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Author Talk: ‘The Spirit of Justice: Stories of Race, Faith, & Resistance’
Historian and New York Times bestselling author Dr. JEMAR TISBY draws on his book The Spirit of Justice: Stories of Race, Faith, & Resistance in this riveting presentation on the eternal wellspring of hope breaking the bonds of oppression and inspiring a legacy of liberation. Laying out the steps towards unleashing a spirit of justice, Dr. Tisby shares empowering stories of people who opposed racism, how they did it, what it cost, and what they gained for themselves and others.
Information on book buys and signings is available upon request.
Author Talk: 'How to Fight Racism'
Once you’re convinced that racism is a problem, what do you do about it? This talk answers that question. Based on a unique model called the A.R.C. of Racial Justice, this talk prioritizes the practical. You will walk away with concrete strategies and a theoretical framework for addressing racial injustice today. This talk pairs well with JEMAR TISBY’s book, How to Fight Racism.
Information on book buys and signings is available upon request.
Building an Anti-Racist Corporate Culture
Historian and New York Times bestselling author JEMAR TISBY brings history to bear with contemporary relevance. From the historical context, to understanding what anti-racism means today, Tisby’s analysis is accessible for groups at any stage of the conversation. With his informative and engaging explorations, Tisby offers thoughtful strategies for organizations seeking to build anti-racist corporate cultures, including clear paths forward to meaningful action.
Faith in the Black Freedom Struggle
While many people of faith chose compromise and complicity in the face of racism, Black Christians leaned on messages of liberation found in their religion to fight against oppression. This talk traces the role of faith in the Black freedom struggle from the Revolutionary era to the Black Lives Matter era and discusses the ongoing importance of Christian movements for justice today.
“I’m Not Backing Off”: The Inspiring Life of Fannie Lou Hamer
Fannie Lou Hamer was born into a sharecropping family in Mississippi in 1917. From her earliest days she knew poverty and racial oppression. Her life dramatically changed one day when she heard a presentation at church about voting rights and became an activist herself. Rising to national prominence as an advocate for Black voting rights and economic uplift, her example of faith and courage provides a model for how to pursue freedom in the present day.
How to Survive as a PoC at a PWI
Being a person of color (PoC) at a predominantly white institution (PWI) can be a lonely and wearisome experience. Drawing on his years within various PWIs, JEMAR TISBY explains how to maneuver in such environments and work for positive change while there. He incorporates elements of racial identity development, US history, and personal experience to empower racial and ethnic minorities to be agents of positive change in their organizations.
How to Talk to Your Kids about Race
Many of us wonder how we can talk to our children and other young people about race. The topic is so sensitive, it can be graphic, and it is always sobering. In this talk JEMAR TISBY will speak from his experiences as a middle school teacher and principal as well as a parent himself. He will bring forth insights from history and psychology to discuss how to talk to kids about race. He will also share some resources such as children’s books and possible excursions to help facilitate this important dialogue. You will come away with more confidence and more tools to equip your kids to be antiracist.
Red and Blue and Black and White
From inflammatory comments on social media, to deliberately provocative statements from pundits, to an attempted insurrection—the gulf separating Republicans and Democrats is large and growing. JEMAR TISBY talks about the history of our partisan divide and how we got to the present-day polarization in our politics. Of course, this is a story that is closely tied to racism and power. In this presentation you will learn how legislators enacted racist policies to keep Black people and other people of color from voting, achieving economic independence, and mobilizing for change. You will also learn more about how to communicate with people across deeply entrenched political divides and how we can work at a policy level to enact much-needed change.
10 Things to Know about Antiracism
The word “antiracism” gets thrown around a lot these days. But seldom do we pause to learn the basics of antiracism. In this talk JEMAR TISBY breaks down the word and the concept of antiracism with the goal that people would learn how to actually be antiracist in their own lives. We answers 10 questions such as “What does antiracism mean?” And “What do we get wrong about antiracism?” This innovative and practical presentation can be delivered as a traditional keynote talk or it can done interview style with a host asking the 10 questions while also leaving time for more questions from the audience.
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Dr. Jemar Tisby provides a new perspective on the power of faith communities in ‘The Spirit of Justice: Stories of Race, Faith, & Resistance’
Historian and New York Times bestselling author Dr. JEMAR TISBY shares a historical survey of faith communities' work fighting racism in The Spirit of Justice: Stories of Race, Faith, & Resistance. A riveting storyteller, Dr. Tisby’s narrative retelling of real-world examples of people who opposed racism provides a rich nuance to our understanding of how they resisted, what it cost, and what they gained. When read together and experienced live with the author, Dr. Tisby's The Spirit of Justice succeeds in reminding communities about the eternal wellspring of hope that can be found in faith, history, and antiracist action.
Information on book buys and signings is available upon request.
Watch Dr. Jemar Tisby on the Advent Next Theological Podcast >>
NYT bestselling author Jemar Tisby inspires audiences at the Methodist Theological School in Ohio to take anti-racist action
Public historian and New York Times bestselling author JEMAR TISBY spread a message of anti-racist faith practice to students, staff, board members, and administrators at the Methodist Theological School in Ohio (MTSO). Addressing the next generation of theologians, Tisby led an informative conversation about exploring racial justice solutions and cultural conversations leading to action in a seminary context over dinner. Over a hundred total attendees tuned in to every word, leaving with the inspiration to use Tisby’s proprietary A.R.C. of racial justice to fight everyday racism using a theological framework and concrete strategies for addressing injustice. Exploring the intersection between race and religion, Tisby’s informed perspective prioritizes practical action and leaves audiences ready to do the work. To complement Jemar Tisby’s in-person appearance, MTSO bought copies of his New York Times bestselling book, The Color of Compromise, for their entire constituency. Tisby’s book is must-read for any institution looking to act on a commitment to ongoing anti-racism. MTSO said, “It was a great experience. From the meal to the conversation, everyone was engaged.”
Jemar Tisby is a wonderful fit for faith-based audiences, but he makes equality accessible to any audience with his deep knowledge of history and compassionate framework for discussion. Alteryx said, “This is the best approach I've experienced yet on digging into deeper feelings and perceptions - Dr. Tisby is gifted.”
Hear Jemar Tisby in conversation with Wheaton College on complicity in racism >>
Event Success Story: Jemar Tisby tailors a powerful keynote and impresses an audience of mental health professionals
Public historian, New York Times bestselling author, co-host of the Pass The Mic podcast, and founder of The Witness, Inc. JEMAR TISBY spoke to approximately 400+ mental health professionals, social services employees, school employees, and community members at the Fernbrook Family Center in Minnesota. In his powerful keynotes, Tisby explores the impacts of history and racial justice solutions in a way that compels listeners to action, followed by a meaningful Q&A opportunity for continued engagement with his richly-informed perspective. Although Tisby usually discusses the intersection of race and religion – the foundation of his New York Times bestselling book The Color of Compromise – he is a dynamic and flexible speaker and tailored this presentation for a broader secular audience. The event was a tremendous success, with the host sharing, “The event was great and everyone was so grateful and appreciative to be able to hear Mr. Tisby speak.”
Jemar Tisby teaches audiences how to be anti-racist
JEMAR TISBY is a public historian with the ability to explore racial justice solutions and start cultural conversations that compel listeners to action. Tisby discusses these themes in his books, The Color of Compromise —a New York Times bestseller — and How to Fight Racism, as well as in his writing in the Washington Post, CNN, and The Atlantic. He’s a true knowledge source on the subject of anti-racism, and was featured on Yahoo! news to discuss How to Fight Racism and the intersection between race and religion. He co-hosts the Pass The Mic podcast, which got nearly half a million downloads in 2020, speaks nation-wide at conferences, and is the founder of The Witness Inc, an organization dedicated to Black uplift from a Christian perspective.
Throughout U.S. history, well-meaning people have demonstrated a consistent unwillingness to challenge racism. But it is not only the people who tied the lyncher’s noose or who put on white robes and hoods who are responsible. Tisby's talks walk through the history of everyday complicity with racism and end with a call to action so that the past does not determine the future. Based on a unique model called the A.R.C. of Racial Justice, his talks prioritize the practical, so audiences walk away with concrete strategies and a theoretical framework for addressing racial injustice today. Tisby helps all audiences realize their responsibility and become allies who are courageous in purposefully stepping up to dismantle racism.
Dr. Jemar Tisby is a renowned writer, speaker, and professor who has dedicated his life to becoming a lifelong leader in the movement for racial justice. He is committed to educating people about the history of racism in America and to empowering them to take action to bring about change.
Born and raised near Chicago, Tisby's educational journey began at the University of Notre Dame, where he graduated magna cum laude in American Studies and Theology and is proud to say that he never missed a home football game! Go Irish!
He went on to become a corps member in the Teach For America program. He was placed in the Mississippi Delta on the Arkansas side, and taught sixth grade Science and Social Studies. After several years teaching, he became principal of the middle school.
Dr. Tisby then went back to school earning a Master of Divinity degree from Reformed Theological Seminary, where he was recognized with a rare two graduation awards: one in preaching and one in cross cultural ministry.
He went on to earn his PhD from the University of Mississippi studying race, religion, and social movements in the twentieth century. The university awarded him a full merit-based scholarship and he received numerous fellowship opportunities and a research grant.
Dr. Tisby was selected as the class marshall of his graduating class and gave a speech at commencement. Upon graduating, the school of Liberal Arts recognized him with the Graduate Achievement Award.
Tisby's work as a writer has had a profound impact on readers. He has written three books: “The Color of Compromise,” “How to Fight Racism,” and “How to Fight Racism: Young Readers Edition.” All three of his books have either become bestsellers, award winners, or both. His book, "The Color of Compromise," was named the "Book of the Year" by Englewood Review of Books and appeared on the New York Times, USA Today, and Wall Street Journal bestseller lists.
“How to Fight Racism: Young Readers Edition” received an Award of Merit from ChristianityToday. In 2022, “How to Fight Racism” was the winner of the ECPA Christian Book Award for Faith & Culture.
Dr. Tisby has also contributed chapters or introductions to seven other books, further showcasing his expertise in the field of African American history and racial justice. Numerous testimonials, quotes, and endorsements from readers as well as invitations to speak nationwide attest to the significant impact of his books.
Tisby's visionary leadership extends beyond the classroom and the written word. Tisby provides audiences with richly-informed explorations, unflinching moral insight, and clear paths forward to meaningful conversation and action for more anti-racist workplaces and communities. He has appeared on major news networks such as CNN, MSNBC, and NPR. He also founded The Witness: A Black Christian Collective and The Witness Foundation. He has spoken at various institutions, including the Brookings Institution, the Faith Angle Forum, the American Society of Church History, the Conference on Faith and History, and the American Historical Association.
In 2021, he was named one of Twenty-one Faith Leaders to Watch in 2021 by the Center for American Progress.
As a podcaster, Tisby has spent 10 years co-hosting the "Pass the Mic" podcast and helped propel the Leave Loud campaign into a national spotlight starting with the telling of his own story of leaving the Christian spaces he fought so long to feel welcome to instead begin building his own table of hospitality for other Christians of color.
Dr. Tisby also created and hosts the Footnotes Podcast where he discusses current and historical events and has interviewed esteemed peers and colleagues highlighting their knowledge on various topics through series such as "White Nation Under God," "Those Meddling Kids," and "I'm Dreaming of a Not White Christmas."
Currently, Dr. Tisby is a professor at Simmons College of Kentucky, a faith-based HBCU founded in 1879, where he teaches African American history.
With his extensive experience and expertise in the field of racial justice and Black history, Dr. Jemar Tisby is a leader dedicated to helping others become the headlights shining the way forward on the journey of racial justice.
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