Tavis Smiley's "The State of the Black Union" Dies A Lackluster Death At The Age of 10

Ten years after it began, the annual State of Black Union conference has met its end.

Tavis Smiley has announced the end of his yearly conference series that focused on a myriad of problems within the Black community and of ways to alleviate the stressors that have caused America's most beleaguered citizens much pain.

“The State of the Black Union doesn't have the premium that it used to have, and that's a good thing,” said Smiley to several media outlets, including members of the Associated Press.

Every February would mark the beginning of a series of candid conversations that gave insight into the Black community, made public to the world via political network C-SPAN, often capped off by candid conversation punctuated by inactivity when all talking was finished.

Between 7,000 to 10,000 people participated in the event every year.

Smiley is opting to let go of his brainchild in order to focus on several professional projects which include his new publishing company, which is planning on releasing the memoirs of none other than R. Kelly, and four prime-time television specials.