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When I read about the predatory lending allegations against Tavis Smiley and Wells Fargo, I wasn't surprised. Not because I feel that Tavis is some kind of crook, but because economic downturns are usually when everyone's dirty laundry gets aired out. The high flying 2000s were a decade of extravagance, overspending, easy money and troubled relationships. The party was bound to end. Smiley's party has ended with Wells Fargo, as the company has been accused of using Tavis Smiley and financial expert Kelvin Boston to convince African Americans to sign on to loans that turned out to be predatory. Neither Boston nor Smiley is willing to disclose the amount they were paid for the service, but I'm sure it wasn't chump change.
I've been open and honest in my critiques of Tavis Smiley in the past, but I give credit where it's due. I've always felt that Tavis Smiley is a man who works out of a sincere respect and appreciation for the black community. He is not out to hoodwink, swindle or hurt us, at least not deliberately. At worst, Smiley is guilty of being caught in a situation that he may not have fully understood.
Although I agree with the black community's decision to hold Tavis Smiley accountable for his actions, I want us to be cautious of going overboard in our judgments. Here are 5 things I want to say about Tavis Smiley:
1) Don't throw Tavis under the bus. African Americans can be tough on our public figures. After Smiley's repeated calls for accountability against President Obama, many failed to appreciate the value of scrutinizing our elected officials. While Tavis' close relationship with Hillary Clinton undermined the credibility of his challenges to Obama, the truth is that accountability is very important when dealing with any politician. One must respect Tavis for having the willingness to say things that are unpopular, which even Obama himself doesn't always have the courage to do.
2) Beware of corporate sponsors bearing gifts. One of the greatest barriers to social progress for African Americans has been our inability to properly assess those who sponsor our activities. Any corporation that comes along with a signed check can usually find a place at our table. Would you want your teenage daughter taking money from any boy who offered it to her? Probably not, because you know that the the boy might be expecting "repayment" at the end of the night. The same is true for corporate sponsors, who are paying you to present the kind of image they want the public to see.
Tavis Smiley Pics
WASHINGTON - AUGUST 23: (EDITORIAL USE ONLY, TABLOIDS OUT) In this handout photo provided by NBC Universal, (L-R) Tavis Smiley, host of PRI's "The Tavis Smiley Show", and Joe Scarborough, host of MSNBC's "Morning Joe", appear on "Meet the Press" with moderator David Gregory at NBC studios August 23, 2009 in Washington, DC. Tavis Smiley and Joe Scarborough discussed health care legislation. (Photo by William B. Plowman/NBC NewsWire via Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Joe Scarborough;Tavis Smiley;David Gregory
Getty Images
WASHINGTON - AUGUST 23: (EDITORIAL USE ONLY, TABLOIDS OUT) In this handout photo provided by NBC Universal, Joe Scarborough, host of MSNBC's "Morning Joe", appears on "Meet the Press" at NBC studios August 23, 2009 in Washington, DC. Tavis Smiley and Joe Scarborough discussed health care legislation. (Photo by William B. Plowman/NBC NewsWire via Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Joe Scarborough
Getty Images
WASHINGTON - AUGUST 23: (EDITORIAL USE ONLY, TABLOIDS OUT) In this handout photo provided by NBC Universal, Tavis Smiley (L), host of PRI's "The Tavis Smiley Show", and Joe Scarborough, host of MSNBC's "Morning Joe", appear on "Meet the Press" at NBC studios August 23, 2009 in Washington, DC. Tavis Smiley and Joe Scarborough discussed health care legislation. (Photo by William B. Plowman/NBC NewsWire via Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Joe Scarborough;Tavis Smiley
Getty Images
WASHINGTON - AUGUST 23: (EDITORIAL USE ONLY, TABLOIDS OUT) In this handout photo provided by NBC Universal, (L-R) Tavis Smiley, host of PRI's "The Tavis Smiley Show", and Joe Scarborough, host of MSNBC's "Morning Joe", appear on "Meet the Press" with moderator David Gregory at NBC studios August 23, 2009 in Washington, DC. Tavis Smiley and Joe Scarborough discussed health care legislation. (Photo by William B. Plowman/NBC NewsWire via Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** David Gregory;Joe Scarborough;Tavis Smiley
Getty Images
WASHINGTON - AUGUST 23: (EDITORIAL USE ONLY, TABLOIDS OUT) In this handout photo provided by NBC Universal, Tavis Smiley, host of PRI's "The Tavis Smiley Show", appears on "Meet the Press" at NBC studios August 23, 2009 in Washington, DC. Tavis Smiley and Joe Scarborough discussed health care legislation. (Photo by William B. Plowman/NBC NewsWire via Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Tavis Smiley
Getty Images
WASHINGTON - AUGUST 23: (EDITORIAL USE ONLY, TABLOIDS OUT) In this handout photo provided by NBC Universal, Joe Scarborough (L), host of MSNBC's "Morning Joe", appears on "Meet the Press" with moderator David Gregory at NBC studios August 23, 2009 in Washington, DC. Tavis Smiley and Joe Scarborough discussed health care legislation. (Photo by William B. Plowman/NBC NewsWire via Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Joe Scarborough;David Gregory
Getty Images
Journalist Tavis Smiley, actor Sidney Poitier and professor Cornel West arrive at "Crowns" Los Angeles Opening Night at The Ebony Repertory Theatre on May 8, 2009 in Los Angeles, California. "Crowns" Los Angeles Opening Night The Ebony Repertory Theatre Los Angeles, CA United States May 8, 2009 Photo by Tiffany Rose/WireImage.com To license this image (57391960), contact WireImage.com
Tiffany Rose/WireImage.com
NEW YORK - MAY 05: Authors Tavis Smiley (L) and Dr. Cornell West attend Time's 100 Most Influential People in the World Gala at the Frederick P. Rose Hall at Jazz at Lincoln Center on May 5, 2009 in New York City. (Photo by Stephen Lovekin/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Tavis Smiley;Cornell West
Getty Images
WASHINGTON - MARCH 15: (AFP OUT) Steve Liesman, Senior Economics Reporter at CNBC, speaks during a live taping of 'Meet the Press' at NBC studios March 15, 2009 in Washington, DC. Dr. Christina Romer, Chair of the White House Council of Economic Advisers, Rep. Eric Cantor (R-VA), House Republican Whip, David Frum, Columnist and former speechwriter for President George W. Bush, Katty Kay, Washington Correspondent for BBC World News America, Steve Liesman, Senior Economics Reporter at CNBC, Tavis Smiley, host of PBS's Tavis Smiley and PRI's The Tavis Smiley Show, appeared on the show to speak about politics and the US economy. (Photo by Brendan Smialowski/Getty Images for Meet the Press) *** Local Caption *** Steve Liesman
Getty Images for Meet the Press
WASHINGTON - MARCH 15: (AFP OUT) Katty Kay, Washington Correspondent for BBC World News America, speaks during a live taping of 'Meet the Press' at NBC studios March 15, 2009 in Washington, DC. Dr. Christina Romer, Chair of the White House Council of Economic Advisers, Rep. Eric Cantor (R-VA), House Republican Whip, David Frum, Columnist and former speechwriter for President George W. Bush, Katty Kay, Washington Correspondent for BBC World News America, Steve Liesman, Senior Economics Reporter at CNBC, Tavis Smiley, host of PBS's Tavis Smiley and PRI's The Tavis Smiley Show, appeared on the show to speak about politics and the US economy. (Photo by Brendan Smialowski/Getty Images for Meet the Press) *** Local Caption *** Katty Kay
Getty Images for Meet the Press
3) The revolution will NOT be brought to you by Walmart. Rarely, if ever, can true black activism be achieved via funding provided by companies run by the descendants of our historical oppressors. This is due to the inherent conflict of interest between capitalist entities and the plight of the poor. African Americans are disproportionately poor and working class. Therefore, unfettered capitalism is designed to destroy us (although compassionate capitalism can fuel economic growth). So, while one can certainly understand why Smiley would be happy to take corporate money for his State of the Black Union event every year, the truth of the matter is that the honest activism of such a function can only go so far.
4) A critical line must be drawn between financing and influence. There's a reason that the New York Times doesn't let it's advertisers decide which stories are going to appear on the front page. This is because the natural power that comes with financial support must be tempered by a commitment to conscientious objectives. If Wells Fargo needs to be called out for its predatory lending practices, that is not going to happen with the Wells Fargo logo placed behind the speaker's head. There should be independent oversight of all funding sources for The State of the Black Union, The State of Black America, as well as events held by the NAACP and Urban League every year. Influence is bought behind the scenes all the time, and good black leadership should be as transparent as possible.
5) We should keep supporting Tavis. Tavis Smiley's annual event, The State of the Black Union, is one of the most celebrated in the black community. With a renewed commitment to conscientious corporate sponsorship, The State of the Black Union can regain its status as a respected and appreciated forum for black education. But in order for this to happen, we must make sure we know where the money is coming from, where it is going and what strings are attached. Without properly vetting the sources of your financial support, you are setting yourself up for corruption.
Dr. Boyce Watkins is a Finance Professor at Syracuse University, a leading African American speaker and author of the forthcoming book, "Black American Money." To have Dr. Boyce commentary delivered to your email, please click here. 
Comments: (26)
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By: Lady Cop on 9/27/2009 8:56PM
I have no Love for Tavis Smiley. NONE. He lost me during the President Barack Obama/Hillary Clinton campaign. Tavis Smiley is a self centered, self promoting,loud talking chatter box. He is much to do about NOTHING!!! Nothing!!!
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By: ahsaki2 on 9/27/2009 9:26PM
Tavis Smiley may have committed a faux pas in this regard, and he should own up to it. But no one is going to do absolutely everything exactly in step from a black nationalist perspective, particularly when you're operating from within a capitalist economy. Forgive the brother if he stepped out of line, if, as none of us is, he isn't always correct. He's mostly shown himself to be a man of our people, so allow him to err, which, it is said, is human.
However, and someone feel free to correct me if I’m wrong, but I thought I read that he was critical of Obama and did not come to support him during the campaign, and even implied that Obama wasn't sufficiently, "blackly" (to coin a phrase) nationalistic enough. If this is true, then he's a hypocrite of the worst kind if he snookered some of his own as seems implied, and will continue to have some “splaining” to do, or in the future, tone down his own rhetoric about how other black leaders should conduct themselves vis-à-vis their flock.
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By: autirose on 9/27/2009 9:40PM
Travis is considered an "intellectual", how could he have been so ignorant not to have understood the legalities and terms of what he was endorsing. Did he have one? He took on great responsibility. (Travis looks "shifty" to me anyway.) In 70's I worked at the Governor's Office, Real Estate Commission; also, I took one course in Real Estate and I knew those type mortgages were "shakey" having just that education. Travis should have known better. I've lost some respect for him. Seems greed may have overruled common sense. Shame on you, Travis.
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By: Don Snow on 9/29/2009 10:03AM
Dr Boyce you and I have both been in this game for awhile and that is just what it is . Lets be honest since it is the honesty that is lacking here but more importantly in the African American community.. If anything what the African American public need and are entitled to is that. No,I will not give Mr Smiley a pass because it has gone on way too long. And where you are being politically correct not to place the blame where it should be; let me do it for you. Yes, I know a great deal about finances and the mortgage industry and the one thing you , I or anyone else is gulity of, if they promote something , particularly a financial product and it turns out to ensnared many people and have a harmful effect because of a fraudulent practice or be misleading to the consumer or be another type of potential violations ,trhat person maybe neglilence at the very least . Does Smiley possess any licenses in any state where he represented himself as a spokes person for a mortgage company. If not then why ? You do see where I am going with this, African Americans that hold themselves out to be something they have no professional training in must be held accountable for the harm caused to other African Americans. Mr Smiley has a fair amount of wealth and prestige right, well he recieved these coveted social and economic benefits due to his afiliation with African Americans. Dr Boyce this is a simple matter of greed , not wanting to do harm to someone is not the issue , regardless he was a party to an act that did harm his constituency. The people that made it possible for him to have the social and economic prestige he so covets. He should pay a price for that and let the individual members of the African American community be the judges as what it should be.
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By: Mz. Denver on 10/06/2009 9:07PM
I'm not too sure that Tavis deliberately went so far as to mislead the black community. I do believe that he was:
1. In it for the money/sponsorship
2. Didn't think "the deal" would be detrimental to blacks or come back to bite him in the a$$.
While I kicked Tavis to the curb a long time ago, I have to cut him a bit of slack on this one because I don't think he had in ill intentions.
Tavis reminds me of a local black politician here in Denver, M. Hancock. He rubs noses/hob knobs with white folks and does just enough for the black community to get by! Nothing of substance!
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By: tomysbac on 6/11/2010 2:46PM
Forge the Wells Fargo bus....the next bus coming by will be the Catholic school bus, see if her fits under there. Christan hater tavis....make more comments about us, fool. Find that self destruct button yet or need a little help Tavis.
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