Judy Smith, the real-life inspiration for the hit TV show “Scandal”, will be one of the guest speakers during The Bob Wright Symposium On Business Empowerment on Tuesday, September 12, 2017 at the Columbus Convention and Trade Center. The conference will again be moderated by ABC News Anchor/Reporter, Byron Pitts.

“We are honored to be able to welcome and present Judy Smith to our community and the participants attending this year’s symposium,” said Bob Wright. “She represents the type of world class leader and executive we seek out to share their invaluable business insight, knowledge and experience.”

As a result of Smith’s wide ranging and groundbreaking career, Shonda Rhimes, creator of ABC’s hit television dramas Grey’s Anatomy and Private Practice, developed the hit show “Scandal”, about the world of crisis management inspired by Smith.  She serves as Co-Executive Producer on the series.  Smith is the founder and President of Smith & Company, a leading strategic and crisis communications firm with offices in Washington D.C. and Los Angeles. Over the last 25 years, Smith has brought her unique combination of communication skills, media savvy, legal and political acumen to clients facing a wide array of issues and challenges throughout the United States and abroad.

Smith honed her skills through her experiences with some of the most historic and sensational events of our time, the prosecution of former Washington D.C. Mayor Marion Barry, the Los Angeles riots, the President Clinton scandal involving Monica Lewinsky, the congressional inquiry of Enron, the General Petraeus CIA scandal, and the Sony Corporation hacking crisis.  Smith has served as a consultant for a host of high profile, celebrity and entertainment clients over the course of her career including, Monica Lewinsky, Congressman Jesse Jackson Jr., actor Wesley Snipes, NFL quarterback Michael Vick and celebrity chef Paula Deen. Prior to her legal career, Smith worked as a writer and public affairs specialist for several publications and private organizations headquartered in Washington, D.C. Smith is the author of the book, Good Self, Bad Self.

To register for the conference, visit www.bwsbe.com.  Individual tickets are available for $150 each until August 12, and $175 thereafter. For sponsorship opportunities, contact SirMichael Jones at 706-330-8051.  The symposium is sponsored by the Education Foundation of Delta Iota Lambda Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.