<p>Dr. Joan Morgan is an award-winning journalist and author, and a provocative cultural critic. Morgan's passion and commitment to the accurate documentation of hip-hop culture combined with adept cultural criticism placed her at the forefront of music journalism.</p><p>She was one of the original staff writers at <i>Vibe</i> magazine and a contributing editor and columnist for<i> Spin</i>. Morgan has written for numerous publications including <i>MS</i>., <i>More</i>, <i>Interview</i>, <i>Working Mother</i>, <i>GIANT,</i> and<i> Essence</i> magazines. In January 2000, she was asked to join the <i>Essence</i> staff, where she served as executive editor.</p><p>The term "hip-hop feminism" was coined by Morgan in 1999, when she published the groundbreaking book, <i>When Chickenheads Come Home to Roost</i>. Her book has been used in college coursework across the country. Fresh, witty and irreverent, it marked the literary debut of one of the most original, perceptive and engaging young social commentators in America today. She has made numerous television and radio appearances--among them MTV, BET, VH-1 and CNN. She was also featured in the ESPN 30 for 30 documentary <i>Night in Vegas</i>. Joan's recent book <i>She Begat This</i> provides an in-depth analysis of <i>The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill</i> and explores the role of this<span style="color: rgb(112, 110, 107);"> unprecedented album in</span> shaping the hip-hop landscape.</p><p>An engaging and entertaining speaker, Morgan focuses on the diverse realities of young women and men of the hip-hop generation, her career in music journalism, and how she became the foremother of hip-hop feminism.</p>
Award-Winning Author and Journalist
<ul><li><strong>Is America "Post-Racial?" What Would Dr. King Say?</strong></li><li>The speech looks at Barack Obama's candidacy and election, and the changing racial and ethnic composition of America since Dr. Martin Luther King delivered his "I Have A Dream" speech in 1963. What would Dr. King make of the changing composition of America and its impact on America's black and white racial binary? Who are we talking about in 2011, when we use the term African American? How useful is it to still use the terms Black and African American interchangeably? And finally, what impact does this heterogeneous and multi-ethnic American Blackness have on the country from a political, social and economic perspective?</li><li><strong>Hip-Hop Made Me a Better Feminist</strong></li><li>Drawing from almost two decades of experience, media speaker Joan Morgan explores the often conflicting words of hip-hop and feminism. She shares her journey from pioneering hip-hop journalist to becoming the foremother of hip-hop feminism, while exploring challenges faced by young women and men of the hip-hop generation.</li><li><strong>Black Love on the Battle Lines</strong></li><li>In this riveting lecture, keynote speaker Joan Morgan argues that a functional feminism for the hip-hop generation must address the beleaguered state of African-American relationships, families and marriages. Her unique insights offer compelling, refreshing alternatives to the collective panic evoked by doomsday statistics. This lecture can be also be offered in the more intimate format of all women/men discussion groups followed immediately by a co-ed address.</li></ul>