Terrence Roberts

Dr. Terrence Roberts was one of the Little Rock Nine (the nine children who were the first to integrate the Little Rock Public Schools in 1957). In his presentation, Dr. Roberts guides participants through the exploration of the lessons to be learned from the chaotic episode at Central High School. He believes that there are still great strides to be made in terms of interactions across lines of demarcation. He endeavors to alleviate the confusion in all the various arenas of difference and diversity that characterize our nation. Little Rock offered dramatic examples of negative approaches to difference and the problem those approaches create. The major part of Dr. Roberts’ presentations is devoted to identifying the lessons and urging the audience to commit to using this information.

Dr. Roberts holds a PhD in Psychology from Southern Illinois University and a MSW from the University of California, Los Angeles. He is licensed in California as both a psychologist and a social worker. He has served since 1975 as CEO of Terrence J. Roberts & Associates, a management consultant firm. This group has provided consultation to a wide variety of clients including Cedars Sinai Hospital, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Internal Revenue Service and Pepperdine University. The group offers expertise in several areas, including managing racial and ethnic diversity and developing multicultural awareness.

Dr. Roberts is the author of Lessons from Little Rock, a memoir about his life experiences, and the recently published Simple, Not Easy: Reflections on Community, Social Responsibility, and Tolerance. Both books provide insight into Dr. Roberts’ depth of concern about the future of the United States.