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New Book Showcasing Work towards Change - Arizona PBS (20 Nov. 2024)
Ahwatukee Professor Publishes New Book - AHWATUKEE FOOTHILLS NEWS (10 Nov. 2024)
ASU Foundation Professor of English Dr. Neal Lester of Ahwatukee has Published his Eighth Book - THE TEMPE TRIBUNE (14 Nov. 2024)
Lester Publishes Book on Social Justice - JacksonHeraldTODAY (1 Jan. 2025)
Dr. Lester Discusses SJA on TMS (24 Jan. 2025)
Dr. Neal A. Lester
Neal A. Lester, PhD, is Foundation Professor of English and Founding Director of the multiple award-winning Project Humanities initiative at Arizona State University. With expertise in African American literature and culture, Dr. Lester has authored or edited eight books and myriad essays and chapters on topics ranging from the race and gender politics of hair, violence against Black children, rethinking Empathy, Black masculinities, neo-slave narratives, and African American folklore, to Toni Morrison’s children’s books. In addition to his publications on ntozake shange, Alice Walker, Beyonce, Lorraine Hansberry, Richard Wright, Sapphire, and Zora Neale Hurston, Dr. Lester has done pioneering work on the Nword, having created and taught the first college course on the Nword in the US.
His expertise on cultural appropriation, on everyday lessons in privilege and bias, and on humanities and entrepreneurship is nationally and internationally recognized. His expertise has led to interviews with CNN, USA Today, Good Morning America, The Special Report with Reva Martin, Newsweek, Your Teen (for Parents), Arizona Horizon, Arizona Horizonte, Raising Arizona Kids, Arizona Republic, Ahwatukee Foothills News, and The Chronicle of Higher Education. He has lectured in Ghana, Pakistan, China, Mexico, Italy, and Korea.
An award-winning teacher and popular radio guest, moderator, and panelist, Dr. Lester is editor of a new 2024 Modern Language Association volume on global social justice and Guest Editor of the special issue of Humanities on the topic of “African American Children’s Literature.”
In January 2022, Dr. Lester received Arizona State University’s inaugural Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Servant-Leadership Faculty Award, an accolade that follows other such MLK recognitions from the City of Tempe (AZ), the City of Phoenix (AZ), the Town of Paradise Valley (AZ). In April 2023, Dr. Lester became the 21st recipient of the Gary Krahenbuhl “Difference Maker” Award, presented by the ASU College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, for his sustained and impactful work as a faculty member whose teaching, research, and service center social justice and its connection to humanity.
Longer Bio
Learn more about Dr. Neal Lester's journey as a Guardian and Guide, as featured in Seismic Imprint. This article highlights his impactful work in fostering empathy, inclusion, and social justice through Project Humanities.
Read the full article on Seismic Imprint
Teaching
Dr. Lester Introduces African American Literature I (Beginning to Harlem Renaissance) via Short Videos
Collections & Videos
Explore the collections and stories within Dr. Lester's office.
Checkout Dr. Neal A. Lester talking about rethinking and redefining empathy by challenging traditional notions and offering a deeper, more meaningful model for connecting human hearts and minds. “But What If I Can’t Imagine That?”: Rethinking and Redefining Empathy, published in Cambridge University Press (04 November 2024)
Dr. Lester participates in the launch of Public Humanities, a new open-access journal from Cambridge University Press, and its inaugural "Manifesto Issue" at the January 2025 Public Humanities Launch Party.
5 Signs Your Optimism Is Hurting Your Team
By Rebecca Knight | Harvard Business Review
Explore how unchecked optimism can affect team dynamics and decision-making — and what you can do about it.
Listen to the Discussion with Dr. Neal Lester and Rebecca Knight
Research
As a scholar of African American literature and culture, Dr. Lester is often called upon by local, national and international media and communities to offer commentary on the state of US race relations, past and present. Such commentaries cover such topics as the race and gender politics of hair, the Nword, cultural appropriation, and privilege and bias.
General categories of his research expertise are: Race Relations in America, Cultural Appropriation, the Nword, Politics of Hair, and Social Justice through Things and Stuff.
| S.No. | Media | Media Type | Link | Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1) | The Life, Legacy, and Letters of Poet and Friend Nikki Giovanni | Article | Click here | Jan 2025 |
| 2) | Ahwatukee Professor Mourns Poet's Death | Article | Click here | Jan 2025 |
| 3) | Local Prof Reflects on Poet Friend Nikki Giovanni | Ahwatukee Foothills News | Article | Click here | Jan 2025 |
| 4) | How This ASU Professor Became Pen Pals With a Famous Poet | 91.5 KJZZ Phoenix | Audio | Click here | Dec 2024 |
Media
| S.No. | Media | Media Type | Link | Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1) | Interview: Inaugural Black Children's Book Week, Phoenix (23 February through 2 March 2025); The Floyd Galloway Show | Audio | Click here | Mar 2025 |
| 2) | Dr. Lester Discusses Beyoncé's "Break My Soul" on TMS | Video | Click here | Jan 2025 |
| 3) | MLK Diversity Awards | Keynote Speaker Dr. Neal Lester | Video | Click here | Jan 2025 |
| 4) | This One Song Proved Beyoncé Will Always Be an Icon of Black Resistance (Audio Teaser) | Audio | Click here | Nov 2024 |
| 5) | 100th birthday party proves how James Baldwin's words still inspire America to be better | Audio | Click here | Sep 2024 |
| 6) | Inaugural Pedagogies of Justice symposium - Opening Keynote (Loyola University Chicago) | Video | Click here | Mar 2024 |
| 7) | "Reflections on the 'Intergenerational Divide," Men's Day Annual Observance, St. James A.M.E Church | Click here | Jan 2024 | |
| 8) | Dr. Neal Lester reflects on being honored with the 2022 ASU MLK Faculty Servant-Leadership Award | Click here | Jan 2023 | |
| 9) | Conversation about "Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.'s Life and Legacy: The Urgency of Now" | Click here | Jan 2023 | |
| 10) | A Conversation with Dr. Bernice A. King - Mindset Matters | Click here | Jan 2023 | |
| 11) | Day 1 of #TheKingCenter’s Beloved Community Global Summit #ShiftingPriorities #MLKDay2022 | Click here | Jan 2022 | |
| 12) | The Unspoken Impact of Police Brutality against BIWOC, TGNC & Latinx Communities | Click here | Feb 2021 | |
| 13) | Black Philanthropy Initiative - Eyes on Social Justice (Webinar) | Click here | Aug 2020 | |
| 14) | Racial Bias and Privilege- Arizona PBS | Click here | Aug 2020 | |
| 15) | Re-Imagining Liberation & Freedom | Click here | Jul 2020 | |
| 16) | "'We're Hurting': How Younger Generation & Older Generation Can Work Together for Change"[June 2020] | Click here | Jun 2020 | |
| 17) | The Alvin Galloway Show | Click here | Oct 2019 | |
| 18) | Toni Morrison Remembrance from the Alvin Galloway Show 19 August 2019 | Click here | Aug 2019 | |
| 19) | Commentary on Hate in America, Arizona Horizon | Click here | Aug 2019 | |
| 20) | African-American 101: ASU students and faculty dispel stereotypes: Arizona State University (ASU) | Click here | Feb 2017 | |
| 21) | Interview with Neal Lester : Richard B. Russell Library for Political Research and Studies, University of Georgia | Click here | Sep 2016 | |
| 22) | Dr. Neal Lester on Patriotism and Flag | Click here | Aug 2016 | |
| 23) | Are race relations at a boiling point - Interview with Dr. Neal A. Lester | Click here | Aug 2016 | |
| 24) | 550 KFYI Chris Merrill Newstalk on Race and Violence | Click here | Jul 2016 | |
| 25) | Dr. Neal A. Lester featured in Mac & Gaydos | Click here | Jul 2016 | |
| 26) | Black Relations in America | Click here | Jul 2016 | |
| 27) | Growing up black in America | Click here | Jul 2016 | |
| 28) | Race issues in America | Click here | Jul 2016 | |
| 29) | How does the current news affect race relations? | Click here | Jul 2016 | |
| 30) | Obama Strikes "Negro" and "Oriental" from Federal Documents | Click here | May 2016 | |
| 31) | Black Male Literary Scholarship & African American Children’s Literature interview | Click here | May 2015 | |
| 32) | Dr. Neal A. Lester Provides Insight On The Baltimore Situation On 550 KFYI News | Click here | Apr 2015 | |
| 33) | Dr. Neal A. Lester provides insight on the Baltimore situation on 550 KFYI News | Click here | Apr 2015 | |
| 34) | Many Rivers to Cross in Phoenix - Interview of Dr. Lester | Click here | Jun 2014 | |
| 35) | Channel 12 News Tribute - Maya Angelou | Click here | May 2014 | |
| 36) | Radio Phoenix Interview Teaser with Dr. Neal Lester | Click here | Jun 2013 | |
| 37) | “Moisture in the Desert,” Neal Lester, 2001 | Click here | Jan 2011 |
| S.No. | Media | Media Type | Link | Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1) | The AT LAST Podcast on Cultural Appropriation, featuring Dr. Neal Lester | Click Here | Dec 2024 | |
| 2) | Dr. Lester's Pre-Talk on Cultural Appropriation for Dr. Phil Show | Click Here | Sept 2022 | |
| 3) | The Special Report with Areva Martin | Click Here | Oct 2021 | |
| 4) | Cultural Appropriation and Halloween Costumes : The Special Report | Click Here | Mar 2021 | |
| 5) | The Special Report: Cultural Appropriation or Appreciation | Click Here | Mar 2021 | |
| 6) | Kendall Jenner faces backlash after launching her tequila brand l GMA | Click Here | Feb 2021 | |
| 7) | From Surviving to Thriving: Season 2-Episode 1 - with Dr. Lester Neal | Click Here | Nov 2020 | |
| 8) | Cultural Appropriation vs. Appreciation with Dr. Neal Lester, Real Life, Voices of Your Village | Click Here | Oct 2020 | |
| 9) | Dr. Lester Speaks about Cultural Appropriation and Children’s Costumes (October 2019) | Click Here | Oct 2019 | |
| 10) | CBC Radio: Vancouver | Click Here | Oct 2017 |
Media
| S.No. | Media | Media Type | Link | Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1) | The N-Word of God | Video | Click Here | Oct 2024 |
| 2) | The N-Word (with Special Guest Dr. Neal Lester!) – The Sauce Podcast | Audio | Click Here | Jun 2022 |
| 3) | Tucson teacher on administrative leave after using the N-word in class | Dr. Neal Lester weighs in | Click Here | Dec 2021 | |
| 4) | What's In a Name: Interview of Dr. Neal Lester about the N-word and Cultural Appropriation | Click Here | Nov 2020 | |
| 5) | Legitimate Matters with William Parris, “The N-Word and Power of Words in Language” | Click Here | Oct 2020 | |
| 6) | White and wondering why you cant use the N word? | Click Here | Aug 2020 | |
| 7) | BBC Radio 5live Up All Night (President Obama and the N-Word) | Click Here | Jul 2020 | |
| 8) | Dr. Neal Lester on the Power of Words and the Danger of Slurs | Click Here | Jul 2020 | |
| 9) | Dealing with the N Word | Click Here | Jul 2020 | |
| 10) | The "N" Word: Racism, what white people don't understand, and what black people need to change. | Click Here | Mar 2020 | |
| 11) | "The N Word In Sports with Dr. Neal Lester" - The Sportscaster and Her Son | Click Here | May 2019 | |
| 12) | Workshop with Neal A Lester, PhD Straight Talk About the NWord 44News Evansville, IN 44News Evan | Click Here | Nov 2018 | |
| 13) | Very Bad Words. Episode 42: The N-Word | Click Here | Jun 2018 | |
| 14) | Today with Dr. Kaye - WEAA 88.9 FM (Baltimore) | Click Here | Nov 2017 | |
| 15) | Lingo Episode 8 :The N Word | Click Here | Jul 2016 | |
| 16) | Obama Strikes 'Negro' and 'Oriental' from Federal Documents | Click Here | Jun 2016 | |
| 17) | The N word (May 2016) | Click Here | May 2016 | |
| 18) | Dr. Neal Lester talks the N Word and race relations - Arizona PBS Horizonte (18 Feb 2016) | Click Here | Feb 2016 | |
| 19) | Photo controversy at Desert Vista High School - ABC15 Arizona | Video | Click Here | Jan 2016 |
| 20) | KTAR (FM 92.3) - Desert Vista High School | Click Here | Jan 2016 | |
| 21) | Is it 'just a word'? Questions, comments about the N-word controversy at Desert Vista | Click Here | Jan 2016 | |
| 22) | ASU professor weighs in on DVHS controversy (26 January 2016) | Click Here | Jan 2016 | |
| 23) | Dr. Neal Lester with Mac & Gaydos KTAR News 92.3 FM (25 January 2016) | Click Here | Jan 2016 | |
| 24) | Dr. Lester on BBC Radio 5live Up All Night | Click Here | Jun 2015 | |
| 25) | The Power of Words | Click Here | Apr 2015 | |
| 26) | N-word: A Perspective with Neal Lester | Click Here | Dec 2014 | |
| 27) | The N-Word (Radio Supa) - 07-12-2014 | Click Here | Jul 2014 | |
| 28) | ASU professor holds "Straight Talk about the N-Word" discussion at valley church | Click Here | May 2014 | |
| 29) | The N-Word - Arizona PBS | Click Here | Mar 2014 | |
| 30) | Professor puts the 'N-Word' under microscope | Click Here | Mar 2014 | |
| 31) | The UnForgiven Word, Why Are We Continuing To Use it in Our Lyrics? | Click Here | Aug 2013 | |
| 32) | YoAndrew News Talk Show Appearance with Dr. Neal A. Lester on July 9, 2013 | Click Here | Jul 2013 | |
| 33) | Dr. Neal Lester on WVON Chicago AM1690 with host Cliff Kelly (Part 2) | Click Here | Jun 2013 | |
| 34) | Dr. Neal Lester on WVON Chicago AM1690 with host Cliff Kelly (Part 1) | Click Here | Jun 2013 | |
| 35) | "Straight Talk about the N Word:" Alabama State WVAS 90.7, Perspectives Featuring Dr. Neal Lester | Click Here | Feb 2013 | |
| 36) | The N-word: An Anatomy of a Lesson, interview by Nick Taliaferro from Philadelphia's WURD, 9:00am | Click Here | Jan 2013 |
Media
| S.No. | Media | Media Type | Link | Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1) | Banning Chemical Hair Relaxers | Interview with Suryatapa | Wall Street Journal | Click here | Dec 2023 | |
| 2) | Arizona Horizon | Neal Lester, Essence Farmer| Season 2023 | Episode 63 | PBS | Click here | Mar 2023 | |
| 3) | ASU Professor: 'Our hair is part of who we are and how we are' | Click here | Mar 2023 | |
| 4) | The Driving Force Behind Natural Hair Anti-Discrimination Laws | Click here | Mar 2021 | |
| 5) | Dr. Neal Lester on the Race and Gender Politics of Hair with KJZZ Radio (January 2020) | Click here | Jan 2020 | |
| 6) | Social & Political Culture of Black/Afrocentric Hair in Education | Click here | Dec 2018 | |
| 7) | Neal Lester, Athens Oral History Project | Click here | Sept 2016 | |
| 8) | Nappy Hair: Performance and Commentary | Featuring Dr. Neal A. Lester & Dr. Carolivia Herron as part of the Dia De Los Libros Literacy Celebration | Video | Click here | Mar 2013 |
| 9) | Nappy Hair: Performance and Discussion | Featuring Dr. Neal A. Lester & Dr. Carolivia Herron | Video | Click here | Mar 2013 |
| 10) | ΦBK Video Series: Neal A. Lester on the race and gender politics of hair | Click here | Jan 2013 | |
| 11) | NPR Hair Weave Heists No Laughing Matter, Expert Says" Jim Burress, Atlanta's NPR Station, WABE | Click here | Jun 2012 | |
| 12) | Haireotypes | Click here | Mar 2009 |
Featured
Event Testimonials
Testimonials from Beyond Books: Social Justice through Things & Stuff- Carl Hayden Community High School
"Hi Dr. Neal Lester, I just wanted to start off this email by thanking you for coming to Carl Hayden Community High School and speaking to me...
"Hello Dr. Lester, . .[T]hanks for bringing the university to our students...
"Hi Neal, I am so glad you had a good experience with the students...
Testimonials from Beyond Books: Social Justice through Things & Stuff- Summer Institute for Culturally Responsive Education
"I would love to have the opportunity for our students to have a chance to explore Dr Lester's collection...
Testimonials from Diversity in the Workplace: Strategies and Strategizing- American Psychiatric Association
"I just wanted to reach out to say thank you for being our speaker yesterday...
| S.No | Media | Media Type | Link | Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1) | Animated Black Americana | Video | Click here | Feb 2024 |
| 2) | Diversity in the Workplace: Strategies and Strategizing | Video | Click here | Jul 2023 |
| 3) | Beyond Books: Social Justice through 'Things & Stuff' | 2023 SICRE - Dr. Neal Lester | Video | Click here | Jun 2023 |
| 4) | Beyond Books: Social Justice through Things & Stuff - Dr. Neal Lester's Research Collection | Video | Click here | Jun 2023 |
| 5) | Black Family Geneology and History Society: Monthly Meeting May 2023 | Video | Click here | May 2023 |
| 6) | Vital Voices Presentation at Carl Hayden Community High School | Video | Click here | Jan 2023 |
| 7) | Virtual Office Tour | Video | Click here | Nov 2022 |
| 8) | Vital Voices : Beyond Books - 2022 | Video | Click here | Oct 2022 |
| 9) | Beyond Books: Social Justice through "Things" and "Stuff". | Video | Click here | Mar 2021 |
| 10) | "DENTIST" Original Antique Mechanical Bank | Video | Click here | Jan 2017 |
| Dr. Neal Lester Vital Voices: Beyond Books | 19 Jan 23 |
| Interactive exhibit demonstrates the effect 'stuff' can have on racial representation (By ASU News) | 22 Oct 21 |
| Curating Identities in the “Other” Office: My “Colored Museum” (By Dr. Neal Lester) | 23 Jan 21 |
“Boys Know What Girls Want”: Messages in Popular Music
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Cheerios Ad Touches Racial Nerve
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For White Allies in Search of a Solution to American Racism / When Folks of Color Are Exhausted
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“No, I Am Not OK.” Thanks for Asking.
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No Joking Matter: Words and Disability
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Proposed Bill: An Ethnic Studies Ban "on Steroids"
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'Redskins,' Names and Being Named
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Teach the Talk, Don’t Ban the Book
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The Disturbing “Monkey Business” of U.S. Black-White Race Relations
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'Tis the Season: Christianity and Jesus in Black and White
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The N-Word: Connected Through Historical Disconnect?
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To Know Our American History Is to Know Ourselves
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Media
| S.No. | Media | Link | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1) | Vital Voices: What a Children’s Story Taught Me About Humanity | Click here | Jan 2025 |
| 2) | Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. & Economic Justice | 15 Jan, 2024 | Click here | Jan 2024 |
| 3) | Vital Voices: Banned Books - 2023 | Click here | Jan 2023 |
| 4) | Vital Voices | Banned Books - 2023 | Click here | Jan 2023 |
| 5) | Dr. Neal Lester in conversation with Elvis Mitchell | Click here | Nov 2022 |
| 6) | Dr. Neal Lester in conversation with Mr. SOUL! Director | Click here | Nov 2022 |
| 7) | Ambassador's Expo | Click here | Jun 2022 |
| 8) | Exploring the "Poverty Porn" Industry | Click here | Mar 2022 |
| 9) | Vital Voices: Joy as a Radical Act | Click here | Jan 2022 |
| 10) | Vital Voices: What Children's Stories Taught Me about Humanity | Click here | Oct 2021 |
| 11) | Dispelling the Myths: "Critical Race Theory" in K-12 Classrooms | Click here | Aug 2021 |
| 12) | Vital Voices: The King We Don't Know | Click here | Jan 2021 |
| 13) | Vital Voices: The Uses of Anger | Click here | Sept 2020 |
| 14) | The Uses of Anger: Recap | Click here | Sept 2020 |
| 15) | Podcast Club: Spare the Kids | Click here | Jun 2020 |
| 16) | Vital Voices: ntozake shange Recap | Click here | Jan 2019 |
| 17) | So Excited! An Evening with Ruth Pointer- Ruth pointer talk | Click here | Apr 2016 |
| Arts and Humanities: Essentials, Not Extras: The State of Black Arizona, Volume IV | 2015 |