In February, during the 100th observance of Black History Month, Marshall University President Brad D. Smith and I sat down for a fireside chat in Huntington. I wrote about that visit at the time. Over the spring, Brad’s office released the conversation as four short videos, and I wanted to gather them in one place.
The future of AI
How artificial intelligence can open the digital economy to more people, how I use it every day, and the blind spots technologists can have about the people on the other side of the screen.
Skills for the future and Operation HOPE
Brad talked about the skills that matter most for the future of work, from critical thinking and communication to digital fluency and financial literacy, and then turned the conversation to Operation HOPE.
The 1865 Project
Brad asked me to share the vision for The 1865 Project. He was one of its first supporters, and I made sure the audience knew it.
Operation HOPE in Huntington
Brad shared the impact Operation HOPE has had in Huntington, and it meant a lot to see that work through his eyes.
Videos: Office of the President, Marshall University, released April through June 2026.
