Keynotes
For the past 25 years as a senior administrator, tenured full professor, author of four scholarly books, several book chapters and articles, I have committed to using my voice to make a difference at keynote presentations and campus lectures. As a trained lawyer, sociologist, and literary scholar, I offer a unique perspective on diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging; women’s leadership; social justice; critical race feminism and critical race theory.
I have spoken and delivered workshops and consultations nationally and internationally, at large and small universities, historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs), historically and predominantly White universities, large national and regional conferences, and commencements. In 2018, I did a 20-city book tour on From Cotton Picking to College Professor: Lessons about Race, Class, and Gender in America. In 2022, I was invited to serve as a panelist for the White House Initiative on Advancing Educational Equity, Excellence, and Economic Opportunity for Black Americans for a roundtable on Black Brilliance: Supporting Black Faculty in Higher Education. In 2023, I was a guest of Areva Martin, discussing the effort to end Black history courses in state legislators. I also was a guest of the US Embassy in Ethiopia, speaking to alumni from the Young African Leaders Initiative of President Obama. I also spoke at universities in Ethiopia and Benin. In 2024, I will speak at universities in New Delhi, India.
In 2021, I did a Tedx talk called, “What’s the point? We are the point!”
All of our lives are meaningless if we are not intentional in making a point with our lives, having impact, and putting a dot – however small — on the map of life. It is proof that we were here, we lived, and we made a difference.
A recent podcast with Living Corporate about Why Women of Color Deserve more:
Highlights from speaking engagements:
Honors and Recognitions
2023-2024 American Council on Education Fellow.
A prestigious, selective, year-long, individualized professional development program in higher education
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.
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 of Diversity
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
2010 Professor William H. Creswell, Jr., Humanitarian and Community Service Award (a campus-wide award recognizing contributions to Illinois that impact the campus community)