BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH FOR DR. TYRONE BLEDSOE
EDUCATIONAL USE
Dr. Tyrone Bledsoe is founder and current CEO-President of the Student African American
Brotherhood (SAAB) Organization----a national organization with over 300 chapters in 30 states
that endeavors to instill a “spirit of care” in, and enhance the experiences of, African American and
Latino males in middle schools, high schools, colleges, and universities. Before transitioning to his
current position with SAAB, Dr. Bledsoe served as Vice President for Student Life and Special
Assistant to the President at the University of Toledo.
He received his Bachelor of Arts and Master of Education degrees from Mississippi State
University, and went on to complete a Ph.D. in Counseling and Student Affairs Administration with
an emphasis in Counseling Psychology at the University of Georgia. Dr. Bledsoe’s academic and
professional prowess is underscored by his recognition as Outstanding Doctoral Student in the State
of Georgia, along with his honor as Outstanding Doctoral Alumnus by the University of Georgia.
Dr. Bledsoe is a contributing author to the book African American Men in College, and his
scholarly publications and contributions were further solidified through his appearances on several
talk shows where he has discussed issues pertaining to African American and Latino males.
Further, his expertise was requested by an international research team that addressed issues
affecting men of color in London and male challenges in Germany. In 1999, he was invited to serve
as guest lecturer at the Oxford University Roundtable Institute in Oxford, England to discuss his
work with the latter. Dr. Bledsoe is highly recognized by several professional associations for his
research, publications, presentations, and scholarly work. Because of his many contributions to
Student Affairs in higher education, his membership with the American College Personnel
Association (ACPA) led to his being distinguished as a Diamond Honoree. The University System of
Georgia recently awarded him with the “Impact Award” for his contributions to the State of
Georgia. He was recently featured by Black Scholar and Professor, Dr. Boyce Watkins, as a bright
and innovative leader committed to saving young males of color. His international work has earned
him notoriety with Ashoka, a global association of the world’s leading social entrepreneurs, which
recently selected him as one of the most outstanding social innovators in the world. Recently, he
was invited by Bermuda College [of the island of Bermuda] to serve on their editorial board for the
“Voices in Education”, a Bermuda College Journal.
Former President Bill Clinton invited him to participate in the “Clinton Global Initiative” (CGIAmerica) in Chicago (June 2011) to help shape discussions on how the U.S. could strengthen its
workforce. President Clinton deemed Dr. Bledsoe’s voice critical to the conversation given his
efforts to address the existing achievement gaps for minority students. Recently, he was invited by
the White House to attend a National Summit on the Success of Black Males hosted by Secretary of
Education (Arne Duncan) as a direct response to President Obama’s executive order for an
initiative to address the success of African American Students. Recently, he was featured in the
national newsletter of the Institute for Black Male Achievement and deemed a “National Treasure”
by the Managing Director of the Campaign on Black Male Achievement. The City of Detroit
(Michigan) recently honored him with the “Spirit of Detroit Award” for the work in the city.
Dr. Bledsoe was born and raised in Grenada, Mississippi. He currently resides in Toledo, Ohio. He
is a distinguished member of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc and the past president of the Rotary
Club of Reynolds Corners. The thousands who have heard him speak have deemed him one of the
most gifted and dynamic motivational speakers in the country. He is very spiritual; thoughtprovoking as a charismatic leader and lecturer, but most importantly, he is the father to 29-year
old Tyrone, Jr.