Locke to deliver annual ASU A. Wade Smith Memorial Lecture on Race Relations

Mamie Locke was the first African-American woman to be elected mayor of Hampton, Virginia. Since 2004, Locke has served as a member of the Senate of Virginia for the 2nd District.

On March 18, Locke will be featured in The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences’ 24th annual A. Wade Smith Memorial Lecture on Race Relations at Arizona State University.

Locke, who earned a PhD in political science from Atlanta University (later Clark Atlanta University) and is a professor of political science and history at Hampton University, will discuss "The Continuing Saga of Race and Racism in American Society."

“We are grateful for the opportunity to invite Dr. Locke to ASU to discuss issues of race and gender in our communities at this year’s A. Wade Smith Memorial Lecture,” said Patrick Kenney, dean of The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences.

Who: Mamie Locke
What: 24th annual A. Wade Smith Memorial Lecture on Race Relations
When: 7 p.m. Monday, March 18
Where: Old Main, Carson Ballroom​, ASU Tempe campus

The event is free and open to the public. Seating is limited and on a first-come, first-served basis. Doors will open at 6:30 p.m.

About Mamie Locke

As an elected official, Mamie E. Locke was the first African-American woman to be elected mayor of the city of Hampton. After eight years of service, she became the third African-American woman to win a seat in the Senate of Virginia. Representing the 2nd District, she serves on the following committees: Education and Health, General Laws and Technology, Rehabilitation and Social Services, and Rules. She is the chair of the Senate Democratic Caucus. She also served as chair of the Virginia Legislative Black Caucus.

Throughout her political career, she has been a strong advocate for education, women's rights, affordable housing, Medicaid expansion, increased minimum wage, gun control and equity in the criminal justice system.

About the lecture series

The A. Wade Smith Memorial Lecture on Race Relations was created in 1995 to perpetuate the work of a man who had devoted his life to the idea of racial parity. As professor and chair of sociology at Arizona State University, A. Wade Smith worked tirelessly to improve race relations on the ASU campus and within the greater community.

When he died of cancer at the age of 43, his wife, family members and friends made memorial gifts to establish and fund this lecture series.