Tim Wise
Keynote Speaker: Anti-Racist Essayist, Author & Educator
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Tim Wise Biography
Tim Wise is among the most prominent anti-racist writers and educators in the United States. He has spent the past 25 years speaking to audiences in all 50 states, on over 1500 college and high school campuses, at hundreds of professional and academic conferences, and to community groups across the country.
Wise has also trained corporate, government, entertainment, media, law enforcement, military, and medical industry professionals on methods for dismantling racial inequity in their institutions, and has provided anti-racism training to educators and administrators nationwide and internationally, in Canada and Bermuda.
Wise is the author of nine books, including his latest, "Dispatches from the Race War" (City Lights Books). Other books include "Under the Affluence," "Dear White America: Letter to a New Minority and Colorblind" (all from City Lights Books); his highly-acclaimed memoir, "White Like Me: Reflections on Race from a Privileged Son," (recently updated and re-released by Soft Skull Press); "Affirmative Action: Racial Preference in Black and White;" "Speaking Treason Fluently: Anti-Racist Reflections From an Angry White Male;" and "Between Barack and a Hard Place: Racism and White Denial in the Age of Obama."
Named one of “25 Visionaries Who are Changing Your World,” by Utne Reader, Wise has contributed chapters or essays to over 25 additional books and his writings are taught in colleges and universities across the nation. His essays have appeared on Alternet, Salon, Huffington Post, Counterpunch, The Root, Black Commentator, BK Nation and Z Magazine among other popular, professional and scholarly journals.
From 1999-2003, Wise was an advisor to the Fisk University Race Relations Institute, in Nashville, and in the early ’90s he was Youth Coordinator and Associate Director of the Louisiana Coalition Against Racism and Nazism: the largest of the many groups organized for the purpose of defeating neo-Nazi political candidate, David Duke.
Wise has been featured in several documentaries, including two from the Media Education Foundation. “White Like Me: Race, Racism and White Privilege in America,” which he co-wrote and co-produced, has been called “A phenomenal educational tool in the struggle against racism,” and “One of the best films made on the unfinished quest for racial justice,” by Eduardo Bonilla-Silva of Duke University, and Robert Jensen of the University of Texas, respectively. "The Great White Hoax: Donald Trump & the Politics of Race & Class in America" features Wise explores how American political leaders of both parties have been tapping into white anxiety, stoking white grievance, and scapegoating people of color for decades to divide and conquer working class voters and shore up political support.
Wise also appears alongside legendary scholar and activist, Angela Davis, in the 2011 documentary, “Vocabulary of Change.” In this public dialogue between the two activists, Davis and Wise discussed the connections between issues of race, class, gender, sexuality and militarism, as well as inter-generational movement building and the prospects for social change. More recently, he appeared in Chelsea Handler's Netflix documentary Hello Privilege, It’s Me Chelsea on white privilege and racism in the United States.
Wise appears regularly on CNN and MSNBC to discuss race issues and was featured in a 2007 segment on 20/20. He graduated from Tulane University in 1990 and received antiracism training from the People’s Institute for Survival and Beyond, in New Orleans. He is also the host of the podcast, Speak Out with Tim Wise.
Contact a speaker booking agent to check availability on Tim Wise and other top speakers and celebrities.
Tim Wise Speaking Topics
From state legislatures to school boards to corporate boardrooms, the right has launched a war on so-called "wokeness," by which they mean any policies intended to address (or even acknowledge) systemic racial inequalities. This war involves dishonest attacks on Critical Race Theory, the banning of books in schools, and the prohibition of diversity training in government agencies and businesses. How can people dedicated to equity and fairness fight back? This speech addresses this question and provides participants with the rhetorical ammunition they need to fight back.
Among the issues examined:
- Why is the right attacking wokeness now? What is the real agenda behind the assault?
- How are they distorting Critical Race Theory, and why is CRT actually vital for understanding racism in America?
- Why are they afraid of the concept of systemic racism? Why is that concept important for people committed to equity?
- How can supporters of equity make the case in a way that minimizes defensiveness and backlash?
In this presentation, Wise examines the recent attacks on anti-racist education and the real motivations behind them. Although those leading the attack claim they are simply pushing back against “Critical Race Theory” — which they claim is anti-white and suggests America is an evil nation — CRT teaches no such things, and isn’t actually being taught in K-12 schools to begin with. When we examine what books and lessons the right is seeking to ban — including children’s books about Martin Luther King Jr. and Rosa Parks — it becomes clear: this isn’t about stopping “radical” ideas from being taught; it’s about whitewashing history. As Wise demonstrates, this assault on truth is about three things: seeking to stem support for the movement for racial justice and Black lives, seeking to blame the victims of racial injustice for their position in American society, and undermining support for public education itself.
With the Supreme Court poised to strike down affirmative action in admissions, colleges and universities will be faced with a dilemma: how to maintain and expand racial and ethnic diversity on campus absent the ability to explicitly consider race in the process of selecting students. In this presentation, Tim Wise explores the impact of the likely court ruling (due in June), and how colleges can and should respond. Although maintaining diversity and achieving equity will be more difficult in the absence of affirmative action as we’ve known it, the current moment also provides an opportunity for campuses to pivot and develop admissions policies that could, in the long run, facilitate even greater diversity and equity than had been previously achieved with the old policies. Why this matters, and how to make it work, is the subject of this timely new presentation.
Since the racial justice uprising of 2020, right-wing backlash and stalled progress on issues of racial equity have left many frustrated and worried about the direction of the racial justice movement. Although people of color are used to the long-term nature of the work, many white folks who only came into the movement after the murder of George Floyd are showing signs of fatigue and uncertainty. How can white people engage in racial justice work responsibly, without losing steam? What is their role in the work? What does real solidarity look like? This talk will help focus white antiracist efforts by grounding them in a historical context, and examining what it means to be conscious, connected, and committed to justice in an unjust world. How do we retain hope in hard times? And most importantly, how do we remain accountable as we engage with persons of color who have the most to lose if racial justice efforts fail?
In this presentation, Tim Wise examines DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion) efforts in the workplace, and how those efforts either support real change or perpetuate institutional inequity. As Wise explains, much of what gets done under the rubric of DEI doesn’t challenge fundamental cultural norms or practices that contribute to inequity, rendering DEI efforts DOA (dead on arrival), regardless of the good intentions of those charged with implementing them.
Until those structural impediments to change are explored and altered, institutions are setting up their DEI officers for failure, letting down their employees of color, and doing real damage to the cause of equity. Wise will provide examples of structural changes and institutional norms that promote equity, so that participants can walk away with tangible ideas on how to move real DEI work forward.
Tim Wise Videos
Under the Affluence: Shaming the Poor, Praising the Rich and Sacrificing the Future of America (City Lights Open Media)
Culture of Cruelty: How America's Elite Demonize the Poor, Valorize the Rich and Jeopardize the Future (City Lights Open Media)
Dear White America: Letter to a New Minority (City Lights Open Media)
White Like Me: Reflections on Race from a Privileged Son
Colorblind: The Rise of Post-Racial Politics and the Retreat from Racial Equity (City Lights Open Media)
How to book Tim Wise?
Our booking agents have successfully helped clients around the world secure talent like Tim Wise for speaking engagements, personal appearances, product endorsements, or corporate entertainment for over 15 years. The team at All American Entertainment represents and listens to the needs of organizations and corporations seeking to hire keynote speakers, celebrities or entertainers. Fill out a booking request form for Tim Wise, or call our office at 1.800.698.2536 to discuss your upcoming event. One of our experienced agents will be happy to help you get pricing information and check availability for Tim Wise or any other celebrity of your choice.
How much does it cost to book Tim Wise?
Booking fees for Tim Wise, or any other speakers and celebrities, are determined based on a number of factors and may change without notice. Pricing often varies according to the circumstances, including the talent's schedule, market conditions, length of presentation, and the location of the event. Speaker fees listed on this website are intended to serve as a guideline only. In some cases, the actual quote may be above or below the stated range. For the most current fee to hire Tim Wise, please fill out the booking request form or call our office at 1.800.698.2536 to speak with an experienced booking agent.
Who is the agent for Tim Wise?
All American Entertainment has successfully secured celebrity talent like Tim Wise for clients worldwide for more than 15 years. As a full-service talent 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. Fill out the booking request form or call our office at 1.800.698.2536, and one of our agents will assist you to book Tim Wise for your next private or corporate function.
What is a full-service talent booking agency?
All American Speakers is a "buyers agent" and exclusively represents talent buyers, meeting planners and event professionals, who are looking to secure celebrities and speakers for personal appearances, speaking engagements, corporate entertainment, public relations campaigns, commercials, or endorsements. We do not exclusively represent Tim Wise or claim ourselves as the exclusive booking agency, business manager, publicist, speakers bureau or management for Tim Wise or any other speaker or celebrity on this website. For more information on how we work and what makes us unique, please read the AAE Advantage.
Tim Wise is a keynote speaker and industry expert who speaks on a wide range of topics including Diversity, Authors and Education. The estimated speaking fee range to book Tim Wise for live events is $10,000 - $20,000, and for virtual events $10,000 - $20,000. Tim Wise generally travels from Nashville, TN, USA and can be booked for (private) corporate events, personal appearances, keynote speeches, or other performances. Similar motivational celebrity speakers are Nikki Giovanni, Dorothy Roberts and Ijeoma Oluo. Contact All American Speakers for ratings, reviews, videos and information on scheduling Tim Wise for an upcoming event.
SPEAKING TOPICS
Tim Wise Speaking Topics
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In Defense of "Wokeness:" How to Fight Back Against the Right's War on Equity
From state legislatures to school boards to corporate boardrooms, the right has launched a war on so-called "wokeness," by which they mean any policies intended to address (or even acknowledge) systemic racial inequalities. This war involves dishonest attacks on Critical Race Theory, the banning of books in schools, and the prohibition of diversity training in government agencies and businesses. How can people dedicated to equity and fairness fight back? This speech addresses this question and provides participants with the rhetorical ammunition they need to fight back.
Among the issues examined:
- Why is the right attacking wokeness now? What is the real agenda behind the assault?
- How are they distorting Critical Race Theory, and why is CRT actually vital for understanding racism in America?
- Why are they afraid of the concept of systemic racism? Why is that concept important for people committed to equity?
- How can supporters of equity make the case in a way that minimizes defensiveness and backlash?
-
The Attack on Critical Race Theory — What’s It Really About?
In this presentation, Wise examines the recent attacks on anti-racist education and the real motivations behind them. Although those leading the attack claim they are simply pushing back against “Critical Race Theory” — which they claim is anti-white and suggests America is an evil nation — CRT teaches no such things, and isn’t actually being taught in K-12 schools to begin with. When we examine what books and lessons the right is seeking to ban — including children’s books about Martin Luther King Jr. and Rosa Parks — it becomes clear: this isn’t about stopping “radical” ideas from being taught; it’s about whitewashing history. As Wise demonstrates, this assault on truth is about three things: seeking to stem support for the movement for racial justice and Black lives, seeking to blame the victims of racial injustice for their position in American society, and undermining support for public education itself.
-
Racial Justice on Campus in a Post-Affirmative Action World: What Colleges Can (and Must) Do Now
With the Supreme Court poised to strike down affirmative action in admissions, colleges and universities will be faced with a dilemma: how to maintain and expand racial and ethnic diversity on campus absent the ability to explicitly consider race in the process of selecting students. In this presentation, Tim Wise explores the impact of the likely court ruling (due in June), and how colleges can and should respond. Although maintaining diversity and achieving equity will be more difficult in the absence of affirmative action as we’ve known it, the current moment also provides an opportunity for campuses to pivot and develop admissions policies that could, in the long run, facilitate even greater diversity and equity than had been previously achieved with the old policies. Why this matters, and how to make it work, is the subject of this timely new presentation.
-
What White Folks Should Do Now: Anti-Racist Solidarity in an Age of Backlash
Since the racial justice uprising of 2020, right-wing backlash and stalled progress on issues of racial equity have left many frustrated and worried about the direction of the racial justice movement. Although people of color are used to the long-term nature of the work, many white folks who only came into the movement after the murder of George Floyd are showing signs of fatigue and uncertainty. How can white people engage in racial justice work responsibly, without losing steam? What is their role in the work? What does real solidarity look like? This talk will help focus white antiracist efforts by grounding them in a historical context, and examining what it means to be conscious, connected, and committed to justice in an unjust world. How do we retain hope in hard times? And most importantly, how do we remain accountable as we engage with persons of color who have the most to lose if racial justice efforts fail?
-
DEI or DOA? How To Move Beyond Window-Dressing to Achieve Institutional Equity
In this presentation, Tim Wise examines DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion) efforts in the workplace, and how those efforts either support real change or perpetuate institutional inequity. As Wise explains, much of what gets done under the rubric of DEI doesn’t challenge fundamental cultural norms or practices that contribute to inequity, rendering DEI efforts DOA (dead on arrival), regardless of the good intentions of those charged with implementing them.
Until those structural impediments to change are explored and altered, institutions are setting up their DEI officers for failure, letting down their employees of color, and doing real damage to the cause of equity. Wise will provide examples of structural changes and institutional norms that promote equity, so that participants can walk away with tangible ideas on how to move real DEI work forward.
VIDEO
Tim Wise Videos
BOOKS
Under the Affluence: Shaming the Poor, Praising the Rich and Sacrificing the Future of America (City Lights Open Media)
Culture of Cruelty: How America's Elite Demonize the Poor, Valorize the Rich and Jeopardize the Future (City Lights Open Media)
Dear White America: Letter to a New Minority (City Lights Open Media)
White Like Me: Reflections on Race from a Privileged Son
Colorblind: The Rise of Post-Racial Politics and the Retreat from Racial Equity (City Lights Open Media)
REVIEWS
Tim Wise Reviews
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Association of California School Administrators - Nov 19 2018
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Ivy Tech Community College-Bloomington - Mar 31 2017
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One of the most prolific speakers I’ve encountered. I heard students proclaim that Tim’s presentation changed their attitudes and helped them make a commitment to get involved with changing the system.
Director of Diversity, Midland Lutheran College, Fremont, NE - Jul 29 2015 -
Tim Wise is one of those rare ‘public intellectuals’ that numerous authors have suggested are becoming extinct in this society. He is evidence that this is not the case. In my judgment, he is the very best of the white anti-racism writers and commentators working in the U.S. media today.
Graduate Research Professor of Sociology, Texas A&M, and an award-winning author of over twenty books on race and racism issues - Jul 29 2015 -
Having seen probably 1000 campus presentations over the years, I can unequivocally say that Tim's was the most thoughtful, enriching and empathetic I have ever seen. His extemporaneous nuanced responses to the audience were profound and life-altering.
President, West Valley College, Saratoga CA - Jul 29 2015
NEWS
Tim Wise News
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Tim Wise at Sacramento State University Union Ballroom, 9/19/2013 ...
Tim Wise, lecture based his new book, "Culture of Cruelty: How America's Elite Demonize the Poor, Valorize the Rich and Jeopardize the Future" on how class ...
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Tim Wise encourages students to talk about race issues - The News ...
Tim Wise, a renowned anti-racism writer and speaker, tells students in a packed auditorium-style classroom in Old Chemistry that ignoring racism will not make it ...
LISTS
FAQ
How to book Tim Wise?
Our booking agents have successfully helped clients around the world secure talent like Tim Wise for speaking engagements, personal appearances, product endorsements, or corporate entertainment for over 15 years. The team at All American Entertainment represents and listens to the needs of organizations and corporations seeking to hire keynote speakers, celebrities or entertainers. Fill out a booking request form for Tim Wise, or call our office at 1.800.698.2536 to discuss your upcoming event. One of our experienced agents will be happy to help you get pricing information and check availability for Tim Wise or any other celebrity of your choice.
How much does it cost to book Tim Wise?
Booking fees for Tim Wise, or any other speakers and celebrities, are determined based on a number of factors and may change without notice. Pricing often varies according to the circumstances, including the talent's schedule, market conditions, length of presentation, and the location of the event. Speaker fees listed on this website are intended to serve as a guideline only. In some cases, the actual quote may be above or below the stated range. For the most current fee to hire Tim Wise, please fill out the booking request form or call our office at 1.800.698.2536 to speak with an experienced booking agent.
Who is the agent for Tim Wise?
All American Entertainment has successfully secured celebrity talent like Tim Wise for clients worldwide for more than 15 years. As a full-service talent 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. Fill out the booking request form or call our office at 1.800.698.2536, and one of our agents will assist you to book Tim Wise for your next private or corporate function.
What is a full-service talent booking agency?
All American Speakers is a "buyers agent" and exclusively represents talent buyers, meeting planners and event professionals, who are looking to secure celebrities and speakers for personal appearances, speaking engagements, corporate entertainment, public relations campaigns, commercials, or endorsements. We do not exclusively represent Tim Wise or claim ourselves as the exclusive booking agency, business manager, publicist, speakers bureau or management for Tim Wise or any other speaker or celebrity on this website. For more information on how we work and what makes us unique, please read the AAE Advantage.
Tim Wise is a keynote speaker and industry expert who speaks on a wide range of topics including Diversity, Authors and Education. The estimated speaking fee range to book Tim Wise for live events is $10,000 - $20,000, and for virtual events $10,000 - $20,000. Tim Wise generally travels from Nashville, TN, USA and can be booked for (private) corporate events, personal appearances, keynote speeches, or other performances. Similar motivational celebrity speakers are Nikki Giovanni, Dorothy Roberts and Ijeoma Oluo. Contact All American Speakers for ratings, reviews, videos and information on scheduling Tim Wise for an upcoming event.
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