January 20, 2016

Smith Soc’s chapter at the Carnegie Mellon University Tepper School of Business hosted author and commentator Jason Riley for a lively public talk on the evening of January 20, 2016.

Riley, the author of Please Stop Helping Us: How Liberals Make It Harder for Blacks to Succeed (Encounter Books, 2016) and Let Them In: The Case for Open Borders (Avery, 2008), was speaking about issues presented in his newest book. Specifically, the talk focused on the unintended consequences some social programs have on the African American community. This talk was part of the Tepper Adam Smith Society’s (TASS) “Controversial Conversations” series. The talk was co-hosted by the Federalist Society chapter at the University of Pittsburgh.

Although snow was in the air in the Pittsburgh area that evening, approximately 45 attendees made their way on campus to listen to Riley’s talk. Among the attendees was Robert M. Dammon, PhD, MBA, Dean of the Tepper School of Business. Smith Soc was excited to welcome Dean Dammon.

Jason Riley’s prepared remarks focused on the issues addressed in Please Stop Helping Us – particularly the realities of various social programs and the unintended impact of these programs the current generation of African Americans in the United States. Riley then fielded questions during a Q&A session, and also stayed to talk to many Tepper students one-on-one, addressing a variety of issues, mostly related to contemporary politics and race relations. The event marked a successful kick-off to the 2016 year for Smith Soc’s Tepper chapter, and was another example of the type of Smith Soc event when members can connect with contemporary thought leaders from the worlds of business, politics, and ideas.