DR. CLIFFORD E. DEBAPTISTE FREDERICK DOUGLASS LECTURE SERIES

The Dr. Clifford E. DeBaptiste Frederick Douglass Lecture is an educational and cultural resource for advancing multicultural studies across the community and for deepening the intellectual heritage of Frederick Douglass.

The goal of the lecture is to maintain the legacy of the great abolitionist, orator, and statesman Frederick Douglass before the campus community, local community, region, and the nation. The Dr. Clifford E. DeBaptiste Frederick Douglass Lecture is an educational and cultural resource for advancing multicultural studies across the community and for deepening the intellectual heritage of Frederick Douglass. Each year a guest lecturer is invited to be the speaker, with the goal of attracting a wide audience.

The lecture, which is open to the public free of charge, is hosted by the Frederick Douglass Institute and is made possible through the generous gift of Dr. Clifford DeBaptiste, the first African‐American mayor of West Chester Borough and a recognized champion of education. Highlighting Dr. DeBaptiste’s life of service and dedication to the West Chester University community, Dr. Christopher Fiorentino made the following observations, “Our students and those who live in the community are fortunate to be aligned with an individual who is deeply committed to advancing humanity and initiating rich conversations about the legacy of a man whose life merits much reflection.”

“All of us can become well‐rounded citizen scholars by studying Douglass’ example, examining issues of social justice, and improving the present by learning from the past. We are equally proud that West Chester University’s Frederick Douglass Institute will be taking the lead in coordinating these particularly relevant lectures for many years to come.”

Previous Lecture Programs

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The Fifth Annual Dr. Clifford E. DeBaptiste Frederick Douglass Institute Lecture 
Featuring Distinguished Speaker
Rev. Dr. Kyle Boyer

America's Alternative: Embracing the Prophectic Possibilities of Frederick Douglass

View the Lecture Program
2024 Lecture Photos
2024 Lecture Recording

Dr. Brenda Allen

The Fourth Annual Dr. Clifford E. DeBaptiste
Frederick Douglass Institute Lecture

Featuring Distinguished Speaker
Dr. Brenda Allen
President, Lincoln University

"Literacy Versus Orality or Orality Supports Literacy: The Power of Culture in Producing Educational Equity"

View the Lecture Program
2023 Lecture Photos
2023 Lecture Recording

Senator Andy Dinniman

The Third Annual Dr. Clifford E. DeBaptiste Frederick Douglass Institute Lecture
Featuring
Senator Andy Dinniman

"The Life and Legacy of Frederick Douglass in the America of 2022"

View the Lecture Program
2022 Lecture Photos
2022 Lecture Recording

Dr. Wayne Croft Sr.

The Second Dr. Clifford E. DeBaptiste Frederick Douglass Institute Lecture 
Featuring Distinguished Speaker
Rev. Dr. Wayne Croft Sr.

Frederick Douglass: A Prophet of Hope by the Rivers of Babylon

2021 Lecture Photos
2021 Lecture Recording

Dr. James Trotman

The Inaugural Dr. Clifford E. DeBaptiste Frederick Douglass Institute Lecture
Featuring Distinguished Speaker
Dr. James Trotman

2018 Lecture Photos
2018 Lecture Recording