Marc Lamont Hill Speaker Biography
Award-Winning Journalist, Social Activist, Professor, and Leading Intellectual
Dr. Marc Lamont Hill was born and raised in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, where his early experiences shaped a lifelong dedication to intellectual inquiry, social justice activism, and community empowerment. From a young age, he was inspired by family influences and community mentors who instilled in him a passion for critical thinking, literacy, and public engagement. He began his undergraduate studies at Morehouse College before completing his B.S. in Education and Spanish at Temple University. Driven by his commitment to scholarly excellence, Dr. Marc Lamont Hill earned both an M.A. and a Ph.D. (with distinction) from the University of Pennsylvania, solidifying his standing as a leading academic voice in race, culture, and education research.
Distinguished Academic Career
Dr. Marc Lamont Hill is the Presidential Professor of Anthropology and Urban Education at the City University of New York Graduate Center, where his teaching, research, and critical policy scholarship examine the intersections of race, culture, citizenship, and systemic inequality in the United States and the Middle East. His scholarly work bridges cultural anthropology, educational theory, and abolitionist thought, contributing to foundational texts in Hip-Hop Studies and educational anthropology. Prior to joining CUNY, Dr. Hill held prestigious faculty positions at Morehouse College, Temple University, and Columbia University, shaping future educators, scholars, and activists.
Award-Winning Journalism and Media Presence
An award-winning journalist and media commentator, Dr. Marc Lamont Hill is widely recognized for his insightful analysis of contemporary issues related to race, justice, and politics. He serves as the host of BET News and The Grio, bringing nuanced perspectives to national conversations on equity and democracy. Dr. Hill is also the anchor of Al Jazeera UpFront and the conversation-driven Coffee & Books podcast, platforms where he engages with authors, cultural leaders, and thought-provokers on literature, activism, and societal change. His dynamic media presence reflects a commitment to bridging academic rigor with accessible public discourse.
Author and Thought Leader
Dr. Marc Lamont Hill is the author or co-author of eight influential books that explore structural inequality, education policy, media culture, and political resistance. His work includes Beats, Rhymes, and Classroom Life: Hip-Hop Pedagogy and the Politics of Identity; Nobody: Casualties of America’s War on the Vulnerable from Ferguson to Flint and Beyond; We Still Here: Pandemic, Policing, Protest, and Possibility; Except For Palestine: The Limits of Progressive Politics; and Schooling Against the Prison. These writings have earned national recognition, resonating with readers across academia, activism, and policy circles for their depth, clarity, and transformative insight.
Lifetime Commitment to Social Justice
Since his youth in Philadelphia, Dr. Marc Lamont Hill has been an unyielding social justice activist and community organizer, advocating for human rights, criminal justice reform, and community empowerment. He has worked on campaigns to end the death penalty, challenge mass incarceration, and assist in the release of political prisoners. Dr. Hill is a founding board member of My5th, a nonprofit focused on educating youth about their legal rights and civic participation. His advocacy extends globally, supporting movements for human rights and collective liberation in diverse contexts.
Entrepreneurship and Community Impact
Beyond academia and media, Dr. Marc Lamont Hill is an innovative entrepreneur and community leader. He founded The People’s Education Center in Philadelphia, a hub for community-based learning and civic engagement, and is the owner of Uncle Bobbie’s Coffee & Books, one of the country’s most celebrated Black-owned bookstores and cultural spaces. Through these ventures, he fosters environments where critical literacy, cultural expression, and community dialogue thrive—demonstrating that education extends far beyond the classroom.
Legacy and Ongoing Influence
Dr. Marc Lamont Hill’s multifaceted career as an academic, journalist, author, speaker, and advocate positions him as one of the most influential intellectuals of his generation. Named by Ebony Magazine as one of America’s 100 most influential Black leaders, his contributions continue to shape national and global conversations about equity, justice, and human dignity. Dr. Hill’s work reflects an enduring belief in the power of education, critical discourse, and collective action to transform society.
Dynamic and Impactful Keynote Speaker
As a highly sought-after keynote speaker, Dr. Marc Lamont Hill delivers powerful, intellectually rigorous presentations that challenge audiences to think critically about leadership, social justice, diversity and inclusion, education reform, media literacy, and global human rights. Blending scholarly insight with compelling storytelling and real-world experience, Dr. Marc Lamont Hill engages corporate leaders, universities, nonprofit organizations, government agencies, and international forums with thought-provoking analysis and actionable takeaways. His keynote presentations address timely topics such as race and democracy, civic engagement, criminal justice reform, cultural politics, and the future of education, all grounded in research and lived experience. Known for his clarity, authenticity, and ability to connect across ideological differences, Dr. Marc Lamont Hill equips audiences with the tools to lead with courage, think expansively, and foster meaningful dialogue in complex and rapidly changing environments.
Marc Lamont Hill Speaking Topics
The War on Youth
In the last 50 years, America's youth have been increasingly marginalized in society. Marc Lamont Hill says we've replaced a language of love, when talking about our youth, with one of blame. America has inflicted injunctions on gangs, legislation against baggy pants, and attacks on rap music, all leading to the propaganda that today's youth are worse than young generations before them. Hill wants to combat the misconceptions plaguing today's youth with an acknowledgement that, as integral to American society's fabric, they are rich with resources rather than social burdens.
Building Community in an Hour of Chaos
Professor, author and cultural critic Dr. Marc Lamont Hill offers a critical analysis of the current social and political moment. By identifying key issues, challenges, controversies and trends that have emerged or lingered during this challenging time. Dr. Hill spotlights the work that must be done to sustain the progress of the freedom struggle. Moving beyond mere critique, he also provides concrete solutions as well as sites of hope and possibility for healing our national, local and university communities.
Why Black Fraternities & Sororities Still Matter
As we enter the 21st century, many people question the role, purpose, and function of Black Greek Letter Organizations (BGLOs). In this lecture, Marc Lamont Hill (a member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity Inc.) argues that Black fraternities and sororities still play a critical role in the Black community. He takes on some of the key issues and challenges faced by BGLOs such as hazing, political engagement, and institution building. Rather than merely spotlighting problems, Dr. Hill also offers concrete solutions and shares his vision for building and sustaining strong 21st-century Black fraternities and sororities.
Other Popular Speaking Topics Include:
Politics in America How to Fight and Defeat Racism Promoting Diversity in Education and Corporate America Building the Beloved Community Building Solidarity at Home and Abroad Toward an Abolitionist Vision The Mass Incarceration Crisis The New Black Church Educating Black Youth Towards a New Masculinity Race, Racism, and Professional Sports
The War on Education
Marc Lamont Hill Books
Seen and Unseen: Technology, Social Media, and the Fight for Racial Justice
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Nobody: Casualties of America’s War on the Vulnerable, from Ferguson to Flint and Beyond
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Beats, Rhymes, and Classroom Life: Hip-Hop Pedagogy and the Politics of Identity
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The Classroom and The Cell: Conversations on Black Life in America
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Media, Learning, and Sites of Possibility (New Literacies and Digital Epistemologies)
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Marc Lamont Hill Speaker Testimonials
We’re excited to bring Dr. Hill’s powerful voice and insights to the MTSU community for Black History Month. His keynote gives us all food for thought as our nation continues to grapple with cultural and societal challenges.
- Director of Intercultural and Diversity Affairs, Middle Tennessee State University |
We were honored to welcome Dr. Marc Lamont Hill as the keynote speaker for our Urban League luncheon, where his remarks on community leadership and collective responsibility resonated deeply with our members and partners. His presentation brought clarity and courage to complex issues of justice and equity.
- President & CEO, Urban League of Greater Philadelphia |
Dr. Marc Lamont Hill’s keynote at our Black History Month reception reflected both scholarly depth and heartfelt insight. His discussion on radical imagination and the Black experience sparked meaningful reflection among our faculty and guests, reinforcing our institution’s commitment to diversity and inclusion.
- Chief Diversity Officer, Office of Institutional Diversity, Equity & Inclusion, Loyola University Chicago |
