'Shark Tank' star to speak at Elmhurst University

ELMHURST - Daymond John, an entrepreneur and original co-star of the popular "Shark Tank" television show, will speak on diversity later this month at Elmhurst University.

John will present "Diversity: A Good Business Practice" on Sept. 23. His speech will be this year's Roland Quest Lecture, a highlight of Elmhurst University's 150th anniversary celebrations.

John first made his mark as an entrepreneur in the early 1990s, when he capitalized on the then-fledgling hip-hop culture and launched the FUBU clothing company from his mother's house in Queens. n 2009, John was tapped to join the cast of "Shark Tank." The four-time Emmy Award-winning show, whose sharks have made millions of dollars in investments, has become one of the most successful business-reality series of all time.

John is also a bestselling author and branding expert.

"Diversity: A Good Business Practice" begins at 7 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 23, in Hammerschmidt Memorial Chapel, 190 Prospect Ave. Admission is $15 for the general public and free for Elmhurst University students, faculty, staff and alumni. After the lecture, John will sign copies of his latest book, "Power Shift." Tickets are available by visiting elmhurst.edu/cultural.