Published: May 31, 2008 11:57 pm      

Renowned speaker Milton Creagh to deliver message at St. Paul UMC

A world-renowned motivational speaker/TV personality/author with local ties will bring his hard-hitting, inspirational message to Meridian on June 15.

Milton Creagh (pronounced KREE uh) will be guest speaker during morning worship services at St. Paul United Methodist Church. The Father's Day special program is free and open to the public.

"We want everyone to here this powerful message, but especially children and their fathers," said Robert Hughes, a spokesman for the St. Paul.

The son of Flaziel Creagh of Meridian and the late Milton Creagh Sr., Creagh, also known as "Bigg Milt," was reared on Chicago's Southside. Speaking to more than 200,000 young adults annually, Creagh is recognized as one of the most in-demand speakers in America. He has spoken in 49 states as well as Canada, South America, Central America, the Caribbean and Africa.

Whether speaking to young people or adults, Creagh challenges his audiences to tackle the problems of drugs, alcohol and violence. He not only explores how these issues affects children, but also examines how the adults in their lives can help youth develop responsibility.

Creagh attended Bethune-Cookman College on a combination athletic and academic scholarship. The former National Merit Scholar was elected president of the Student Government Association his senior year and organized two mission trips to Haiti for athletes. His career is marked with numerous distinctions: He has twice been a participant in the prestigious W.K. Kellogg Foundation Expert in Residence program, has been invited to the White House, and has presented at the NFL’s Super Bowl Experience.

Creagh is the former host of the national PBS series "Parenting Works." He hosted two prime time specials for WPBA Channel 30, Atlanta: The Black Male: An Endangered Species and Atlanta Facing AIDS. Creagh was featured in three nationally syndicated television specials for MTI/Coronet Films: "Trap: Selling Drugs in the Inner City," "Prejudice: Dividing the Dream" and "Diversity in the USA." He hosted the Covenant Award-winning docudrama "Masquerade: Unveiling Our Deadly Dance with Drugs and Alcohol," which has aired on more than 250 local broadcast affiliates. He also co-starred in the award winning made-for-television children’s film, "Pumpkin Man."

Creagh has been a guest on CNN, TBN, FOX’s "Fox On Family," BET’s "Screen Scene," "100 Huntley Street" and "The Ananda Lewis Show." He has been featured in Jet and Right On! magazines, as well as hundreds of newspapers around the country, including the Chicago Tribune, Miami Herald, Rockford Register Star, Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Salisbury (NC) Post, Topeka Capital- Journal, Emporia (VA) Gazette, and the South Idaho Press.

Creagh is author of "Nobody Wants Your Child," a guide for parents who wish to teach their children the principles of successful living. He divides his time between Atlanta and Chicago.

WANT TO GO?

What: Appearance by renowned motivational speaker, TV personality and author Milton Creagh

When: June 15, 11 a.m.

Where: St. Paul United Methodist Church, 2700 13th St.

Additional information: Attendance is free and open to the public. For more information, contact Greg Lane, (601) 934-5528 or Robert Hughes, (601) 692-5872