Expert on Race, Racism to Present Next UM President’s Lecture

President's Lecture speaker Dr. Beverly Daniel Tatum

MISSOULA – An educator, expert on racism and bestselling author will headline the next installment of the President’s Lecture Series at the University of Montana.

Dr. Beverly Daniel Tatum will present “A Virtual Conversation About Race and Racism” at noon Wednesday, March 3, via Zoom. This event will be moderated by Dr. Karla Bird, president of Blackfeet Community College, and will be open to the entire Montana community. Audience members are asked to register in advance at www.umt.edu/president to join the conversation.

Tatum also participated in an interview on UM’s “A New Angle” podcast, and she will participate in an intimate moderated discussion with Montana University System Teaching Scholars.

A clinical psychologist widely known for her expertise on race relations, Tatum is president emerita of Spelman College in Atlanta. She is a thought leader in higher education and the author of several books, including the bestselling “Why Are All the Black Kids Sitting Together in the Cafeteria? and Other Conversations About Race” (now in a 20th anniversary edition) and “Can We Talk About Race? and Other Conversations in an Era of School Resegregation” (2007).

Tatum was the 2013 recipient of the Carnegie Academic Leadership Award and the 2014 recipient of the American Psychological Association Award for Outstanding Lifetime Contributions to Psychology. She holds master’s and doctorate degrees in clinical psychology from the University of Michigan and a master’s degree in religious studies from Hartford Seminary.

“Dr. Tatum is a sought-after speaker whose expertise on racial identity development, race and education deserves our attention,” said Kelly Webster, chief of staff with the UM Office of the President. “We are excited to invite the Montana community to learn from her and to explore strategies for building more equity-minded environments.”

UM’s Mansfield Library maintains a “Resources Against Racism” webpage, which Webster said includes information on Tatum’s work and other resources for building inclusive, anti-racist communities.

Additionally, state teachers can earn renewal credits through the Montana Office of Public Instruction by participating in Tatum’s talk. Those interested should email Randi Edwards in advance at randi.edwards@mso.umt.edu for more information.

For decades, the President’s Lecture Series has provided opportunities to gather, learn and discuss important ideas and issues that animate UM and the communities of Montana. UM President Seth Bodnar continues this tradition by hosting a series that challenges all to engage in meaningful and enjoyable learning, both on and off campus. This installment is online to protect people during the pandemic.

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Contact: UM Office of the President, 406-243-2311, thepresident@umontana.edu.