Thursday, September 12, 2013

[087] MTSU accounting major scores big at BMI Talent Showcase



MURFREESBORO — Music is not Clinton Knox III’s major, but he has scored a major musical coup.

The MTSU sophomore accounting major from Memphis captured second place in Broadcast Music Inc.’s Talent Showcase in Atlanta earlier this summer with a vocal performance of John Legend’s “Stay with You.”

It was so entertaining that the audience brought Knox back for an encore, which he granted by walking off the stage into the audience and singing directly to them at their tables.

“I’ve been singing in the church choir since I was 6 or 7 years old,” Knox said. “I picked this song because I like the choice of words and there aren’t too many highs and lows.”

BMI sponsors the competition each year for INROADS, a program that supports the development of minority youth, especially through internships during the college years.

The international organization provides more than 2,000 interns for more than 200 companies.

First place at the July 19 competition went to Eric Ackaah, a Fort Valley State University student who performed dance moves inspired by early dances of his native Ghana and today’s Caribbean dance hall moves.

However, in addition to his second-place award, Knox received the Member’s Choice Award, which is chosen by the votes of other INROADS students attending the showcase.

Knox is no stranger to organizational success. He is a member of the Student Government Association, a senator representing the College of Business.

He also founded and runs www.theyoungandeducated.com, a nonprofit organization dedicated to emphasizing positive ways young people can improve their lives.

“My friend, Dominic Cooper, and I were sitting in Ching’s, this wing restaurant in Memphis, thinking, ‘What could we do to help young men?’,” Knox recalled.

At first, Knox focused on posting helpful hints on topics such as staying healthy and how to dress for job interviews.

He said possible future activities include clothing drives and book drives for high schools.

“Our job as young people who have been blessed with talents and gifts is to give back,” said Knox.

Since establishing a Young and Educated group at the University of Alabama, Knox and Cooper have worked at setting up similar groups on other campuses.

The website includes a phone number for people with questions about ways to succeed in life. If they call 760-661-7182 and leave a message, they will get a return call.

“Who knows? Ten years down the road, we could have the best mentoring program in the state!” Knox said.

For more information, go to www.theyoungandeducated.com.

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