Dr. Beverly Daniel Tatum

Straight Talk About Leadership That Matters

SPEAKER | AUTHOR | THOUGHT LEADER

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Meet Dr. Beverly Daniel Tatum

Dr. Beverly Daniel Tatum, president emerita of Spelman College and recent interim president of Mount Holyoke College, is the author of the best-selling book, Why Are All the Black Kids Sitting Together in the Cafeteria? And Other Conversations about Race, now in its 20th anniversary edition.

A thought-leader in higher education, she was the 2013 recipient of the Carnegie Academic Leadership Award and the 2014 recipient of the American Psychological Association Award for Outstanding Lifetime Contributions to Psychology. Dr. Tatum holds a B.A. degree in psychology from Wesleyan University, a M.A. and Ph.D. in clinical psychology from University of Michigan, and a M.A. in Religious Studies from Hartford Seminary.

TESTIMONIALS

At a time when our country feels ever more divided and at odds, yours was a measured, thoughtful, and quietly powerful voice we all needed to hear. Indeed, when your session ended, my first thought was, ‘If everyone in the country just sat down and listened to Dr. Tatum for an hour or two, everything would be so much better.’”

 - Jen Shakeshaft,
Director of Strategic Initiatives & Professional Development

National Coalition of Girls' Schools

Your talk at our conference was exceptional by any standard. I heard much praise for it after you left. Your perspective, your ability to work in humor on the most serious of topics, and your use of poetry and literature -- they all combined for a perfect keynote.

- Scott Jaschik,
CEO and Editor,
Inside Higher Ed

Wow -  you really hit this one out of the park!! It is difficult to even start to fully express our deep appreciation to you for your marvelous presentation!! Plus everyone loved the opportunity to probe such an important topic via the provocative questions you asked!! You are a master teacher!!”

 - Anne W. Cramer,
former IBM executive and community leader

You were spectacular, as always.  The presidents loved learning from you, as did I.”

 - Judith Block McLaughlin, Faculty Chair,
Harvard Seminar for New Presidents,
Harvard Graduate School of Education

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IN THE NEWS

Higher education is hurting. Why should you care?

October 14, 2025

Colleges are facing a long list of problems right now, and it’s only getting longer. “Some people will care because they have college-aged children,”…

Dr. Beverly Daniel Tatum reflects on the ‘Peril and Promise’ of being a college leader today

October 10, 2025

From COVID-19 to protests to legal battles with the federal government, college and university leaders have been in the spotlight a lot in the…

Roll Call: College leadership in turbulent times

October 3, 2025

Being a college president has never been the easiest job. But today, it seems an impossible one. The campus may still be a place…

IHE: Leadership in Turbulent Times

September 24, 2025

Lessons in leading to help deal with the biggest issues facing colleges today. Beverly Daniel Tatum—two-time college president, New York Times bestselling author and one of…

Science: Academic leadership in uncertain times

September 23, 2025

A former college president offers advice for administrators navigating unprecedented challenges By: Susan Elrod Read article here.

WABE: Dr. Beverly Daniel Tatum on College Leadership in Turbulent Times

September 15, 2025

Political mandates are targeting diversity, equity, and inclusion programs. Debates over free speech and campus protests are intensifying. So, the question is: how can…

PHOTO GALLERY

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