quantum Physics program, which is a collaborative between the Clark Atlanta University physics department and the School of Life Information Science & Engineering at Asia Pacific School of Business.
As host of The Rashad Richey Morning Show, Dr. Richey has interviewed everyone from Vice-President Kamala Harris to TI, and always brings relevant information, the best on-air debates, and most insightful interviews in media. Tune in every weekday morning from 7am-10am on News and Talk 1380-WAOK, V-103FM (HD3), www.WAOK.com, or on the Audacy App.
