From Executive Producers Harold and Hattie Bell, SPEAK THE TRUTH is a virtual talk show hosted by Black Men In America.com on the ZOOM platform.  The show was launched with a rock-solid foundation starting with National Association of Black Journalist (NABJ) 2020 Pioneer Award winner and Washington, DC area talk show sports legend Harold Bell and his co-hosts, longtime television broadcaster, producer and radio host Maggie Linton and veteran newswoman Jackie Jones, who is the Assistant Dean for Programs and Chair of the Department of Multimedia Journalism in the School of Global Journalism & Communication at Morgan State University, along with Christopher (C.J.) Johnson, Political Commentator for Black Men In America.com. 

Over the past year the show has evolved with a rotating panel of co-hosts to include guest panelist Dr. Judy Fisher, Jacques Chevalier, Christopher “C.J.” Johnson, Sidney Davis, Charles Hopkins and Selma Alabama District Attorney Michael Jackson to name a few.

Facilitated by Black Men In America.com Publisher/Founder, Gary Johnson, “SPEAK THE TRUTH” talks about “hot topics” and the current events on the minds of folks in our community and across the nation.

Posted February 7, 2022

Here at “Speak The Truth,” we celebrate Black History every day.  Today’s special guest is Olympic Gold Medalist and American War Hero Mel Pender.  Watch has Harold and his co-host Chris “C.J.” Johnson and the panel (Jacques Chevalier, Lawrence Lucas, Michael Jackson, John Hollins, ArLena Richardson and Gary Johnson) talk about race, politics, sports and the Black community.

Last year Mel wanted to visit and travel through Europe with his wife, but they could not travel because of the restrictions of the Coronavirus.  He was scheduled to address a group of young people in the UK for Black History Month.  When asked what that message would be, Mel stated the following:

“First thing, to learn about your heritage. Learn about who you are, where your people came from. Learn about the suffering that they had to endure. Think about that,” he says.

“And think about how it’s important for you to do better. To shine as my grandfather said. Listen. Read, as my grandfather said. Read your history, learn your history, learn about your people. Then when you learn about your people, that should encourage you to do better.

“And as John Lewis (American civil rights leader and Democratic Congressman) said, ‘speak up, speak out!’

“Always believe in yourself. I had to believe in myself in order to get that college degree to travel 70 miles to Long Island, New York, from West Point Military Academy.

“I had to believe in myself to be good in the military, to win the Bronze Star. You have to shine. You can’t say give me… because nobody gives you. You’ve got to go out and you got to earn it.

Mel Pender – 1968 Olympic Gold Medal Winner