Michelle Duster
Keynote Speaker: Author, Public Historian & Educator; Expert on African American History & Women's Studies; Author of "Ida B. the Queen"
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Michelle Duster Biography
Michelle Duster is an author, public historian, and educator whose work focuses on racial and gender equity, African American history, and women's studies. Throughout a career spanning more than three decades, Duster has highlighted and documented the contributions of African Americans and women to United States history, including those of her paternal great-grandmother, Ida B. Wells. A native of Chicago, Duster earned a Bachelor of Arts in psychology from Dartmouth College and a Master of Arts in media studies from The New School in New York City.
Duster describes her mission as working to "unerase Black women." She has contributed to the fields of public history, cultural education, and social justice through writing, editing, and contributing to numerous articles and more than 20 books. Her work extends to monuments, historical markers, murals, statues, documentary films, and film festivals, all aimed at telling stories that have often been omitted or marginalized. The first two decades of her career were in advertising, marketing, and program coordination before she shifted her focus to writing and public history. Duster serves as a columnist and cultural education editor for Rebellious Magazine for Women and has written for Ms. Magazine, TIME, Essence, HuffPost, The Hill, Teen Vogue, People, Glamour, Daily Beast, and North Star.
Duster's published works include "Ida B. the Queen: The Extraordinary Life and Legacy of Ida B. Wells," a historical account of Ida B. Wells's impact on civil rights and social justice, and "Ida B. Wells, Voice of Truth," a picture book biography. She also co-edited the anthologies "Impact: Personal Portraits of Activism" and "Michelle Obama's Impact on African American Women and Girls." Duster has contributed to PBS documentary films and has appeared on MSNBC, CNN, WTTW, CBS, and CW, as well as on various radio programs.
Duster's advocacy has resulted in tangible changes in the public landscape. She was part of the committee that commissioned sculptor Richard Hunt to create the Light of Truth: Ida B. Wells National Monument in Chicago's Bronzeville neighborhood. Duster was also involved in renaming Congress Parkway to Ida B. Wells Drive, marking the first time a downtown Chicago street was named after a woman or person of color. She has consulted on projects with Mattel for the Ida B. Wells doll and with the United States Mint for the design of the Ida B. Wells quarter. Duster spoke at the White House alongside President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris for the signing of the Emmett Till Anti-Lynching Act.
Duster has received numerous awards, including the Jean S. Hunt Historian Award from Chicago Women's History Center, the Living Legacy Award from ASALH, the Ripple Effect Award from Public Narrative, the Multi-Generational Activist Award from the Illinois Human Rights Commission, and the Martin Luther King Jr. Social Justice Award from Dartmouth College. Duster was selected as a HistoryMaker of African American Civic Leaders, with her oral history interview archived at the Library of Congress. She leads the Ida B. Wells Memorial Foundation, which awards scholarships to students at Rust College and the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, and supports the Ida B. Wells-Barnett Museum in Holly Springs, Mississippi.
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Michelle Duster Speaking Topics
The combined lifespans of these two leaders is over one hundred years of struggle for freedom, justice, and racial equality. Their lives overlapped by two years, so one can think that Wells passed the activist baton to King. Although they were two generations apart, they have a lot in common. Michelle Duster highlights the similarities between these two activists and offers suggestions on how today’s leaders can make an impact by adopting some of the strategies used by Wells and King.
Information included in the mainstream media has historically been told through an overwhelmingly white male lens. As a result, the perspectives and realities of African Americans tend to be overlooked, skewed, or erased. In order to combat this, some have taken initiative to report their own realities. During the late 19th and early 20th centuries, Ida B. Wells took control, countered false narratives, and chronicled the realities of lynchings and riots during her time. A century later, the African American community is still impacted by racial inequality and state-sanctioned violence. Writer, speaker, educator, Michelle Duster, will discuss how her paternal great-grandmother, Ida B. Wells pioneered data journalism and how that tradition contributes to truth and justice.
In this conversation, centered on her book Ida B the Queen and essay featured in Four Hundred Souls: A Community History of African America Michelle Duster, author, speaker, and educator will touch on the events leading up to, during, and following the race riots of the Red Summer of 1919. She will explain how the lack of implementation of solutions presented after that summer’s riots are tied to the current social and civil unrest.
Even though the suffrage movement was focused on women gaining the right to vote, the battle was mostly fought separately along racial lines. White women shunned and marginalized African American women, which propelled them to form their own groups. Author, speaker, and educator, Michelle Duster explains the racial divisions that her great-grandmother, Ida B. Wells, and other suffragists experienced and how the struggle for African American women to be included extends to today’s struggle for inclusion in the documentation and commemorations of the movement as well as current voting rights.
Author, speaker and educator, Michelle Duster will discuss the work and legacy of her paternal great-grandmother, Ida B. Wells, and the multi-generational family efforts to make sure her ancestor's contributions to the country are recognized and honored. The author of Ida B the Queen has worked on a PBS documentary film, edited two books that include her ancestor's writing, a Chicago monument, an honorary street name, a public marker, and a major downtown Chicago street. She consults on other national projects that feature her ancestor. In addition, she manages the Ida B. Wells Memorial Foundation which provides college scholarships and supports public history projects that include Ida B. Wells.
Ida B. Wells lived through violent and lawless times which is explained and discussed. The composition of the audience determines the level of detail and selection of images that will be included.
Michelle Duster Videos
How do I book Michelle Duster to speak at my event?
Our experienced booking agents have successfully helped clients around the world secure speakers like Michelle Duster for speaking engagements, personal appearances, product endorsements, or corporate entertainment since 2002. Click the Check Schedule button above and complete the form on this page to check availability for Michelle Duster, or call our office at 1.855.383.8805 to discuss your upcoming event. One of our experienced agents will be happy to help you get speaking fee information and check availability for Michelle Duster or any other speaker of your choice.
How much does it cost to book Michelle Duster for a speaking engagement?
Speaking fees for Michelle Duster, or any other speakers and celebrities, are determined based on a number of factors and may change without notice. The estimated fees to book Michelle Duster are Below $10,000 for live events and Below $10,000 for virtual events. For the most current speaking fee to hire Michelle Duster, click the Check Schedule button above and complete the form on this page, or call our office at 1.855.383.8805 to speak directly with an experienced booking agent.
What topics does Michelle Duster speak about?
Michelle Duster is a keynote speaker and industry expert who speaks on a wide range of topics such as Author, Education, Educational Motivational, Social Activism, Anti-Racism, Diversity & Inclusion, Black Heritage, Black History Month, Bestselling Authors and College.
Where does Michelle Duster travel from?
Michelle Duster generally travels from Chicago, IL, USA and can be booked for (private) corporate events, personal appearances, keynote speeches, or other performances.
Who is the agent for Michelle Duster?
AAE Speakers Bureau has successfully secured keynote speakers like Michelle Duster for clients worldwide since 2002. As a full-service speaker booking agency, we have access to virtually any speaker or celebrity in the world. Our agents are happy and able to submit an offer to the speaker or celebrity of your choice, letting you benefit from our reputation and long-standing relationships in the industry. Please click the Check Schedule button above and complete the form on this page including the details of your event, or call our office at 1.855.383.8805, and one of our agents will assist you to book Michelle Duster for your next private or corporate function.
What is a full-service speaker booking agency?
AAE Speakers Bureau is a full-service speaker booking agency, meaning we can completely manage the speaker’s or celebrity’s engagement with your organization from the time of booking your speaker through the event’s completion. We provide all of the services you need to host Michelle Duster or any other speaker of your choice, including offer negotiation, contractual assistance, accounting and billing, and event speaker travel and logistics services. When you book a speaker with us, we manage the process of hosting a speaker for you as an extension of your team. Our goal is to give our clients peace of mind and a best-in-class service experience when booking a speaker with us.
Why is AAE Speakers Bureau different from other booking agencies?
If you’re looking for the best speaker recommendations, paired with a top-notch customer service experience, you’re in the right place. At AAE Speakers Bureau, we exclusively represent the interests of our clients - professional organizations, companies, universities, and associations. We intentionally do not represent the speakers we feature or book. That is so we can present our clients with the broadest and best performing set of speaker options in the market today, and we can make these recommendations without any obligation to promote a specific speaker over another. This is why when our agents suggest a speaker for your event, you can be assured that they are of the highest quality with a history of proven success with our other clients.
Michelle Duster is a keynote speaker and industry expert who speaks on a wide range of topics including Author, Education and Educational Motivational. The estimated speaking fee range to book Michelle Duster for live events is Below $10,000, and for virtual events Below $10,000. Michelle Duster generally travels from Chicago, IL, USA and can be booked for (private) corporate events, personal appearances, keynote speeches, or other performances. Similar motivational celebrity speakers are Yoruba Richen, Xernona Clayton and Dr. Carolyn Jefferson-Jenkins. Contact All American Speakers for ratings, reviews, videos and information on scheduling Michelle Duster for an upcoming event.
SPEAKING TOPICS
Michelle Duster Speaking Topics
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Make an Impact: Lessons from Ida B. Wells and Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
The combined lifespans of these two leaders is over one hundred years of struggle for freedom, justice, and racial equality. Their lives overlapped by two years, so one can think that Wells passed the activist baton to King. Although they were two generations apart, they have a lot in common. Michelle Duster highlights the similarities between these two activists and offers suggestions on how today’s leaders can make an impact by adopting some of the strategies used by Wells and King.
-
Ida B. Wells & Today's Street Journalism
Information included in the mainstream media has historically been told through an overwhelmingly white male lens. As a result, the perspectives and realities of African Americans tend to be overlooked, skewed, or erased. In order to combat this, some have taken initiative to report their own realities. During the late 19th and early 20th centuries, Ida B. Wells took control, countered false narratives, and chronicled the realities of lynchings and riots during her time. A century later, the African American community is still impacted by racial inequality and state-sanctioned violence. Writer, speaker, educator, Michelle Duster, will discuss how her paternal great-grandmother, Ida B. Wells pioneered data journalism and how that tradition contributes to truth and justice.
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From 1919 Black Awakening to 2021 Black Lives Matter Movement
In this conversation, centered on her book Ida B the Queen and essay featured in Four Hundred Souls: A Community History of African America Michelle Duster, author, speaker, and educator will touch on the events leading up to, during, and following the race riots of the Red Summer of 1919. She will explain how the lack of implementation of solutions presented after that summer’s riots are tied to the current social and civil unrest.
-
African American Suffragists and the Struggle for Inclusion
Even though the suffrage movement was focused on women gaining the right to vote, the battle was mostly fought separately along racial lines. White women shunned and marginalized African American women, which propelled them to form their own groups. Author, speaker, and educator, Michelle Duster explains the racial divisions that her great-grandmother, Ida B. Wells, and other suffragists experienced and how the struggle for African American women to be included extends to today’s struggle for inclusion in the documentation and commemorations of the movement as well as current voting rights.
-
Ida B. Wells and Family Legacy of Determination, Education & Agitation
Author, speaker and educator, Michelle Duster will discuss the work and legacy of her paternal great-grandmother, Ida B. Wells, and the multi-generational family efforts to make sure her ancestor's contributions to the country are recognized and honored. The author of Ida B the Queen has worked on a PBS documentary film, edited two books that include her ancestor's writing, a Chicago monument, an honorary street name, a public marker, and a major downtown Chicago street. She consults on other national projects that feature her ancestor. In addition, she manages the Ida B. Wells Memorial Foundation which provides college scholarships and supports public history projects that include Ida B. Wells.
Ida B. Wells lived through violent and lawless times which is explained and discussed. The composition of the audience determines the level of detail and selection of images that will be included.
VIDEO
Michelle Duster Videos
BOOKS
REVIEWS
Michelle Duster Reviews
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Michelle is an effective and engaged speaker, and our students and faculty were all raving about her talk afterward.
Minnesota State University, Mankato - Apr 19 2023 -
YMCA of South Florida - Jan 20 2023
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Elmhurst University - Feb 17 2022
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I can imagine that this is a busy time for Michelle Duster with both Black History Month and Women's History Month back-to-back, along with the release of the book "Ida B. the Queen". However, I never felt like my communication was not prioritized. Finally, Michelle Duster's talk inspired our department and enlightened us on the legacy of Ida B. Wells as a sociologist. It was a phenomenal event. Thank you very much!
University of Central Florida Board of Trustees - Mar 06 2021 -
Oakton Community College - Mar 18 2020
FAQS
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How do I book Michelle Duster to speak at my event?
Our experienced booking agents have successfully helped clients around the world secure speakers like Michelle Duster for speaking engagements, personal appearances, product endorsements, or corporate entertainment since 2002. Click the Check Schedule button above and complete the form on this page to check availability for Michelle Duster, or call our office at 1.855.383.8805 to discuss your upcoming event. One of our experienced agents will be happy to help you get speaking fee information and check availability for Michelle Duster or any other speaker of your choice. -
How much does it cost to book Michelle Duster for a speaking engagement?
Speaking fees for Michelle Duster, or any other speakers and celebrities, are determined based on a number of factors and may change without notice. The estimated fees to book Michelle Duster are Below $10,000 for live events and Below $10,000 for virtual events. For the most current speaking fee to hire Michelle Duster, click the Check Schedule button above and complete the form on this page, or call our office at 1.855.383.8805 to speak directly with an experienced booking agent. -
What topics does Michelle Duster speak about?
Michelle Duster is a keynote speaker and industry expert who speaks on a wide range of topics such as Author, Education, Educational Motivational, Social Activism, Anti-Racism, Diversity & Inclusion, Black Heritage, Black History Month, Bestselling Authors and College. -
Where does Michelle Duster travel from?
Michelle Duster generally travels from Chicago, IL, USA and can be booked for (private) corporate events, personal appearances, keynote speeches, or other performances. -
Who is the agent for Michelle Duster?
AAE Speakers Bureau has successfully secured keynote speakers like Michelle Duster for clients worldwide since 2002. As a full-service speaker booking agency, we have access to virtually any speaker or celebrity in the world. Our agents are happy and able to submit an offer to the speaker or celebrity of your choice, letting you benefit from our reputation and long-standing relationships in the industry. Please click the Check Schedule button above and complete the form on this page including the details of your event, or call our office at 1.855.383.8805, and one of our agents will assist you to book Michelle Duster for your next private or corporate function. -
What is a full-service speaker booking agency?
AAE Speakers Bureau is a full-service speaker booking agency, meaning we can completely manage the speaker’s or celebrity’s engagement with your organization from the time of booking your speaker through the event’s completion. We provide all of the services you need to host Michelle Duster or any other speaker of your choice, including offer negotiation, contractual assistance, accounting and billing, and event speaker travel and logistics services. When you book a speaker with us, we manage the process of hosting a speaker for you as an extension of your team. Our goal is to give our clients peace of mind and a best-in-class service experience when booking a speaker with us. -
Why is AAE Speakers Bureau different from other booking agencies?
If you’re looking for the best speaker recommendations, paired with a top-notch customer service experience, you’re in the right place. At AAE Speakers Bureau, we exclusively represent the interests of our clients - professional organizations, companies, universities, and associations. We intentionally do not represent the speakers we feature or book. That is so we can present our clients with the broadest and best performing set of speaker options in the market today, and we can make these recommendations without any obligation to promote a specific speaker over another. This is why when our agents suggest a speaker for your event, you can be assured that they are of the highest quality with a history of proven success with our other clients.
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