PRAIRIE VIEW, Texas (November 20, 2019) – For 35 students enrolled in Marketing 3113 – Sports, Event and Entertainment Marketing at Prairie View A&M University, the value of the lessons they are learning from entertainment manager Mathew Knowles is priceless.

Knowles, who you may know as the father of superstar Beyoncé, is the founder, president, and chief executive officer of Houston-based Music World Entertainment, which he founded in 1991. This semester, he’s been sharing with students not only the ins-and-outs of running a record label but also advice on touring and event management.

“I don’t teach out of a book. I don’t mean this in an arrogant way, but I am the book because what I teach, I have to live it every day,” said Knowles, who earned an MBA and a Ph.D. in business administration from Cornerstone Christian University.

He says entertainment is ever-changing, but one thing that hasn’t changed is the need for critical thinkers in the business world.

“My number one

[topic] is critical thinking because it’s about solving a problem,” he said. “In the real world, that is what you are doing most of the time – solving a problem.”

Knowles co-teaches Marketing 3113 with Dr. Rick Baldwin, associate professor of management and marketing at PVAMU’s College of Business. Students spend seven classes with Baldwin and seven classes with Knowles. Their final session includes a field trip to Knowles’ Music World Entertainment.

Andreana Cunningham-O’Brien, a graduating senior in business management, says Knowles’ insight and wisdom has been career-altering for her.

“He speaks a lot about his daughters, Beyoncé and Solange, and lets us know their stories and how he’s helped out and contributed to their successes, as well as how he’s taken a lot of risks which benefits everyone in the long run,” she said.

And, in his busy schedule, Knowles doesn’t mind sharing what works.

“I’ve flown in from all over the world for my Tuesday night class. I was just in Spain last week,” he said. “But I don’t mind at all. I look at this teaching experience as a privilege. And, often, students don’t get that real-world experience and tough love in the classroom. I’m tough,” he chuckled. “You’ve got to know your stuff.”

Cunningham-O’Brien agrees.

“He’s a great businessman, not only in the music industry but in business in general,” she said. “He lets us know not to be scared, and if you want something, you have to go for it.”

Knowles plans to co-teach a different business marketing class with Baldwin in the spring.

###

By Michael Douglas