During Black History Month, the Clinton Presidential Center has highlighted some of the acclaimed guests who joined its popular speaker series over the years to discuss topics ranging from the Little Rock Nine to an open conversation between Black mayors in Arkansas.
As February comes to an end, we’re looking back at a few standout moments from their video archives.
The Psychology of Race: Finding a Way Forward featuring Dr. Robert L. Williams II (2015)
In partnership with the Arkansas Black Hall of Fame and the City of Little Rock, the Clinton Foundation hosted a presentation in February 2015 by Dr. Robert L. Williams II. Dr. Williams is a Professor Emeritus of Psychology and African and Afro-American Studies at Washington University in St. Louis and is a prominent figure in the history of African-American Psychology. He is well-known for coining the word “Ebonics” in 1973 and was a founding member of the Association of Black Psychologist. Dr. Williams was a 2011 inductee into the Arkansas Black Hall of Fame.
Kumpuris Distinguished Lecture featuring Lonnie G. Bunch III (2020)
On Aug. 6, 2020, the Clinton Foundation and Clinton School of Public Service hosted a Frank and Kula Kumpuris Distinguished Lecture featuring Lonnie G. Bunch III, Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution, and moderated by author and Pulitzer Prize-winning historian Taylor Branch, who has served with Secretary Bunch since 2005 on the Scholarly Advisory Council making plans for the National Museum of African American History and Culture.
The Little Rock Nine Exhibit
This video is part of the Clinton Presidential Center’s exhibit about the Little Rock Nine, the first Black students to integrate Little Rock Central High School. In 1999, President Bill Clinton presented the members of the Little Rock Nine with the Congressional Gold Medal Ceremony during a ceremony in the East Room of the White House.
Bridge Builders: An Inspiring Conversation with Michael Tyler (2020)
On Sept. 1, the Clinton Center hosted a Bridge Builders Conversation with author Michael Tyler, moderated by author and presidential diarist Janis Kearney.
Mr. Tyler’s award-winning children’s picture book, “The Skin You Live In”, delivers an important message of social acceptance to young readers. During the conversation, he discussed what motivated him to write the book — a children’s book that also resonates with adults, how our country has changed in the 15 years since the book was published, what acceptance means and more.
Making History: African-American Mayors in Arkansas (2019)
In February 2019, the Clinton Presidential Center hosted a conversation with four African-American mayors of Arkansas cities. The panel, moderated by former Little Rock Mayor Lottie Shackelford, featured newly-elected mayors Veronica Smith-Creer of El Dorado, George McGill of Fort Smith and Frank Scott Jr. of Little Rock, as well as Mayor Shirley Washington of Pine Bluff, who was first elected in 2016.
The Clinton Center’s 2019 Black History Month programming was sponsored by First Arkansas Bank & Trust; Mays, Byrd & Associates; Olly Neal Advocates; and Wilbur Peer Sr., Farmer and President KKAC Foundation.
Find more lectures and performances on the Clinton Center’s Black Voices & Black History YouTube playlist.
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