Yanick Rice Lamb developed a professional voice that served her well over a long career in the communications industry. However, her personal mission is directed toward those whose voices are often drowned out or ignored.
Rice Lamb
On Saturday, Feb. 8, the award-winning journalist and author will share her insights on how young people can develop their own voices to realize their dreams. Rice Lamb will speak at the Black History Month kickoff event, which will be held from noon to 2 p.m. in the Student Union Auditorium. A soul food luncheon will be served after her presentation.
Rice Lamb, who earned degrees from Ohio University and Howard University, is an associate professor of journalism at Howard, as well as coordinator of the Print/Online Journalism Sequence.
Born in Akron, Ohio, Rice Lamb started her communications career with The Blade, where she first worked as a copy editor before becoming a reporter. She subsequently joined The Atlanta Journal-Constitution before she was hired at The New York Times.
She moved into magazines, first as senior editor for Child Magazine then as editor-at-large for Essence Magazine, before joining Black Entertainment Television (BET) in 1995, serving as editor-in-chief, editorial director and as a vice president. As founding editor of “BET Weekend,” she was responsible for the program’s editorial management. She also managed BET Publishing Group’s magazine Heart & Soul, taking on the roles of associate publisher and editorial director.
Last year, she was interviewed by The History Makers, which houses the nation’s largest African-American video and oral history collection. She’s also one of the founders of FierceforBlackWomen.com, an online site she described as “designed to captivate busy, dynamic black women in the prime of their lives.”
Rice Lamb’s presentation titled “Socially Accepted: Where Are We Now?” looks both back and forward to inspire young people who may feel marginalized.
“I plan to talk to them about going after their dreams, making the most of their lives,” Rice Lamb said. “Dreams are challenged by economic conditions and other circumstances, but there are many, many stories of everyday people who overcame the odds — stories from their own families, and the families of others.
“A lot of generations tend to think that everything starts with them, but there are a lot of inspiring backstories out there.”
The kickoff event is sponsored by The University of Toledo, Study Hour Club and the Toledo chapter of The Links Inc., and will include musical performances by the UT Gospel Choir.
The event is free to UT students, faculty and staff, but a ticket must be obtained by calling the Office of Excellence and Multicultural Student Success at 419.530.2261 or emailing oemss@utoledo.edu.
Tickets for members of the public are $20 and may be purchased at Inkjet Express, 4895 Monroe St., or by calling 419.367.0408 or emailing jackcrock@yahoo.com.
