Tavis Smiley is an author, lecturer, political commentator and the host of the "BET Tonight" show on Black Entertainment Television for five years.

Smiley is the author of five books including How to Make Black America Better, published January [2001]. He writes the Smiley Report newsletter and appears regularly on the Tom Joyner Morning Show on the ABC radio network. He left "BET Tonight" March [2001]. He is a correspondent or frequent contributor to ABC's "Prime Time Thursday," "Good Morning America," CNN and National Public Radio. Smiley has interviewed former President William J. Clinton, Pope John Paul II and Fidel Castro. He was an aide to former Los Angeles Mayor Tom Bradley.

Smiley, who attended the University of Indiana, has also appeared on C-SPAN, "Politically Incorrect with Bill Maher," the "Today" show and "World News Tonight with Peter Jennings." He was profiled on "60 Minutes."

Smiley is the founder of the Tavis Smiley Foundation, a nonprofit organization which aims to encourage, empower and enlighten black youth. He also created The Smiley Group, Inc., which organizes symposia, seminars, forums and town hall meetings around the country.