Frank Leon Roberts, Oakland California, January 2017

Frank Leon Roberts, Oakland California, January 2017

Frank Roberts brought everyone to their feet at the 13th Annual Black Policy Conference at the Harvard Kennedy School. The theme of our conference was “Why We Can’t Wait.” This year’s Black Policy Conference sought to give attendees the tools to fight injustice in the 21st century. Frank Robert’s body of work inspired our conference attendees to stand up and fight oppression. He electrified our audience and gave them the necessary words of encouragement to make a difference in their communities.
— Michael Huggins, Co-Chair, Harvard University Kennedy School of Government 13th Annual Black Policy Conference
The Humanities Institute at the University of South Florida hosted Frank Leon Roberts in January 2017 and he was electric. His insight into the history and complexity of race relations in the U.S. is outstanding and his unique combination of scholarly work and community activism gives him insight into contemporary issues unlike any speaker I’ve seen. His energy is contagious and we received nothing but glowing praise after his visit to USF. Both organizations and individuals can find it difficult to talk about race, but Roberts facilitates conversation with enthusiasm and honesty, encouraging the kind of open dialogue that is sorely needed in this country. The Black Lives Matter Syllabus is an extraordinary intersectional work rooted in scholarship and addressing contemporary social issues. Frank brought our audience to their feet and I’m confident that whether your organization is on the leading edge of racial justice or just beginning to have conversations, Frank Leon Roberts is someone you need to work with.
— Elizabeth Kicak, Director, University of Southern Florida Humanities Institute
Frank Roberts, through a powerful combination of voice, passion, expertise—and what I can only describe as love—captivates large crowds the way most of us wish we could but few are able to.
— Thomas Chatterton Williams, New York Times Magazine
“Frank Roberts brings a clear, yet nuanced understanding of the call for human rights inherent in the Black Lives Matter movement. His is able to effectively unpack this multifaceted demand for justice so that it is relevant, contextualized, and affirming for all who are committed to doing and supporting the work.”
— Mia Henry, Executive Director, Arcus Center for Social Justice Leadership
The University of California, Berkeley was thrilled by the presence of Frank Leon Roberts as one of its 2017 Black History Month Keynote speakers. Students and faculty alike were floored by Frank’s deep insights, intellectual erudition, and overall poise. His ability to contextualize the history of race relations in America—-particularly as it relates to the vibrant black lives matter movement—is simply unmatched among his peers. As one of the architects of the #BlackLivesMatterSyllabus movement, Frank is one of the country’s most knowledgeable experts. He is a brilliant teacher and organizer, and one of the best public speakers we’ve seen in a long time.
— ~Marques Redd, Assistant Director, UC Berkeley

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2017 Black History Month Keynote Speech, "A Litany for Survival: Black Lives Matter in the Age of Trump." University of California, Berkeley.

The BlackLivesMatterSyllabus Tour 

A favorite on college campuses, The Black Lives Matter Syllabus Tour helps audiences understand the history and significance of the Black Lives Matter movement while promoting education as a means of effective community organizing. 

Frank Roberts's energetic presentations bridge the gap between theory and practice, as he complements decades of firsthand experience as a grassroots political organizer with an intellectual framework supported by his deep historical knowledge of human rights activism and grassroots organizing.

As he recounts the origins of BLM and the social context that the movement emerged from, Frank captivates audiences with his passionate declarations in favor of empowerment for marginalized communities. He inspires participants to learn from the past and use their energy today to create a world that works for everyone.

Designed to energize, mobilize, and inspire progressive communities--the Black Lives Matter Syllabus Tour reminds us that it is our duty to fight for our freedom and it is our duty to win.

Recent BlackLivesMatterSyllabus Keynote Engagements: 

1/12 Oakland, California
Keynote: The Head Royce School
Sponsored by: Office for Diversity and Equity
Click here for details.

1/24 Tampa, Florida
Keynote: University of Southern Florida
Sponsored by: University of Southern Florida Humanities Center
Click here for details.

2/22 Bellevue, Washington
Keynote: Bellevue College, Black History Month
Sponsored: Bellevue College Office of Multicultural Student Affairs;
Provost’s Office
Click here for details.

2/3 Earlham, Indiana
Keynote: Earlham College
Sponsored by: Earlham College Diversity Council
Click here for details.

2/27 Berkeley, California
Keynote: UC Berkeley, Black History
Sponsored by: Dean’s Office; School of Public Health
Click here for details.

2/28 New York, New York
Moonlight: New York Premiere
Sponsored by: A24 Studios (Distributor, Moonlight, Dir. By Barry Jenkins)
Click here for details.

3/10-3/20 Paris, France & Amsterdam, Netherlands
Keynote: Ferguson in Paris
Sponsored by: Access Africa Inc.
Click here for details.

3/29 Kalamazoo, Michigan
Keynote: Arcus Center for Social Justice Leadership, Kalamazoo College
Sponsored by: Black Lives Matter Kalamazoo; Arcus Center for Social Justice Leadership
Click here for details.

4/6 Yakima, Washington
Keynote: Washington Students of Color Association Conference
Sponsored by: Washington Students of Color Association

Link: http://www.mssdc.com/2017-SOCC-Keynotes-Information.pdf

4/8 Cambridge, Massachusetts
Keynote: Harvard Kennedy School
Sponsored by: Black Policy Conference Committee, Harvard University John F. Kennedy School of Government
Click here for details.

4/19 Los Angeles, California
University of Southern California
Sponsored by: University of California School of Law; USC Student Government Association

5/2
Hamden, Connecticut
Quinnipiac University
Sponsored by: Office of the Dean

Spring 2018

1/15  Concord, New Hampshire
Keynote: The St. Paul's School
Sponsored by: Office of Diversity and Inclusion
Click here for details.

1/19 Terre Haute, Indiana
Keynote: Indiana State University
Sponsored by: Charles E. Brown African American Cultural Center  
Click here for details.

3/19 Ithaca, New York
Keynote: Cornell University
Sponsored by: Office of Diversity and Inclusion
Click here for details.

4/19 Providence, Rhode Island
Keynote: Brown University
Sponsored by:  Center for Study of Race & Ethnicity and The Humanities Institute
Click here for details.

Spring 2019

1/21:  Moorehead, Minnesota
MLK Keynote: Concordia College
Sponsored by: Concordia College Martin Luther King Jr. Day Commemorative Celebration
Click here for details.

1/22: Vincennes, Indiana
MLK Keynote: Vincennes University
Sponsored by: Office of Multicultural Affairs
Click here for details.

2/1: Toronto, Canada
Sponsored by: The Black Liberation Symposium

2/16/19- 2/22/19: Los Angeles, California 

Special engagement, details to be announced.

2/26: Lexington, Kentucky
Keynote Lecture: University of Kentucky
Sponsored by: The Center for Graduate and Professional Diversity Initiatives

Spring 2020

College Station, Texas

Keynote Speaker: Texas A & M University

South Western Black Student Union Leadership Conference

1/19/20