MercyOne North Iowa Medical Center proudly presents Clifton Taulbert, author of the 2019-2020 NIACC Common Read Who Owns the Ice House? at the North Iowa Community Auditorium on the NIACC campus at 7:00 p.m. on Wednesday, March 25th, 2020. This presentation is part of the 2019-2020 Performing Arts and Leadership Series.

Clifton L. Taulbert, noted author, entrepreneur, and businessman, says he could have failed had he not encountered community builders and entrepreneurial thinkers early on in his life. Taulbert was born on the Mississippi Delta during the era of legal segregation. Though opportunities were few and barriers were plentiful, Taulbert managed to dream of being successful, not knowing the shape that success would take.

Today Taulbert is the President and CEO of the Freemount Corporation (a human capital development company) serving clients nationally and internationally including Fortune 500 Companies, small businesses, federal agencies, professional organizations, community colleges, and K-12 leadership. He is also the President and CEO of Roots Java Coffee, an African-American owned national coffee brand importing coffee from Africa.

Following high school graduation and a short banking career in Saint Louis, Clifton enlisted in the United States Air force. After successfully serving in the 89th Presidential Wing of the United States Air Force in the late 1960s, he was honorably discharged and continued his college education, graduating from Oral Roberts University and the Southwest Graduate School of Banking at Southern Methodist University. During those years, Taulbert was quietly writing. His first book Once Upon A Time When We Were Colored became a national best seller, a major motion picture, and a requested gift for Nelson Mandela upon his release from prison. Eight Habits of the Heart, one of Taulbert’s thirteen books, garnered him an invitation by former Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O’Connor to address members of the court and their invited guests. His second book, The Last Train North, was nominated for the Pulitzer Prize. Taulbert’s literary work ignited a journey that has taken him throughout the world. As a recognized thought leader on the issues of community, Taulbert has lectured at Harvard University Principals Center and the United States Air Force Academy.

Taulbert is renowned for his ability to glean timeless lessons from the place of his birth. His books about ordinary people becoming extraordinary leaders have been embraced globally. Taulbert, along with entrepreneur Gary Schoeniger, is also the co-author of Who Owns The Ice House: Eight Life Lessons From An Unlikely Entrepreneur, an international bestseller described as “required reading for humanity.”

The Common Read is a program designed to engage North Iowa Area Community College students, staff, faculty, and community members in a unified intellectual activity. For first-year students, it introduces them to academic expectations, respectful discourse, and community building. The Common Read is supported by the Performing Arts and Leadership Series. First-year students will be asked to read the book as part of their Composition One requirements. The Common Read book is available through the NIACC Book Zone.

This program is supported by the Academic Affairs board of the institution and a host of individual faculty, staff, and community members on the Common Read Committee.

To learn more about Clifton Taulbert, visit www.cliftontaulbert.com or watch a video at www.niacc.edu/palvideos.

For tickets to the show, call the NIACC Box Office at 1-888-466-4222, extension 4188. Tickets may also be purchased online at www.niacc.edu/boxoffice.

The Broadway sponsor for the 2019-2020 Performing Arts and Leadership Series is Drs. Beck, Bhangoo, and Ondoma: Neurosurgery of North Iowa, P.C.

Platinum sponsors include Samuel & Patricia Congello, Mason City Clinic, Elizabeth Muse Norris Charitable Fund, Lee Foundation, Globe Gazette, MercyOne North Iowa Medical Center, and Principal Financial Group.

Gold sponors include First Citizens Bank, First State Bank of Belmond, Dean Genth & Dr. Gary Swenson, The G. G. George Family, Henkel Construction Company, Historic Park Inn, MBT Bank & The Hanson Family Foundation, Northwoods State Bank, North Iowa Eye Clinic P.C., Stratford Foundation, Sukup Manufacturing Co., Holiday Inn Express, KGLO, KIMT, North Iowa Broadcasting, and Country Inn & Suites.

# # #

Ref # 6581