Keiser University Flagship Campus Professor Dr. Joseph Clottey recently shared his thoughts in this interview relating to the important reminders Black History Month offers regarding the many instrumental trailblazers who have helped pave the way for others.

While sharing that the occasion, celebrated throughout the month of February, has always been significant to him by providing a formal time to contemplate and reflect upon one’s roots, Dr. Clottey paid tribute to the lasting legacy of historical figures including Dr. Kwame Nkrumah and Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. He reminds us that Dr. Nkrumah, a Ghanaian politician and the first Prime Minister and President of Ghana has left a lasting legacy due to his role in helping Ghana gain its independence as well as the fact that he continued to further his education. In addition, the memory of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. will live on forever because he ‘was the epitome of what we stand for today,’ due to the strides he made in helping to assure diversity and inclusiveness.

Among the many black leaders of today who continue to encourage professor Clottey is Oprah Winfrey because of her inspiring journey which demonstrates the power of perseverance, and United States President Barack Obama who transcended history by becoming the first African American president. Dr. Clottey said he is also influenced greatly by his father who has instilled the importance of ‘never making excuses,’ and reminding him that ‘if you fail to plan, you plan to fail.’

Dr. Clottey shared that he enjoys his role as a business professor at Keiser University’s Flagship campus as it welcomes learners from across the globe. He reminds students that they all share the common goal of gaining knowledge and is thankful to embrace lifelong learning as he continually gains insights from his international scholars.

Keiser University is a private, independent, non-profit university serving nearly 20,000 students at 21 Florida campuses, online, and two international sites. Co-founded in 1977 by Chancellor Arthur Keiser, Ph.D., and Evelyn Keiser, Keiser University currently offers more than 100 degrees from associate to the doctoral level. Keiser University is a designated Hispanic-Serving Institution, a member of the Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities, and was ranked No. 1 in the U.S. in providing Social Mobility by U.S. News and World Report in 2023.