Dr. Hilda R. Tompkins

John F. Kennedy, Jr. said 'ask not what your country can do for you, but what you can do for your country'. Martin Luther King, Jr. said 'life’s most persistent and urgent question is, What are you doing for others?' Dr. Hilda R. Tompkins has taken both of these quotes to heart and has incorporated them into her personal and professional life. As a result, she has shied away from working with for profits and other corporate entities, choosing instead to serve in non-profits or government agencies committed to the delivery of meaningful and significant services for the betterment of humankind.

Tompkins is a retired educator and trainer who most recently served as a training specialist with Babies Can’t Wait (BCW). Prior to joining BCW, Tompkins served as Senior Director of Educational Partnerships and Initiatives with The Martin Luther King, Jr. Center for Nonviolent Social Change (The King Center). Tompkins has a wealth of experience in higher education serving as: Vice President for Accreditation for the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP); Director of Program Approval with the Georgia Professional Standards Commission; and Early Childhood Coordinator for Georgia's Technical College System.

Before transitioning into the field of education Tompkins, who has a bachelor’s degree in Journalism from the University of Georgia (UGA), served in a number of challenging positions in public relations, promotions, cultural affairs, education and training with The King Center. She received her Masters’ degree in education from Georgia State University and an earned Doctorate degree in education from UGA. Her dissertation is entitled, 'To Redeem the Soul of America: the Leadership Challenges Martin Luther King, Jr. Faced and Managed as Leader of a Social Movement'. At the time it was written, her dissertation was the only one that had been written specifically on Dr. King’s leadership.

Tompkins is a published author. The short story entitled "Daddy" which she wrote in collaboration with Yolanda D. King, is part of the Norton Anthology Talk That Talk published by Simon & Schuster. Tompkins’ most recent speaking-teaching engagements include: Martin Luther King, Jr.’s Leadership – A Three Part Series taught virtually to students from around the world for The King Center; The Making of a Leader - Martin Luther King, Jr.’s Leadership, a seminar developed and delivered to UGA leadership students; 'A Legacy of Service and Commitment in Action', keynote speaker for the annual MLK Celebration for the National Association of University Women – Little Rock Arkansas Branch; and 'The Making of a Leader – How Dr. King became a Drum Major for Justice', keynote speaker for Georgia State University Sources Conference.

Tompkins volunteers for a number of nonprofits. She served on the Advisory Board of the Alliance Theatre; Past President of the Board of Directors of the Georgia Association on Young Children which is the state affiliate to the national association; and as an emerging leader with the Washington, D.C. based Children’s Defense Fund to name a few. Tompkins is a native Atlantan but has travelled extensively across N. America, S. America, Central America, Europe, Asia and Africa.