This year’s CTU commencement theme, “Dare. Dream. Do.”, is about taking risks, believing in possibilities, and boldly moving forward. That’s why we’re thrilled to announce that Bob Mackey will serve as the keynote speaker at this year’s ceremony. Mackey’s extraordinary life story and unwavering commitment to service make him the perfect embodiment of the theme.
A nationally recognized youth advocate, entrepreneur, filmmaker, and Shark Tank success story, Bob Mackey has led a life that is truly inspiring. Raised in Center, Georgia, Bob faced academic and personal struggles early on. Yet, he defied the odds, becoming the first in his family to earn a college degree, later building a career that spans youth development, criminal justice, television production, and business success.
Bob attributes this success to intention and ability. “The human mind has so much potential,” he says. “What a person can accomplish when they’re intentional with their abilities, that’s amazing. That inspires me.” Mackey’s professional path is marked by impact and innovation. After working nearly a decade as a juvenile probation officer, he became a transformative leader for the Boys & Girls Clubs in North Central Georgia and Metro Atlanta. Under his leadership, graduation rates rose while juvenile delinquency dropped, and his legacy is honored with a teen center and gymnasium bearing his name. He’s also the co-creator of the Yono Clip, a product that secured a deal with Daymond John on ABC’s Shark Tank, proving his ability to turn bold ideas into reality.
More recently, Bob has drawn national attention for Oscarville: The Television Series—Below the Surface, a historical storytelling project that explores the troubling history of a town near where he grew up. “Doing the research shed light on things I’d always wondered about as a child,” explains Mackey. “Why there were certain places we just wouldn’t go. I remember when we would play football against a school in a particular area, none of the Black kids would go on that day. As I investigated, I realized how much unrecorded history there was, and I knew it was a story I had to tell.”
With Bob’s natural storytelling ability, CTU graduates can expect him to speak about failure, persistence, and hope, using his trademark blend of humor, truth, and motivation.
So, what does “Dare. Dream. Do.” mean to Bob Mackey?
“It means to go for it. When we waste time not going for it, we're ignoring what’s in us and robbing ourselves of what could be.”
CTU’s commencement ceremony will be taking place in Loveland, Colorado on June 28, 2025.
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