Venus Williams, former world No. 1 ranked tennis player and an advocate for equitable opportunities for women in sport and business, will open the 18th subscription season of the Guilford College Bryan Series on Oct. 20.
The program is at 7:30 p.m. at the Steven Tanger Center for the Performing Arts in downtown Greensboro. Tickets are available at Ticketmaster.com and the Tanger Center Box Office. Guilford students, faculty, and staff have received instructions about ticket pickup.
Venus, who has won seven grand-slam titles, including five at Wimbledon, and is still competing professionally, will participate in a moderated conversation on the Bryan Series stage Oct. 20 with Katrina Adams, former President and CEO of the U.S. Tennis Association.
Besides her noteworthy tennis accomplishments since the age of 14, Venus fought for pay parity for women competitors at Wimbledon, achieving it in 2007. She is now involved with a number of business ventures.
Earlier in the day, Katrina, who is the youngest person and first former player and African American to lead the USTA, will meet with Guilford students on campus in a Q&A focused on careers in sport and business.
The Bryan Series season continues Nov. 10 with a program featuring neuroscientist Daniel Levitin and Grammy-winning singer-songwriter Rosanne Cash on the topic of “music and the brain.”
Three programs will be presented early in the new year. Immunologist Kizzmekia Corbett speaks Feb. 6, global humanitarian and chef Jose Andres on Feb. 28 and Pulitzer Prize winning investigative reporter Ronan Farrow on April 4.
Guilford College has presented major speakers in the Bryan Series since 1996, including world leaders, great authors and significant figures in the arts, humanities and public affairs. Joseph M. Bryan Jr. ’60, trustee chair emeritus, launched the series with an endowed gift.
This season more than 1,550 community residents who subscribe are joined by Guilford faculty, staff, and students for the programs at Tanger Center.