Lori L. Tharps is

… a dynamic, creative and enthusiastic speaker, workshop leader and panelist. Whether she’s speaking to an intimate group or lecturing to a crowd of many, Tharps displays a natural talent for engaging her audience. She has delivered speeches and led workshops at colleges and universities in the United States ( Princeton, Colgate, Haverford College, Barnard College and Simmons College) and the United Kingdom.

She is a sought after motivational speaker for high school students and faculty, and she is a popular choice for conferences(AEJMC, AWP) and national conventions (NABJ, NAACP), particularly when the subject matter requires a critical but accessible analysis of race and popular culture.

Lori has also presented and moderated panels at regional, national and international writing conferences and literary festivals including, The Mixed Roots Film and Literary Festival, the Celebration of Black Writing, The Miami Book Fair, the Virginia Festival of the Book and the Calabash Literary Festival.

Popular Speech Topics Tharps can present include, but are not limited to:

• The Culture and Politics of Black Hair: From the 15th - 21st Century

• Parenting Beyond Black and White: Multicultural Parenting in 21st Century America

• Can We Talk?: How to Talk About Race in the Workplace/Classroom/At Home

• Doing Diversity with Intention and Joy

• Same Family, Different Colors: How Skin Color Politics Affect Family Dynamics

If you’d like to hire Lori as a speaker, moderator or workshop leader for your next event, please contact her assistant, Davis Hughes, at DavisHughes215@gmail.com.