I am the granddaughter of Eula and RP Sirls, sharecroppers in Texas and Alabama in the 1930s, and the great-granddaughter of Rosa (formerly enslaved) and George Thrikill; and the granddaughter of Elizabeth Jean Pratt and Daniel Pratt of Freetown, Sierra Leone.
I am the sister of Awadagin Pratt, one of the “one of the great and distinctive American pianists and conductors of our time.”
I am the mother of Emmanuel Pratt-Clarke (@emmanuelaopc), an amazing talented African-Diaspora artist and painter based in the United States and the Bahamas whose art is highlighted on this website, and Raebekkah Pratt-Clarke, a powerful, determined Blackwildgirl “dominating the field” in sports management.
I am a former professional tennis player, having played the Olympic Qualifying Tournament in 1984, and a classically trained pianist and violinist. I bought a baby grand piano a few years ago, and named her Simone, in honor of Nina Simone, and christened her with a rendition of Nina Simone’s, “I Wish I Knew How It Would Feel to be Free.”
I share my gifts at Virginia Tech as the Vice President for Strategic Affairs and Diversity and Professor of Education. A loyal Hokie for the past 7 years, in 2022, I had the privilege of writing a poem for Virginia Tech’s Sesquicentennial (150th) anniversary, called, “Virginia Tech: Creation. Celebration. Commission.” It was inspired by and dedicated to Nikki Giovanni.

AWARDS

2023-2024 American Council

2023-2024 American Council on Education Fellowship, a competitive, selective, professional development award.

2023 Winds of Change Award

2023 Winds of Change Award from the Forum on Workplace Inclusion recognizes an individual who has demonstrated sustained support for advancing diversity and inclusion in the workplace; has raised awareness of workplace diversity and inclusion issues; and has been a catalyst for change regarding workplace diversity and inclusion and/or has impacted change within an industry, organization or local community.

2023 Top 50 Women Leaders of Virginia

2023 Top 50 Women Leaders of Virginia. This group of esteemed individuals are leading organizations across fields including healthcare, financial services, engineering, education, and more. This year’s awardees encourage and promote lasting changes around them, impacting the lives of other women and empowering them to lead in their own path.

2021 National Association

2021 National Association of Diversity Officers in Higher Education Inclusive Excellence Individual Leadership Award for outstanding contributions to research, administration, practice, advocacy and/or policy, and whose work informs and advances the understanding of diversity and inclusive excellence in higher education

2018 American Education Studies

2018 American Education Studies Association Critics’ Choice Outstanding Scholarship Award Winner for “A Black Woman’s Journey from Cotton Picking to College Professor: Lessons about Race, Class, and Gender in America”

2012 Larine Y. Cowan

2012 Larine Y. Cowan “Make a Difference Award” for Visionary Leadership in Diversity (a campus-wide award recognizing significant contributions to diversity at Illinois; received inaugural award for visionary leadership)

2011 Outstanding Research Contribution

2011 “Outstanding Research Contribution in African American Studies Award” for Critical Race, Feminism, and Education: A Social Justice Model

2010 Professor William H. Creswell, Jr.

2010 Professor William H. Creswell, Jr., Humanitarian and Community Service Award (a campus-wide award recognizing contributions to Illinois that impact the campus community)

Menah Pratt's Media Recognition

Menah Pratt has been featured in numerous publications and broadcasts that recognize her advocacy for diversity, equity, and inclusion. Her efforts have made a difference and inspired change in many organizations within the higher education industry. Here are some of the media outlets that have recognized her work:
View Media Appearances

Hire Menah

Looking for a highly qualified professional to speak at your next event, write an op-ed or article, or consult on issues of race, equity, and justice? Look no further than Menah Pratt, JD, PhD, author of Blackwildgirl: A Writer’s Journey to Take Back Her Superpower. With over 20 years of experience as a lawyer, educator, and writer, Menah can provide engaging and insightful commentary on a variety of topics, including but not limited to: Racial Justice & Equity, Women and Leadership, Education, LGBTQ+ issues, Global Inequality. Fill out the form to get in touch and schedule a consultation today!

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