LECTURES AND PROGRAMS

Throughout its history the African American Museum has sponsored lectures and conferences to educate the community about the African American experience. The Museum has sponsored lecture series such as the African American Heritage series, the Thelma Thompson Daniels Lecture series for Women’s History Month, and the ARCO Lecture Series. The Museum has pioneered two conferences: The Biennial Black Women’s Conference and the African American History in Texas Conference.

Upcoming Lectures & Programs

LG FOSTER, JR. LECTURE

Saturday, November 6, 2021 – 2:00 p.m.

This annual fall lecture presents a scholar in African American history and culture. The lecture is named for founding board member L.G. Foster, Jr. who was very instrumental in securing friends for the new facility in Fair Park and also an art educator. Dr. Mark E. Crayton, III

THELMA DANIELS DISTINGUISHED LECTURE

Saturday, March 5, 2022 – 2:00 p.m.

The Daniels Distinguished Lecture is devoted to topics in the humanities and/or women’s issues. Dr. Daniels was one of the founding supporters of the African American Museum at Bishop College. She served in several executive positions at The College and was in large measure responsible for the development of the Museum. Daniels was a master teacher who produced a number of students who went on to receive the doctoral degree in the humanities. Dr. Edleeca Thompson

MABEL WHITE WOMEN’S HISTORY MONTH LECTURE

Saturday, March 12, 2022 – 2:00 p.m.

The White Lecture is one three distinguished lectures presented during Women’s History Month. The White Lecture spotlights women’s religious and/or business issues. Mabel White was a founding Museum board member and community volunteer and church leader extraordinaire with South Dallas as her base. Dr. Candice Bledsoe

ESTELLA DOTY YOUNG LEADERS LECTURE

Saturday, March 26, 2022 – 2:00 p.m.

The Doty Lecture provides a platform for emerging female leaders with emphasis on leadership, education and/or religion Mrs. Doty was an educator/administrator in the Dallas Independent School District and an outstanding church leader in the community. Rev. Yvette Blair-Lavallais

TEXAS BIENNIAL AFRICAN AMERICAN HISTORY CONFERENCE: UNDERGROUND RAILROAD IN TEXAS

Saturday, April 9, 2022 – 10 a.m.-3p.m.

Traditionally, scholars who have studied the Underground Railroad maintained that African Americans escaped slavery by heading north to locations that supported the antislavery movement such as New York, Philadelphia, Cincinnati, and eventually, even to Canada. But historians have also found that there was a southern route that African Americans seeking freedom from slavery took through Texas into Mexico. This conference will feature scholars who have studied the southern route to freedom taken by African Americans and illuminate how African Americans found freedom in Mexico and made it as viable a “promised land” as Canada.

This conference is free and open to the public. For more information, contact Dr. W. Marvin Dulaney at wmdulaney@aamdallas.org.

BESSIE LASSITER LECTURE ON WOMEN’S HEALTH

Saturday, May 14, 2022 – 2:00 p.m.

The Lassiter Distinguished Lecture in Women’s Healthcare is devoted to women in health and women’s healthcare issues. Bessie Lassiter, a registered nurse, was the wife of Dr. Wright L. Lassiter, Jr., who with his two children endowed the lecture. Established healthcare professionals will be invited to present the lecture as part of our African American Heritage Series and a part of The Museum’s Culture of Wellness Initiative. Dr. Myrna Dartson