Tavis Smiley, the host of the late night television talk show Tavis Smiley, which airs weeknights on PBS stations across the country, will travel to Milwaukee on Tuesday, April 19 as part of his “One Great Idea Tour.” Smiley will be in town to record his show at the Milwaukee Area Technical College’s (MATC) downtown campus, in front of an audience.

The weeklong tour is designed to inspire the nation with solutions to some of this country’s most difficult challenges. Milwaukee is one of five cities that will share “one great idea” their city is doing to improve America. Milwaukee will focus on the impact of technical colleges in building bridges out of poverty and providing opportunities for every demographic in our community regardless of gender, race or zip code. Set to join Smiley are MATC President Dr. Vicki J. Martin, as well as MATC students and graduates.

Smiley is a broadcaster, author, publisher, advocate and philanthropist whose insightful conversations with world figures, thought-leaders, newspapers, entertainers and authors have expanded PBS’ core audiences and challenged the status quo in American media. He is the author or co-author of 19 books; his latest book “50 For Your Future: Lessons From Down the Road” will be released April 5. In this book, Smiley shares 50 hard won lessons from life that’s taken him from Indiana to a national platform as host of Tavis Smiley on PBS, now in its 12th season. Among his many accolades, Smiley has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

The Tavis Smiley taping is free and open to the public, but space is limited and advance tickets are required. Reservations can be made at www.mptv.org or at www.matc.edu. Smiley will also be available after the show for a book signing.

The Milwaukee taping of Tavis Smiley will be broadcast on MPTV 10 on April 19 at 10:00 p.m.