Dr. Beverly Daniel Tatum
Speaker, Author & Thought Leader
Dr. Beverly Daniel Tatum
Speaker, Author & Thought Leader
Biography
Dr. Beverly Daniel Tatum is a renowned scholar, bestselling author, and one of the nation’s leading voices on race and education, best known for her New York Times bestselling Why Are All the Black Kids Sitting Together in the Cafeteria? and Other Conversations About Race and Can We Talk About Race and Other Conversations in an Era of School Resegregation.
In her most recent book, Promises and Peril, Dr. Tatum examines the evolving landscape of higher education, offering thoughtful insight into both the challenges and opportunities facing institutions today. Drawing on her extensive leadership experience, she provides a forward-looking perspective on how colleges and universities can navigate change while remaining grounded in mission, equity, and student success.
An award-winning psychologist widely known for her expertise on race relations and as a thought leader in higher education, she is president emerita of Spelman College. Her thirteen years as the president of Spelman College (2002–2015) were marked by innovation and growth and her visionary leadership was recognized in 2013 with the Carnegie Academic Leadership Award. In spring 2017 she was the Mimi and Peter E. Haas Distinguished Visitor at Stanford University. During the academic year 2022–23, she served as interim president at Mount Holyoke College.
The combination of her expertise and her engaging, conversational style make Tatum a sought-after speaker on the topic of higher education leadership, strategies for creating inclusive campus and work environments, and the impact of race in the classroom.
Dr. Tatum holds a B.A. degree in psychology from Wesleyan University, and M.A. and Ph.D. in clinical psychology from the University of Michigan as well as an M.A. in Religious Studies from Hartford International University (formerly Hartford Seminary). She was the 2014 recipient of the American Psychological Association Award for Outstanding Lifetime Contributions to Psychology.
Speaker Videos
Is My Skin Brown Because I Drank Chocolate Milk? | Beverly Daniel Tatum | TEDxStanford
Is Segregation Among Adolescents Still a Problem?
Race in Education with Dr. Beverly Daniel Tatum | Black America
Speech Topics
Leading with Purpose: Advancing Inclusive Excellence Across Institutions
Excellence doesn’t happen without inclusion—it depends on it. Beverly Daniel Tatum draws on her distinguished career as a psychologist, educator, and former college president to show how institutions can align mission, values, and leadership practices to create environments where all individuals can thrive. She explores how leaders can build cultures of belonging that strengthen engagement, trust, and organizational effectiveness. Grounded in decades of experience, Tatum connects inclusive leadership to innovation, collaboration, and long-term success. This keynote challenges leaders to move beyond intention and embed inclusion as a core strategy for achieving excellence.
Audiences will learn:
- How inclusive leadership strengthens organizational performance and long-term success
- Practical strategies for cultivating cultures of belonging and engagement
- Ways to align institutional values with everyday leadership practices
Promises and Peril: Confronting the Past to Shape a More Just Future
The American story is defined by both extraordinary promise and persistent inequity—and understanding both is essential to moving forward. Beverly Daniel Tatum draws from her latest work Promises and Peril to examine how historical legacies of racism continue to shape our institutions, communities, and daily lives. Blending historical insight with contemporary analysis, she challenges audiences to engage honestly with the past while recognizing its impact on present-day systems and opportunities.Tatum creates space for thoughtful dialogue, helping individuals and organizations navigate complex conversations with clarity and purpose.Grounded in both realism and hope, this keynote offers a path forward rooted in understanding, shared responsibility, and action. Audiences leave with a deeper awareness of what it will take to build a more equitable and inclusive future.
Audiences will learn:
- How historical patterns continue to influence present-day inequities
- Tools for engaging in meaningful conversations about race and shared responsibility
- Practical ways individuals and institutions can help advance a more just society
Related Speakers
)
New York Times Bestselling Author & James S. McDonnell Distinguished University Professor, Princeton University
)
)
)