Marcia Chatelain
Author and Professor of History and African American Studies at Georgetown University
Biography
Marcia Chatelain is currently a Professor of History and African American Studies at Georgetown University in Washington, D.C. Previously, she was a Reach for Excellence Assistant Professor of Honors and African American Studies at the University of Oklahoma in Norman. She is a scholar of African-American life and culture, and her first book South Side Girls: Growing up in the Great Migration (Duke University Press, 2015) reimagined the mass exodus of black Southerners to the urban North from the perspective of girls and teenage women. She won a 2021 Pulitzer Prize for her latest book, Franchise: The Golden Arches in Black America (Liveright/W.W. Norton, 2020) which examines the intersection of the post-1968 civil rights struggle and the rise of fast-food industry. Franchise was chosen as a New York Times Critics’ Top 10 Book and the Hagley Prize for Best Book in Business History. In 2016, the Chronicle of Higher Education named Marcia a Top Influencer in Higher Education in recognition of her curation of #FergusonSyllabus, a response to the crisis in Ferguson, Missouri in 2014. She is a 2019 Andrew Carnegie Fellow. Chatelain also served on the Georgetown University Working Group on Slavery, Memory, and Reconciliation, and is a renowned voice on universities, slavery, and reparations. Dr. Chatelain helps organizations respond to and solve the challenges that confront them. Problems can emerge when communication is impaired or unfinished business impedes progress. Dr. Chatelain is an experienced facilitator and strategist. She has provided support to schools grappling with negative incidents surrounding racism, assisted university departments in identifying new priorities after campus-wide protests, and led workshops on inclusive pedagogy for multiple high school faculties. From developing parent engagement programs to assessing diversity programs or thinking about the needs of first-generation college students, Dr. Chatelain uses her scholarly and practical experience to help organizations plan for the future.
Speech Topics
STUDENT LEADERSHIP
Since her days as a student activist, Dr. Chatelain has been a keen observer about how students have worked to transform their campuses and the world. Now, as a college professor, she works with student leaders and activists on understanding their important role in realizing social change.
INCLUSIVE TEACHING AND PEDAGOGY
Dr. Chatelain believes that our classrooms are the place where social change is ignited. In her experiences of teaching about race and social justice, she has developed practices that encourage honest, clear, and often transformative dialogue. Dr. Chatelain enjoys sharing her teaching strategies with educators from K-16 about cultivating inclusive pedagogies. Dr. Chatelain has a particular interest in assisting Catholic schools in this work.
SLAVERY AND THE UNIVERSITY
Dr. Chatelain has been a resource to museums and historical societies as a guest educator and a content expert on exhibitions and programs. As a member of the Georgetown Working Group on Slavery, Memory, and Reconciliation, she has helped bring the history of slavery and universities to communities across the country.
HISTORY OF GIRLHOOD
Dr. Chatelain's book South Side Girls is among a body of scholarship that takes the historical contributions of girls seriously. In her book, Dr. Chatelain used an array of archives to bring the Great Migration alive by exploring how girls understood the world around them. Dr. Chatelain previously served on the Girl Scouts of Western Oklahoma and has been a supporter of a number of girls' leadership initiatives.
AFRICAN AMERICAN HISTORY
Dr. Chatelain is a trained historian of 20th century African American history. Her college-level courses focus on the African-American Great Migration, mid-century Civil Rights Movement, the history of African-American women. Dr. Chatelain has also created interactive Black History Month presentations for high school students in order to help them better understand the past.
CAPITALISM, RACE AND CLASS: THE CASE OF MCDONALDS
A conversation about how everything you need to know about race and inequality can be learned by examining the history of McDonald’s. Dr. Chatelain explores how fast food uncovers American’s hidden histories of identity, economic opportunity, and hunger for justice.
RACISM IN OUR STREETS AND STRUCTURES
Dr. Chatelain is a leading voice on the intersection of race and faith. In this conversation, Dr. Chatelain speaks to the conflicted history of American slaveholding, religion, and social justice.
FRANCHISE: THE GOLDEN ARCHES IN BLACK AMERICA
Dr. Chatelain’s 2020 book Franchise was a highly regarded examination of the roots of today’s obesity crisis, food deserts, and struggle for food justice. By examining the history of McDonald’s in America, Dr. Chatelain tells the story of race, civil rights, and the question about how to best deliver equal opportunity.
Videos
Frequently Asked Questions
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You can inquire about Marcia Chatelain's availability or get a customized quote by contacting Key Speakers directly. Our team will help you determine fit, logistics, and budget options for your upcoming event.What is Marcia Chatelain's speaking fee?
The typical range for Marcia Chatelain's speaking fee is $22,000–$50,000. The low end of the fee range represents their standard virtual fee. The high end of the fee range represents their standard fee for a US-based in-person speaking engagement. Appearances which require an extended schedule of activities or international travel will possibly exceed this fee range. Speaker fees update frequently. To receive a personalized quote for Marcia Chatelain to speak at your event, please consult with a Key Speakers advisor for up to date information and assistance.What factors influence the speaker's fee?
Other factors that influence a keynote speaker's fee include their reputation, expertise, demand, experience, duration of the presentation, travel requirements for the event location, and any additional services, activities or customization options they offer.Are travel expenses included in the speaker's fee?
Travel expenses are typically not included in the listed speaker's fee and are quoted separately. If the speaker needs to travel internationally, fees will be higher. These expenses may include airfare, accommodation, ground transportation at home and in the event city, and meals. We can provide more detailed information about travel expenses and arrangements once you've selected a speaker.How do I book Marcia Chatelain for my event?
The speaker booking process typically involves the following steps: contact Key Speakers to confirm Marcia Chatelain's availability, fees, and any unique requirements (we can also help negotiate fees and terms); submit a firm offer to extend the invite to your speaker, with the details used to create an agreement once the speaker accepts; coordinate and finalize the terms of the booking, including contract terms and conditions; and confirm the booking by signing the contract and making the necessary payments.What types of events do keynote speakers typically speak at?
Keynote speakers can speak at a wide range of events, virtual or in person, including conferences, corporate meetings, industry conventions, seminars, workshops, fundraising galas, educational programs, and other special occasions where an inspirational or informative address is desired.How do I select the right keynote speaker for my event?
When selecting a keynote speaker, consider the following factors: the speaker's expertise and knowledge relevant to your event's theme or industry; their speaking style, ability to engage the audience, and deliver impactful messages; past client testimonials, reviews, or references; and the speaker's availability and fee within your budget.What are the payment terms and conditions?
A deposit is required upon signing the contract, with the remaining balance due 2–4 weeks before the event. If the event is taking place within 30 days, the full balance is due upon signing.How far in advance should I book a keynote speaker?
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Keynote speakers may have specific requirements or accommodations that need to be considered, such as travel arrangements, accommodation preferences, dietary restrictions, or accessibility needs. Some speakers have a performance rider we include in the contract, others have minimal requirements.Do keynote speakers offer customization options for their presentations?
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The duration of a standard keynote speech can vary depending on the speaker and the event's schedule. Typically, keynote speeches range from 30 minutes to 90 minutes, including any Q&A sessions or interactive elements. Some speakers can accommodate half or full day sessions and extended keynotes. Discuss the desired duration with your representative to determine the appropriate length for participation.Can I provide feedback or reviews about the speaker's performance?
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Often, yes. It's worth inquiring about such possibilities with your Key Speakers representative to explore any available cost-savings options.Why book Marcia Chatelain through Key Speakers?
We provide a comprehensive service that takes the guesswork out of hiring a speaker — from speaker selection to logistics to post-event feedback. We know you have lots of responsibilities on top of finding and coordinating event speakers, so having a committed and proactive partner on your side that is an expert with the talent booking process is crucial. Every time you book a speaker with Key, your dedicated events manager will support you throughout the entire planning process. We help you negotiate contractual details such as speaker fees and travel terms so that you end up with the most favorable deal. With our highly communicative booking and proposal model, you'll never be left in the dark with the status of your speaker. To put it simply, Key Speakers is your one-stop resource for finding, booking and managing speakers for your event.
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Bernice King
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