America's First Gentleman of Hip Hop will headline a long-running Fort Valley State University lecture series. Philanthropist, author, actor and musician Derek "Fonzworth Bentley" Watkins, will be the guest lecturer for FVSU's John W. Davison lecture series will feature at 7 p.m. Thursday, March 17 in the C. W. Pettigrew Center. The event is sponsored by FVSU's Center for Retention Services and the Office of Campus Life.

Watkins is best known for being hip hop mogul Sean Diddy Combs' personal assistant, and the host of the MTV hit reality show from G's to Gents. He is currently the host of Lift Every Voice on the Black Entertainment Television network.

Watkins was named by GQ Magazine as the First Gentleman of Hip Hop. He was the producer and host of the MTV hit show, From G's to Gents, and the author of the New York Times self-help bestseller "Advance your Swagger: How to use Manners, Confidence and Style to Get Ahead." He is currently the host of "Lift Every Voice" on BET. During his program, he holds in-depth conversations with popular gospel singers.

In addition to hosting, he has starred in several films including "Think Like a Man Too," "Honey" and "Fat Albert."

Bentley is also a motivational speaker who has given speeches at The White House Fatherhood Initiative, the Joseph E. Lowery Institute, the Know How 2 Go, and UNCF "Empower Me" tour.

He currently lives in Los Angeles with his wife and daughter.