Dr. Tyrone Bledsoe is an educator with more than 33 years of high-quality postsecondary education experience.  He is the founder and current CEO-President of the Student African American Brotherhood (SAAB) Organization—-a national organization with over 355 chapters in 41 states that endeavors to instill a “spirit of care” in, and enhance the experiences of African American and Latino males in our country. Before transitioning to his role 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 25 years ago 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 honors as Outstanding Doctoral Alumnus by the University of Georgia and Mississippi State University.

Of the many articles and book publications, he is most proud of contributions as an author and co-inspiring 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 a 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 awarded him with the “Impact Award” for his contributions and impact to the State of Georgia’s efforts to graduate more African American males in their state system. His work was recently featured in the Harvard University Educational Review-Journal and he was profiled 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 selected him in 2006 as one of the most outstanding social innovators in the world.  In 2014, he was invited by Bermuda College [of the island of Bermuda] to serve on their editorial journal board for the “Voices in Education” and currently serves that journal today.

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 Campaign for Black Male Achievement and deemed a “National Treasure” by CEO (Shawn Dove).  Lumina Foundation for Education’s President (Jamie Merisotis) recently celebrated him as an enduring and inspiring leader that’s helping America develop the future talent our country needs.   The City of Detroit (Michigan) bestowed the “Spirit of Detroit Award” to him and the late, Queen of Soul (Aretha Franklin) for their work in throughout the Greater Detroit Area.

In 2015, he was nominated to the “CNN Heroes” Class of 2015 for his contributions to humankind and his impact as a world innovator, followed by an invitation to the White House in May 2016 to receive the Presidential Service Volunteer Award for his innovation with SAAB as a best practice in the country coupled with SAAB’s impact to communities across the nation.  Recently, he was selected by Rotary International (RI) to be featured in their magazine (The Rotarian) which showcased him around the world; spanning across 200 countries and reaching millions of Rotarians and others for his international prowess.

Dr. Bledsoe was born and raised in Grenada, Mississippi. He currently resides in Toledo, Ohio. He is a proud member of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc and one of the past presidents of the Rotary Club of Reynolds Corners (Toledo, OH).  He is an Eagle Scout who serves the Erie Shores Council of the Boy Scouts of America in Northwest Ohio. The thousands who have heard him speak have deemed him one of the most gifted and dynamic inspirational speakers in the country and a very critical voice of our time. He is a very spiritual, charismatic leader and lecturer, but most importantly, he is the father to three sons: 33-year old Tyrone, Jr, 26-year old Exon and 25-year old Ronnie.