‘Dreams Don’t Have Deadlines’: Ryan Cameron Visits UWG to Celebrate Black History in Business Share this page
The University of West Georgia’s Richards College of Business commemorated a century of Black History Month celebrations this week by hosting their annual Black History in Business Luncheon with keynote speaker Ryan Cameron.
Christian Scott, a sophomore double-majoring in management and data intelligence and business analytics, emceed the luncheon and kicked it off with a message of legacy.
“Today is about honoring legacy: centuries of individuals using their voices to inform, inspire and empower, even when the microphone wasn’t always offered and the room wasn’t always welcoming.”
According to the Association for the Study of African American Life and History (ASALH), 2026 marks a century of Black history commemorations. In 1926, Dr. Carter G. Woodson began the tradition, in 1976 U.S. President Gerald Ford recognized Black History Month as part of the nation’s bicentennial celebration, and congress made the month recognized by law in 1986.
Hosted by the Richards College of Business, presented by Southwire, sponsored by the City of Hope, and supported by community partners Dr. Fred O’Neal, Lillian O’Neal, and Bennett Thrasher, this annual event celebrates Black leadership and entrepreneurship.
“As the dean of the Richards College of Business, this milestone is especially important to me,” said Dr. Christopher Johnson, reflecting on the importance of the month’s 100-year anniversary. “Economic participation has always been central to freedom, dignity
and generational progress. The contributions of African Americans have helped build and sustain industries across this nation.”
Through voice impressions, jokes and sincerity, Cameron, an Emmy Award-winning radio personality, host, voice over artist and humanitarian, reflected on his own career and legacy as he shared his keynote message with the crowd, saying that UWG is where his career started thanks to the radio station and acknowledging people who believed in him enough to give him a chance throughout his career.
“You have to invest in personal relationships,” Cameron emphasized, reflecting on his time as a student at UWG. “Above all, don’t neglect these personal connections. Business is about people.”
While people like Bobby Brown and Mary Catherine Sneed helped Cameron get his start, he has also had the opportunity to help others through mentorship. Some of those mentees include fellow UWG attendee Elle Duncan, C.J. Simpson, Rashan Ali and Ludacris.
He offered his insights for others who are up-and-coming in their own careers, saying that you have to ask questions, and the only stupid question is one you have not asked.
When asked what action items he has for someone wanting to remove self-doubt, Cameron encouraged the audience to remember, “Dreams don’t have deadlines. You have to be willing to grow at your own pace.”
photography by Brian Carmichael