Robin Kelley

Professor of African American Studies & Author

Travels From Travels From:
Los Angeles, CA, USA
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Robin Kelley Biography

Author and historian Robin D.G. Kelley is a Professor of American Studies and Ethnicity at the University of Southern California. Kelley has authored several significant works, including the biography "Thelonious Monk: His Story, His Song, His Times," and is recognized for his contributions to the study of African American culture through books such as "Race Rebels: Culture Politics and the Black Working Class," "Yo’ Mama’s DisFunktional!: Fighting the Culture Wars in Urban America," and "Freedom Dreams: The Black Radical Imagination." He is currently working on a new book titled "Speaking in Tongues: Jazz and Modern Africa."

Kelley has held notable academic positions including being a Professor of History and Africana Studies at New York University, where he also served as the Chairman of the History Department. He was the William B. Ransford Professor of Cultural and Historical Studies at Columbia University and played a significant role in its Institute for Research in African-American Studies. His academic journey is backed by a PhD in US History and an MA in African History from UCLA.

Kelley's prolific writing extends beyond books to over 100 magazine articles featured in respected publications like The Nation, Monthly Review, The New York Times, Rolling Stone, and African Studies Review. His career spans several top-tier institutions, and his scholarly work continues to inform and shape discussions in African American studies and beyond.

Topics

Before Obama: How Black Folks Saved American Democracy

Teaching to Change the World: Transforming Public Education

The Secret Racial History of American Prosperity

Thelonious Monk: The Life & Music of an American Genius

Another Reconstruction?: Race & Reparations in Post-Katrina America

‘We Threaten the World’: African Americans & U.S. Empire

‘A Joyful Noise’: Modern Jazz & Spirituality

BOOK Robin Kelley

Speaker profile last updated by AAE Talent Team on 09/23/2024.

Robin Kelley Speaking Topics

  • ‘A Joyful Noise’: Modern Jazz & Spirituality

  • ‘We Threaten the World’: African Americans & U.S. Empire

  • Another Reconstruction?: Race & Reparations in Post-Katrina America

  • Thelonious Monk: The Life & Music of an American Genius

  • The Secret Racial History of American Prosperity

    Most people think of racism and the legacy of slavery as a "black thing." But this troubling history continues to provide significant financial benefits for whites. This lecture exposes how slavery, segregation, racism, and government policy generated wealth for a large segment of white America while impoverishing most African Americans and Latinos.

  • Teaching to Change the World: Transforming Public Education

    This lecture asks, what are we educating our children for? What kind of citizens, what kind of human beings do we want them to become? Using the Mississippi Freedom Schools as a model, Kelly critiques the current direction of American public education and offer a radically different vision for transforming our schools.

Robin Kelley Books

  • Africa Speaks, America Answers: Modern Jazz in Revolutionary Times (The Nathan I. Huggins Lectures)
    Africa Speaks, America Answers: Modern Jazz in Revolutionary Times (The Nathan I. Huggins Lectures)
  • Thelonious Monk: The Life and Times of an American Original
    Thelonious Monk: The Life and Times of an American Original
  • Freedom Dreams: The Black Radical Imagination
    Freedom Dreams: The Black Radical Imagination
  • Yo' Mama's Disfunktional
    Yo' Mama's Disfunktional
  • Race Rebels : Culture, Politics, and the Black Working Class
    Race Rebels : Culture, Politics, and the Black Working Class
  • Into the Fire: African Americans Since 1970 (Young Oxford History of African Americans)
    Into the Fire: African Americans Since 1970 (Young Oxford History of African Americans)

FAQs on booking Robin Kelley

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  • What topics does Robin Kelley speak about?

    Robin Kelley is a keynote speaker and industry expert whose speaking topics include Authors, Black Heritage, College, Culture, Diversity & Inclusion, Government, Inspirational, World Affairs.
  • Where does Robin Kelley travel from?

    Robin Kelley generally travels from Los Angeles, CA, USA, but can be booked for private corporate events, personal appearances, keynote speeches, or other performances. For more details, please contact an AAE Booking agent.
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    AAE Speakers Bureau has successfully booked keynote speakers like Robin Kelley for clients worldwide since 2002. As a full-service speaker booking agency, we have access to virtually any speaker or celebrity in the world. Our agents are happy and able to submit an offer to the speaker or celebrity of your choice, letting you benefit from our reputation and long-standing relationships in the industry. Please click the Check Availability button above and complete the form on this page including the details of your event, or call our office at 1.800.698.2536, and one of our agents will assist you to book Robin Kelley for your next private or corporate function.
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Robin Kelley is a keynote speaker and industry expert who speaks on a wide range of topics such as ‘A Joyful Noise’: Modern Jazz & Spirituality, ‘We Threaten the World’: African Americans & U.S. Empire, Another Reconstruction?: Race & Reparations in Post-Katrina America, Thelonious Monk: The Life & Music of an American Genius, The Secret Racial History of American Prosperity and Teaching to Change the World: Transforming Public Education. The estimated speaking fee range to book Robin Kelley for your event is $5,000 - $10,000. Robin Kelley generally travels from Los Angeles, CA, USA and can be booked for (private) corporate events, personal appearances, keynote speeches, or other performances. Similar motivational celebrity speakers are Jared Cohen, John Zogby, Isaiah Washington, Jesse Jackson and Chris Mburu. Contact All American Speakers for ratings, reviews, videos and information on scheduling Robin Kelley for an upcoming live or virtual event.

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