Chancellor’s Town Hall at N.C. A&T to Focus on Men: ‘Power’ Players Tate, Sikora, Rainey Jr.

GREENSBORO, N.C. (Feb. 26, 2018) – The spring 2018 edition of the Chancellor’s Town Hall series at North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University centers on “The Power of Men,” featuring prominent actors Larenz Tate, Joseph Sikora and Michael Rainey, Jr.

Created on behalf of Chancellor Harold L. Martin, Sr., the series was created to bring nationally distinguished guests to Greensboro for campus dialogue on matters of current and abiding importance to the university community and the world beyond. The Town Hall series in 2017 featured Facebook’s Mark Zuckerberg, political analyst Angela Rye, actress Gabrielle Union and journalist Lisa Ling.

Tate, Sikora and Rainey, Jr., co-star in the critically acclaimed Starz! network television show, “Power.” Currently in its fifth season, the show has become a fan favorite, garnering three NAACP Image Awards this year. Their discussion will look at the development of men and expectations of male identity, as well as ways men discover and define individual purpose.

With over 50 years combined experience in the entertainment industry, Tate, Sikora and Rainey Jr. have collectively explored a wide range of male roles. They’ve also used their visibility to focus attention on social and health challenges.

Tate was introduced to “Power” audiences in the fourth season of the show as Councilman Rashad Tate. His film career includes roles in “Menace II Society,” “Dead Presidents,” “Love Jones,” “The Inkwell,” “Why Do Fools Fall in Love,” “Ray” and, most recently, “Girl’s Trip.” In addition to his acting career, he works with The Tate Bros. Foundation, a nonprofit that raises awareness of children living with sickle cell anemia.

Known on “Power” as Tommy Egan, Sikora has acted for nearly 30 years in film and on Broadway. His movie credits include “Shutter Island” and “Safe,” and he has appeared on such television shows as “Boardwalk Empire,” “Law & Order: SVU,” “Grey’s Anatomy,” “Criminal Minds” and “White Collar.” An Ovation Award recipient, he recently starred in the short film, “The Coworker,” part of a high-profile PSA campaign from the Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network and the National Women's Law Center titled, “#ThatsHarrassment.”

Rainey’s “Power” character, Tariq St. Patrick, appeared sparingly in the first two seasons, but became a series regular by the third. His credits include roles in “Lee Daniels’ The Butler” and the third installment of the “Barbershop” franchise, as well as the Netflix series, “Orange is the New Black.” Rainey is also involved in homeless feeding programs and participates in the New York-based “Shoot 4 Success” organization, which focuses on education through sports for boys and girls.

Their panel discussion will be moderated by former Student Government Association President Rasheed Ali Cromwell, ’97

The Chancellor’s Town Hall is free and open to the public. Students must present their valid Aggie One card to receive a ticket. A limited amount of tickets will be made available to the public through the University Ticket Office located in Brown Hall, beginning Friday, March 2.

For more information, contact University Relations at 336-256-0863 or visit Chancellor’s Town Hall Series online. To request media credentials, visit https://ncat.az1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_1RqDw7AotHmIu9v.