CSU-Pueblo host annual Martin Luther King breakfast

PUEBLO - The Office of Diversity & Inclusion at Colorado State University-Pueblo again will host the annual Martin Luther King breakfast on Monday, Jan. 19. The event will feature a first generation college student from Denver who went on to found Stirred up Enterprises, a motivational speaking company. Dr. Ryan Ross, also known as Doc Ross, will speak as part of the breakfast beginning at 8 a.m. on Monday, January 19 in the Occhiato University Center West Ballroom. The breakfast is free to attendees. The program will begin at 8:30 a.m.

Ross serves as the dean of student development and retention at the Community College of Denver and the founder and CEO of Stirred Up Enterprises, a motivational speaking and educational consulting boutique. He has inspired youth and adults across the country to live bold, free, and to never settle on being good because they are destined to be great.

Ross's passions are grounded in family, education, and community outreach. He is the creator and college coach for the Kappa League program, a leadership development program focusing on choices, college preparation, and life skills for urban males.

His work in the Kappa League led to the creation of a character counts initiative with the juvenile detention facility; Gilliam Youth Services. In this setting, Ryan is a success coach, using his inspirational and motivational speaking talents to get these young people stirred up about their future and the opportunities associated with a second chance. In addition to inspirational and motivational speaking, He serves on several boards for non-profit organizations including Byrne Urban Scholars: a program designed to give inner city youth the opportunity to attend private college preparatory high schools; The Pirate Youth Football Organization: an organization focused on college and success coaching, teaching integrity, character, and the value of education through athletics. Although heavily involved with youth, the college and success coach also is committed to the advancement of educational professionals and community access.

A Colorado native, "doc ross" grew up in Denver's Eastside and Five Point areas, his unique experience as a first generation college student, a street savvy inner city youth, and serving as an educator/trainer for more than 10 years fuels his ability to connect, inspire, and help individuals self-actualize and live like champions.

Reservations will be taken until 5 p.m. Friday, Jan. 9 at https://colostate-pueblo.collegiatelink.net/form/start/54052. For more information, contact the Diversity Resource Center at diversityresourcecenter@csupueblo.edu or 719-549-2627.

Colorado State University - Pueblo is a regional, comprehensive university emphasizing professional, career-oriented, and applied programs. Displaying excellence in teaching, celebrating diversity, and engaging in service and outreach, CSU-Pueblo is distinguished by access, opportunity, and the overall quality of services provided to its students.