Leonard Pitts

Pulitzer Prize-winning columnist Leonard Pitts will appear at two events in Asheville on Wednesday, April 22. Events are co-sponsored by the Asheville Citizen-Times, Mission Hospital's Diversity Committee and UNC Asheville's Mass Communication Department.

Pitts will give a talk on "Strength and Diversity" at 7 p.m. at UNC Asheville's Lipinsky Auditorium. He will discuss his thoughts and opinions on diversity and the important role education plays in championing diversity as a strength of the workplace, community and country. Admission is free with an e-ticket.

A reception will be held for Pitts from 4:30-6:30 p.m. at the Double Tree Biltmore Hotel, 115 Hendersonville Rd. Tickets for this event are $45 and include VIP seating at Pitts' talk later in the evening.

Pitts joined the Miami Herald in 1991 as its pop music critic and has penned a syndicated column focusing on pop culture, social issues and family life since 1994. He won the Pulitzer Prize for commentary in 2004 and is the author of seven books, including the new release "Before I Forget."

E-tickets to the talk and reception are available online at www.citizen-times.com/leonardpitts or in person at the Asheville Citizen-Times Office, 14 O. Henry Ave., from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday-Friday.