**1. [Tim Gunn]((https://www.themaneater.com/stories/2015/9/22/fashion-guru-tim-gunn-set-come-mu/)) speaks on his fashion career**

Project Runway’s 14-season co-host Tim Gunn is one of a few people who dislike the “leggings as pants” trend, but he may be the only one who receives laughter for expressing such an opinion. Gunn graced the Jesse Auditorium stage Sept. 24 to share the trials and triumphs of his 30-year fashion career. He spoke on overcoming his fear of public speaking, the value of taking the high road in stressful situations and of course, his fashion pet-peeves. Through humor about the fashion industry, Gunn tackled life lessons that students can take into any career.

**2. [Diane Nash](https://www.themaneater.com/stories/2016/1/21/diane-nash-discusses-student-activism-nonviolent-a/) speaks on nonviolent activism**

Civil rights activist Diane Nash spoke Jan. 20 at Missouri Theatre in honor of Martin Luther King Jr. Day four days prior. She spoke on the form of nonviolent activism she coins “agapic energy,” which she said is “the power produced by love of humankind.” In regard to fall’s protests over racism and lack of diversity at MU, Nash encouraged students to take action for what they believe in, but to do so in a manner that they could be proud of.

**3. [Soledad O’Brien](https://www.themaneater.com/stories/2015/12/6/soledad-obrien-speaks-importance-diversity-media/) shares personal experience with racism**

Born a biracial Cuban-American, journalist Soledad O’Brien stood in front of a crowded Jesse Auditorium audience on Dec. 3 to share her experiences with marginalization. She is known most prominently for her work with NBC, CNN and her documentaries about marginalized races, religions and sexualities in America. O’Brien spoke on the importance of standing up for overlooked identities.

**4. [Black Lives Matter founders](https://www.themaneater.com/stories/2016/2/19/blacklivesmatter-founders-speak-prominence-racial-/) speak on conquering racism**

Alicia Garza and Opal Tometi, two of the three founders of the Black Lives Matter movement, spoke Feb. 18 in Jesse Auditorium about black people’s continual experience with brutality and disenfranchisement in education and the workforce. They expressed their appreciation for MU students standing up for diversity and minorities’ rights and spoke on the importance of being in-tune with one another in order to prevent division among people.

**5. [Bryan Stevenson](https://www.themaneater.com/stories/2016/3/24/lawyer-and-social-activist-bryan-stevenson-talks-c/) speaks on prejudice in the U.S. justice system**

One of Time’s Most Influential People of 2015, Bryan Stevenson visited campus March 20 to speak about his Equal Justice Initiative, which addresses unfair sentencing. Stevenson spoke on racial prejudice in the justice system and shared anecdotes about providing legal representation for several people, including minors on death row.