Dr. Tyrone Bledsoe (aka: “Doc”) is the founder of SAAB (Formerly known as Student African American Brotherhood); a national organization established to instill a “spirit of care” in young people in more than 370 high schools, colleges and universities around the country. Dr. Bledsoe served as Vice President for Student Life and Special Assistant to the President at The University of Toledo as well as various other senior administrative positions for seven (7) institutions of higher education. After leaving the position of Vice President for Student Life and Special Assistant to the President at The University of Toledo in 2005, he transitioned full-time to the role of President-CEO of the SAAB National Headquarters now headquarters in Springfield as of June 2020.
Dr. Tyrone Bledsoe now resides in Springfield, Missouri. He was born and raised in Grenada, Mississippi. He received his Bachelor of Arts Degree and Master of Education degree from Mississippi State University. In 1993, he earned his Ph.D. in Counseling and Student Affairs Administration from the University of Georgia; and was chosen as the Outstanding Doctoral Student in the State of Georgia and was soon thereafter recognized as an Outstanding Doctoral Alumnus by the University of Georgia. He is a member of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc. and is very active in the arena of higher education. Dr. Bledsoe is highly recognized by several professional associations for his research, publications, presentations and scholarly work.
- In 2006, he was a contributing author to “African American Men in College”, Jossey-Bass Publisher
- In 1999, Dr. Bledsoe was invited to Oxford, England to serve as a guest lecturer to discuss his work with males of color at the Oxford University Roundtable Institute, which is sponsored by the British Council
- Dr. Bledsoe was also invited to join an international research team to address issues around men of color in Europe, Trinidad, Barbados and the Bahamas
- He has been featured on many talk shows to discuss his work involving young leaders. He is deemed as one of the most gifted and dynamic inspirational speakers by the thousands who have heard him speak around the world
- The Ashoka International Organization chose him as one of the most outstanding social innovators and Ashoka Fellows in the world
- He serves on the Southwest Regional Advisory Board of Commerce Bank
- He is a member of the Tiffin University Board of Trustees
- He has been recognized by two US Presidents (President Clinton and President Obama)
Lastly, he is a very spiritual and thought-provoking individual. He attribute a great deal of his personal and professional success to his “Scouting Experience” as he was the first Eagle Scout in Troop 372 of the historic Delta Area Council in Mississippi. Most importantly to him, he is the father of three adult sons– Tyrone Jr., Exon and Ronnie.