Founding Director

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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 seven books and myriad essays and chapters on topics ranging from the race and gender politics of hair, Black masculinities, and African American folklore, to Toni Morrison’s children’s books. In addition to his publications on ntozake shange, Alice Walker, 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, 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 forthcoming collection on global social justice, to be published in 2024 by the Modern Language Association, 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

National-Coalition-of-100-black-women-debate

Awards & Accolades

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.

Research by Dr. Lester

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.

Race Relations in America

Media

S.No.	Media	Media Type	Link	Date
1)	100th birthday party proves how James Baldwin's words still inspire America to be better	Audio	Click here	Sep 2024
2)	Inaugural Pedagogies of Justice symposium - Opening Keynote (Loyola University Chicago)	Video	Click here	Mar 2024
3)	"Reflections on the 'Intergenerational Divide," Men's Day Annual Observance, St. James A.M.E Church	Video	Click here	Jan 2024
4)	Dr. Neal Lester reflects on being honored with the 2022 ASU MLK Faculty Servant-Leadership Award	Video	Click here	Jan 2023
5)	Conversation about "Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.'s Life and Legacy: The Urgency of Now"	Video	Click here	Jan 2023
6)	A Conversation with Dr. Bernice A. King - Mindset Matters	Video	Click here	Jan 2023
7)	Day 1 of #TheKingCenter’s Beloved Community Global Summit #ShiftingPriorities #MLKDay2022	Video	Click here	Jan 2022
8)	The Unspoken Impact of Police Brutality against BIWOC, TGNC & Latinx Communities	Video	Click here	Feb 2021
9)	Black Philanthropy Initiative - Eyes on Social Justice (Webinar)	Video	Click here	Aug 2020
10)	Racial Bias and Privilege- Arizona PBS	Video	Click here	Aug 2020
11)	Re-Imagining Liberation & Freedom	Video	Click here	Jul 2020
12)	"'We're Hurting': How Younger Generation & Older Generation Can Work Together for Change"[June 2020]	Video	Click here	Jun 2020
13)	The Alvin Galloway Show	Audio	Click here	Oct 2019
14)	Toni Morrison Remembrance from the Alvin Galloway Show 19 August 2019	Audio	Click here	Aug 2019
15)	Commentary on Hate in America, Arizona Horizon	Video	Click here	Aug 2019
16)	African-American 101: ASU students and faculty dispel stereotypes: Arizona State University (ASU)	Video	Click here	Feb 2017
17)	Interview with Neal Lester : Richard B. Russell Library for Political Research and Studies, University of Georgia	Video	Click here	Sep 2016
18)	Dr. Neal Lester on Patriotism and Flag	Audio	Click here	Aug 2016
19)	Are race relations at a boiling point - Interview with Dr. Neal A. Lester	Video	Click here	Aug 2016
20)	550 KFYI Chris Merrill Newstalk on Race and Violence	Audio	Click here	Jul 2016
21)	Dr. Neal A. Lester featured in Mac & Gaydos	Audio	Click here	Jul 2016
22)	Black Relations in America	Video	Click here	Jul 2016
23)	Growing up black in America	Video	Click here	Jul 2016
24)	Race issues in America	Video	Click here	Jul 2016
25)	How does the current news affect race relations?	Audio	Click here	Jul 2016
26)	Obama Strikes "Negro" and "Oriental" from Federal Documents	Audio	Click here	May 2016
27)	Black Male Literary Scholarship & African American Children’s Literature interview	Video	Click here	May 2015
28)	Dr. Neal A. Lester Provides Insight On The Baltimore Situation On 550 KFYI News	Audio	Click here	Apr 2015
29)	Dr. Neal A. Lester provides insight on the Baltimore situation on 550 KFYI News	Audio	Click here	Apr 2015
30)	Many Rivers to Cross in Phoenix - Interview of Dr. Lester	Video	Click here	Jun 2014
31)	Channel 12 News Tribute - Maya Angelou	Video	Click here	May 2014
32)	Radio Phoenix Interview Teaser with Dr. Neal Lester	Audio	Click here	Jun 2013
33)	“Moisture in the Desert,” Neal Lester, 2001	Audio	Click here	Jan 2011

Articles

Beyond physical and representational violence: the violence of Black children's invisibility in public spaces (Article blog)	23 Oct 24
Beyoncé's “break my soul”: An anthem of courage, resistance, peace, and community	13 Sep 24
Project Humanities kicks off fall schedule with events honoring author James Baldwin	01 Aug 24
Digital Blackface: Adultification of Black Children in Memes and Children’s Books	11 Jul 24
Governor Katie Hobbs Signs Executive Order Prohibiting Race-Based Hair Discrimination \| Office of the Arizona Governor	17 Mar 23
Educators craft, promote Black studies as other states limit how it’s taught	01 Feb 23
MLK Day a busy time for Ahwatukee professor at ASU	12 Jan 23
Abolitionist Newspaper Revived as Fight Over CRT in Schools Intensifies	23 Feb 22
Dr. Neal Lester Interview on Critical Race Theory	22 Sep 21
ASU academics work to dispel critical race theory myths	02 Sep 21
ASU Project Humanities event dispels myths about critical race theory	26 Aug 21
Facebook post sparks discussion of racism here	24 May 21
ASU professor’s project upholds MLK’s legacy in political climate, society	18 Jan 21
Lessons from the Past: Reflections on the Life and Work of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. for our watershed moments	14 Jan 21
Systems of Privilege: A Conversation with Dr. Neal Lester	27 Jul 20
Digging up the roots of racism's serviceability	09 Jul 20
‎Polititeen: "Awareness to Action": Filling the Gaps in Our (Im) perfect Union ft. Dr. Neal Lester on Apple Podcasts	08 Jul 20
What should we do to fight racism? We are asking the wrong people	04 Jun 20
“No, I'm not okay"	03 Jun 20
America’s past and present: parallel plagues	14 Apr 20
What meeting Toni Morrison taught me	14 Aug 19
400 Years Forward Organizers Seek To Move The Conversation Beyond Enslavement	13 Aug 19
ASU scholars reflect on Toni Morrison's impact on literature	07 Aug 19
7 Metro Phoenix Creatives Share Reflections on Writer Toni Morrison	07 Aug 19
Gillibrand’s Racial Elephant in the Room	05 Aug 19
Schools keep teaching slavery and civil rights history in ways that traumatize black students	19 Apr 19
Schools Keep Defending Racially Insensitive Classroom Activities In A Worrisome Trend	18 Apr 19
BASIS teacher had class shame a black student for lesson on school segregation, mom says	15 Apr 19
Classrooms and race: “What about the children?”	16 Mar 19
'No Black bucks for Starbucks': Protesters at Phoenix Starbucks call company racist	21 Apr 18
‘Putting out a fire’: Racial-bias experts say Starbucks training is only a start \| AZCentral	17 Apr 18
Black Male Literary Scholarship and African American Children’s Literature: An Interview with Dr. Neal A. Lester of Arizona State University	03 Apr 18
Arizona ranks fourth in the nation for racial integration, study finds. \| KTAR News (Transcript)	10 Jan 18
Moore: Gender-equality movement could help spark new push in sports	06 Jan 18
ASU professors choose must-read books for college students	15 Nov 17
ASU Professor Discusses Criticism Over Slavery Computer Game	12 Oct 17
Parents Outraged After Phoenix Elementary School Students Instructed To Play Slavery Simulation Game	12 Oct 17
Slavery-simulation game causes outcry at Phoenix elementary school	11 Oct 17
Dr. Lester interviewed regarding "Children’s Literature and Race,” by Richard E. Ashby, Jr. \| Your Voice Your Choice, MPI-TX	02 Mar 17
University of Georgia visiting scholar	18 Sep 17
Obama Strikes 'Negro' and 'Oriental' from Federal Documents - Iowa public radio	31 May 16
Confederate flag debate reaches Arizona	22 Jun 15
Neal A. Lester on Once Upon a Time in a Different World	01 Jun 2008

Cultural Appropriation

Media

S.No.	Media	Media Type	Link	Date
1)	Dr. Lester's Pre-Talk on Cultural Appropriation for Dr. Phil Show	Audio	Click Here	Sept 2022
2)	The Special Report with Areva Martin	Video	Click Here	Oct 2021
3)	Cultural Appropriation and Halloween Costumes : The Special Report	Video	Click Here	Mar 2021
4)	The Special Report: Cultural Appropriation or Appreciation	Video	Click Here	Mar 2021
5)	Kendall Jenner faces backlash after launching her tequila brand l GMA	Video	Click Here	Feb 2021
6)	From Surviving to Thriving: Season 2-Episode 1 - with Dr. Lester Neal	Video	Click Here	Nov 2020
7)	Cultural Appropriation vs. Appreciation with Dr. Neal Lester, Real Life, Voices of Your Village	Audio	Click Here	Oct 2020
8)	Dr. Lester Speaks about Cultural Appropriation and Children’s Costumes (October 2019)	Video	Click Here	Oct 2019
9)	CBC Radio: Vancouver	Audio	Click Here	Oct 2017

Articles

Are white people allowed to celebrate Dia de los Muertos?	01 Nov 24
Simu Liu accused a company of cultural appropriation. It sparked an important conversation	14 Oct 24
What Is Cultural Appropriation? Here's Why the Practice Is So Harmful—and How You Can Avoid Doing It	20 Aug 21
Brenly’s durag comment draws cries of racist undertones, cultural insensitivity	02 Jun 21
Gwen Stefani Pushes Back at Cultural Appropriation Critics, Newser	29 May 21
Gwen Stefani shoots down Harajuku Girls cultural appropriation claims, says people can 'share', USA Today	28 May 21
Justin Bieber’s Dreadlocks Spark Debate: What’s Cultural Appropriation versus Appreciation?, USA Today	01 May 21
Who Owns Culture? There’s a Legal Side to the Issue of Cultural Appropriation	04 Nov 20
A parents' guide to cultural appropriation: an expert breaks down kids' Halloween costumes, USA Today	18 Oct 19
Opinion: Friends don't let friends wear culturally inappropriate costumes	31 Nov 18
What makes a Halloween costume offensive?	26 Oct 17
There Is a Fine Line between Cultural Appropriation and Cultural Appreciation, by Maria Idalis Harris, The State Press	27 Apr 17
ASU English Professor Talks Cultural Appropriation and Ableist Language, The State Press	01 Sep 16
ASU’s Project Humanities educates on cultural appropriation,” The State Press	12 Sep 15
ASU’s Project Humanities hosts 2nd symposium on cultural appropriation, ASU News	10 Aug 15
ASU’s Project Humanities explores cultural appropriation, ASU News	30 Jan 15
Playing Black’ for Laughs, Learning for Justice	10 Jan 14

Nword

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	Video	Click Here	Dec 2021
4)	What's In a Name: Interview of Dr. Neal Lester about the N-word and Cultural Appropriation	Video	Click Here	Nov 2020
5)	Legitimate Matters with William Parris, “The N-Word and Power of Words in Language”	Video	Click Here	Oct 2020
6)	White and wondering why you cant use the N word?	Video	Click Here	Aug 2020
7)	BBC Radio 5live Up All Night (President Obama and the N-Word)	Audio	Click Here	Jul 2020
8)	Dr. Neal Lester on the Power of Words and the Danger of Slurs	Video	Click Here	Jul 2020
9)	Dealing with the N Word	Video	Click Here	Jul 2020
10)	The "N" Word: Racism, what white people don't understand, and what black people need to change.	Video	Click Here	Mar 2020
11)	"The N Word In Sports with Dr. Neal Lester" - The Sportscaster and Her Son	Audio	Click Here	May 2019
12)	Workshop with Neal A Lester, PhD Straight Talk About the NWord 44News Evansville, IN 44News Evan	Video	Click Here	Nov 2018
13)	Very Bad Words. Episode 42: The N-Word	Audio	Click Here	Jun 2018
14)	Today with Dr. Kaye - WEAA 88.9 FM (Baltimore)	Audio	Click Here	Nov 2017
15)	Lingo Episode 8 :The N Word	Audio	Click Here	Jul 2016
16)	Obama Strikes 'Negro' and 'Oriental' from Federal Documents	Audio	Click Here	Jun 2016
17)	The N word (May 2016)	Audio	Click Here	May 2016
18)	Dr. Neal Lester talks the N Word and race relations - Arizona PBS Horizonte (18 Feb 2016)	Video	Click Here	Feb 2016
19)	KTAR (FM 92.3) - Desert Vista High School	Audio	Click Here	Jan 2016
20)	Is it 'just a word'? Questions, comments about the N-word controversy at Desert Vista	Video	Click Here	Jan 2016
21)	ASU professor weighs in on DVHS controversy (26 January 2016)	Video	Click Here	Jan 2016
22)	Dr. Neal Lester with Mac & Gaydos KTAR News 92.3 FM (25 January 2016)	Audio	Click Here	Jan 2016
23)	Dr. Lester on BBC Radio 5live Up All Night	Audio	Click Here	Jun 2015
24)	The Power of Words	Video	Click Here	Apr 2015
25)	N-word: A Perspective with Neal Lester	Video	Click Here	Dec 2014
26)	The N-Word (Radio Supa) - 07-12-2014	Audio	Click Here	Jul 2014
27)	ASU professor holds "Straight Talk about the N-Word" discussion at valley church	Video	Click Here	May 2014
28)	The N-Word - Arizona PBS	Video	Click Here	Mar 2014
29)	Professor puts the 'N-Word' under microscope	Video	Click Here	Mar 2014
30)	The UnForgiven Word, Why Are We Continuing To Use it in Our Lyrics?	Audio	Click Here	Aug 2013
31)	YoAndrew News Talk Show Appearance with Dr. Neal A. Lester on July 9, 2013	Audio	Click Here	Jul 2013
32)	Dr. Neal Lester on WVON Chicago AM1690 with host Cliff Kelly (Part 2)	Audio	Click Here	Jun 2013
33)	Dr. Neal Lester on WVON Chicago AM1690 with host Cliff Kelly (Part 1)	Audio	Click Here	Jun 2013
34)	"Straight Talk about the N Word:" Alabama State WVAS 90.7, Perspectives Featuring Dr. Neal Lester	Audio	Click Here	Feb 2013
35)	The N-word: An Anatomy of a Lesson, interview by Nick Taliaferro from Philadelphia's WURD, 9:00am	Audio	Click Here	Jan 2013

Articles

Black man killed in Kansas City as assailant hurled n-word. That’s not a hate crime? \| Opinion	02 Aug 23
Why shrugging off Joe Rogan's use of the n-word is so dangerous, CNN	13 Feb 22
Classrooms grapple with racial slurs in classic American novels	27 Jun 21
Allen Johnson: White is Black, up is down and the n-word’s OK?	11 Apr 21
Students rally behind Black Tampa school cop fired for using racial slur	23 Mar 21
No Desis, you cannot say the N-word.	14 Dec 20
Academic freedom and the N-word, University Affairs	21 Aug 20
Your big questions about race, answered	14 Aug 20
Ron Jans used the most loaded word in the English language	17 Feb 20
What Do You Do When Your Young Child Uses the N-Word?	10 Dec 19
Should Schools Have an N-Word Policy? Uproar Over Guard's Firing Forces Hard Questions	31 Oct 19
Liberty schools officials must combat racism in the district \| The Kansas City Star	21 Jun 19
Recent Incidents Remind Us The N-Word Should Never Be Tolerated \| Twin Cities	09 Jun 19
Viral video of AU student using n-word prompts outrage from student body	07 Apr 19
Ortiz: You have no business saying the N-word if you’re not Black	25 Mar 19
History Behind N-Word Emphasizes Impact	01 Feb 19
At the Intersection of Language and Culture: Rap and the N-Word \| by Nathan Graber-Lipperman \| UNPLUGG'D MAG \| Medium	23 Sep 18
Beyond Bob Lamey and John Schnatter: Why a racial slur with an ugly past continues to divide	18 Sep 18
The G-L Review Ep. 15: Dr. Neal Lester On Rap, Culture, And The N-Word	16 Dec 18
Workshop with Neal A Lester, PhD: Straight Talk About the NWord	13 Sep 18
From Muhammad Ali to Charles Barkley, How the Use of ‘Ni**a’ in the Media Shows How Black America Lost Its Way	06 Dec 17
Paula Deen, Trayvon Martin, the Shadow of Racism and the Power of “the N-word”	06 Dec 17
'To Kill a Mockingbird' banned in Mississippi school: ASU reacts	26 Oct 17
School assignment on the 'N-word' angers parents	17 Oct 17
Controversy Stirs Over Jackson Students' Photo	14 Oct 17
Considering the N-word: To reject or reclaim?	28 Sep 17
How a childhood friendship intersected at Georgia - UGAGS Magazine	12 Mar 17
Neal Lester discusses social consequences of the N-word	19 Sep 16
Neal Lester visits UGA to speak about representation of black males - The Red & Black	18 Sep 16
Straight Talk about the N-Word & related events at UGA	17 Sep 16
Discussions on the N-word: Neal Lester to speak	14 Sep 16
Talk about the 'N-Word': UGA Student Organizes Concerts, Lectures, and Discussions on Race	14 Sep 16
Yes, I Want To Talk About The N-Word	16 Aug 16
'Compared to IRA massacres N-word row can seem trivial'	07 May 16
N-word controversy at Phoenix high school altered their senior year, changed district's efforts to combat racism	02 May 16
How does the article "The N-Word: Connected Through Historical Disconnect?" relate to Harper Lee's To Kill a Mockingbird in chapters 8-11?	20 Apr 16
Straight Talk About the N-Word - Predictions, Prose, and Politics	02 Apr 16
The N-Word Special Report: Chapter II	30 Feb 16
Lester: Yes indeed folks, in our own backyard...	29 Jan 16
Is it 'just a word'? Questions, comments about the N-word controversy at Desert Vista, also in USA TODAY	28 Jan 16
ASU professor weighs in on DVHS Controversy	26 Jan 16
WTHR BLOG: Why is the "N-word" still offensive?	25 Jan 16
Has the N-word lost its meaning to kids?	23 Jan 16
BSA, students discuss the ‘N’ word	18 Nov 15
The N-word in America: a term loaded like no other	26 Jun 15
The "N-word" for "negro", the most taboo word in the United States	25 Jun 15
The 'N-word' is 'the most powerful word in the English language'	25 Jun 15
Obama’s use of N-word raises a question: Is it ever OK?	23 Jun 15
How do African Americans in South Jersey feel about the n-word?	22 Jun 15
Prediction, Prose and Politics: STRAIGHT TALK ABOUT THE N-WORD The Connotations of Thug, the N-Word, and Other Racial Slurs - Breaking Bias	02 Apr 15
The Connotations of Thug, the N-Word, and Other Racial Slurs - Breaking Bias	29 Mar 15
What Am I Saying When I Say 'Nigger'?	23 Mar 15
Straight Talk About the ‘N-Word’: Arizona State Professor Brings His Message to Nearby Oak Park Library	01 Oct 14
Sticks and Stones: When kids use the N-word	25 Jul 14
The N-Word: Connected Through Historical Disconnect?	21 Apr 14
Professor puts the ‘N-Word’ under microscope	13 Mar 14
The N-word Loses Another Follower	13 Feb 14
ASU professor: N-word transcends history	13 Feb 14
Straight Talk about the N-Word,” with Dr. Neal Lester	09 Feb 14
What’s Up, My ’N’ positive discourse on a negative word	07 Feb 14
Our conversation about a word that starts with ‘N’	29 Jan 14
Why Do Some People Use The N-Word?	23 Jan 14
The N-word and the American psyche	10 Sep 13
Lester: The infamous N-word continues to wreak havoc on American popular psyche	10 Sep 13
Syracuse fires DPW worker for calling himself the N-word	13 Aug 13
How Would You Kill The N-Word? : Code Switch: NPR	13 Aug 13
Hair and the 'n-word': Connecting with Neal A. Lester	16 Jul 12
N-word 101: College class studies story behind the slur	30 Sep 11
Nigger - Analyzing Fences	01 Aug 11
12 Most Controversial College Courses Ever Offered	17 Mar 11
Coming to a college course this fall: “The N-Word"	22 Jun 10
Sticks and stones may break my bones...: Airbrushing the Ugliest of Ugly in African American Children's Books	01 Sep 01

Politics of Hair

Media

S.No.	Media	Media Type	Link	Date
1)	Banning Chemical Hair Relaxers \| Interview with Suryatapa \| Wall Street Journal	Video	Click here	Dec 2023
2)	Arizona Horizon \| Neal Lester, Essence Farmer\| Season 2023 \| Episode 63 \| PBS	Video	Click here	Mar 2023
3)	ASU Professor: 'Our hair is part of who we are and how we are'	Video	Click here	Mar 2023
4)	The Driving Force Behind Natural Hair Anti-Discrimination Laws	Audio	Click here	Mar 2021
5)	Dr. Neal Lester on the Race and Gender Politics of Hair with KJZZ Radio (January 2020)	Audio	Click here	Jan 2020
6)	Social & Political Culture of Black/Afrocentric Hair in Education	Video	Click here	Dec 2018
7)	Neal Lester, Athens Oral History Project	Video	Click here	Sept 2016
8)	ΦBK Video Series: Neal A. Lester on the race and gender politics of hair	Video	Click here	Jan 2013
9)	NPR Hair Weave Heists No Laughing Matter, Expert Says" Jim Burress, Atlanta's NPR Station, WABE	Audio	Click here	Jun 2012
10)	Haireotypes	Audio	Click here	Mar 2009

Articles

Gov. signs executive order banning hair discrimination

- Additional Coverage:

Governor Hobbs Signs Order Banning Hair Discrimination \| 12News/ Arizona	17 Mar 2023
Governor Katie Hobbs Signs Executive Order Race-Based Prohibiting Hair Discrimination \| AZGovernor.Gov	17 Mar 2023
Gov. Hobbs signs order banning discrimination based on hair textures, styles \| AZFamily	17 Mar 2023
Arizona governor signs executive order banning hair discrimination \| Fox10 Phoenix	17 Mar 2023
Arizona Governor Signs Order Barring Hair Discrimination \| Tucson.Com	18 Mar 2023
Arizona Gov. Katie Hobbs Signs Order Barring Hair Discrimination \| Arizona Daily Star	18 Mar 2023
Hobbs Signs Order Banning Hair Discrimination in Arizona Agencies She Controls \| The Daily Independent	19 Mar 2023
Gov. Hobbs Signs Executive Order against Hair Discrimination towards Black Arizonans \| kawc.org	20 Mar 2023
Arizona Governor Signs Executive Order Banning Discrimination Based on Hair Style or Texture \| Cronkite News/ PBS	20 Mar 2023
Arizona Gov. Katie Hobbs Signs CROWN Act-inspired Executive Order Outlawing Discrimination Based on Hair \| LocalToday	20 Mar 2023
Katie Hobbs Signs Executive Order Prohibiting Hair Discrimination \| The Lumberjack, Northern Arizona University	23 Mar 2023
Local Prof Hails Governor’s Hair Discrimination Ban \| Ahwatukee Foothills News	25 Mar 2023
CROWN Act prevents discrimination based on natural hair or texture \| Arizona PBS	30 Mar 2023

Personal, Political And Professional: Everyone Has A Hair Story

06 Jan 20

Professor explores hair’s cultural implications for African-Americans

08 Aug 15

‘Classic’ invisibility: Illusory ‘universals’ exclude, marginalize

29 Jul 15

Thieves Steal $50K Worth Of Weave From Chicago Beauty Supply | MadameNoir

26 Jun 14

Special Issue, “The Why and the Where of Hair,” The Lion and the Unicorn, Volume 37, Number 2

01 Apr 13

Digging at the roots while going for gold -- Gabby Douglas’ hair

11 Aug 12

These are some hairy times, The Washington Post

02 Jun 11

Race Lecture Connects Hair Portrayals to Self-Image, The State Press

10 Oct 10

Rapunzel, Rapunzel, let down your golden hair

13 Nov 09

Nappy Edges and Goldy Locks: African Americans and Hair

26 Jul 05

Nappy Edges and Goldy Locks: African-American Daughters and the Politics of Hair, The Lion and the Unicorn

01 Apr 00

Roots That Go Beyond Big Hair and a Bad Hair Day: ‘Nappy Hair’ Pieces, Children’s Literature in Education

01 Sep 99

Social Justice through Things and Stuff

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...

Media

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 - Dr. Neal Lester's Research Collection	Video	Click here	Jun 2023
4)	Black Family Geneology and History Society: Monthly Meeting May 2023	Video	Click here	May 2023
5)	Vital Voices Presentation at Carl Hayden Community High School	Video	Click here	Jan 2023
6)	Virtual Office Tour	Video	Click here	Nov 2022
7)	Vital Voices : Beyond Books - 2022	Video	Click here	Oct 2022
8)	Beyond Books: Social Justice through "Things" and "Stuff".	Video	Click here	Mar 2021
9)	"DENTIST" Original Antique Mechanical Bank	Video	Click here	Jan 2017

Articles

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

Learning for Justice (Blog, Southern Poverty Law Center)

Articles

“Boys Know What Girls Want”: Messages in Popular Music

Do boys know what girls want? You might think so if you believe everything you hear in pop songs.

Cheerios Ad Touches Racial Nerve

A recent Cheerios commercial reminds us of the historical roots of race in the United States. Those roots still cause social and political upset.

Classic Invisibility

Just because a bookshelf is full of "classics" doesn't mean it holds universal life lessons.

For White Allies in Search of a Solution to American Racism / When Folks of Color Are Exhausted

Racism, white privilege and white supremacy are challenges that people of color neither created nor should be expected to resolve. This scholar encourages white allies to step up.

“No, I Am Not OK.” Thanks for Asking.

As protesters across the nation rise up against police violence and systemic racism in support of Black lives, there’s something white allies need to recognize.

No Joking Matter: Words and Disability

While we are increasingly aware of the need to address racist, sexist, homophobic, ageist and classist language, ableist language is too often disregarded.

“Playing Black” for Laughs

A viral video sensation raises important questions about media constructions of “whiteness” and “blackness.”

Proposed Bill: An Ethnic Studies Ban "on Steroids"

Exploring our differences does not divide us; it highlights our identities and reveals our shared humanity.

'Redskins,' Names and Being Named

Controversy over a team name opens a national dialogue about race, identity and what’s in a name.

Teach the Talk, Don’t Ban the Book

In the past few weeks, we’ve included more than 20 articles in the Intellectual Freedom News about the To Kill a Mockingbird challenge/withdrawal/return-with-permission slips case in Biloxi, Mississippi. None of those articles have taken up what I think is the central issue in this case: teaching students to talk about controversial issues in and through literature.

The Disturbing “Monkey Business” of U.S. Black-White Race Relations

Representations of black people as animals is both a past and present manifestation of the United States’ complicated history with race.

'Tis the Season: Christianity and Jesus in Black and White

What message does a white Jesus send to Christians who are not white?

The Infamous N-word

No matter the spelling or context, the n-word remains intertwined with American racial tensions past and present.

The N-Word: Connected Through Historical Disconnect?

Dr. Neal Lester talks about meeting folks across the country who want thoughtful, informed and critical conversation about the troublesome n-word.

To Know Our American History Is to Know Ourselves

What does the rise in hate groups and hate crimes say about our American history and American democracy when all lives should matter?

“You Guys”?

In a world where words matter, why is there little to no real critical conversation about the mixed-gendered use of “you guys”?

Moderating Discussions

Media

S.No.	Media	Link	Date
1)	Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. & Economic Justice \| 15 Jan, 2024	Click here	Jan 2024
2)	Vital Voices: Banned Books - 2023	Click here	Jan 2023
3)	Vital Voices \| Banned Books - 2023	Click here	Jan 2023
4)	Dr. Neal Lester in conversation with Elvis Mitchell	Click here	Nov 2022
5)	Dr. Neal Lester in conversation with Mr. SOUL! Director	Click here	Nov 2022
6)	Ambassador's Expo	Click here	Jun 2022
7)	Exploring the "Poverty Porn" Industry	Click here	Mar 2022
8)	Vital Voices: Joy as a Radical Act	Click here	Jan 2022
9)	Vital Voices: What Children's Stories Taught Me about Humanity	Click here	Oct 2021
10)	Dispelling the Myths: "Critical Race Theory" in K-12 Classrooms	Click here	Aug 2021
11)	Vital Voices: The King We Don't Know	Click here	Jan 2021
12)	Vital Voices: The Uses of Anger	Click here	Sept 2020
13)	The Uses of Anger: Recap	Click here	Sept 2020
14)	Podcast Club: Spare the Kids	Click here	Jun 2020
15)	Vital Voices: ntozake shange Recap	Click here	Jan 2019
16)	So Excited! An Evening with Ruth Pointer- Ruth pointer talk	Click here	Apr 2016

Articles

Arts and Humanities: Essentials, Not Extras: The State of Black Arizona, Volume IV

2015