Eddie Glaude Jr. to speak at ASU distinguished lecture

The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences at Arizona State University will host the annual Jonathan and Maxine Marshall Distinguished Lecture SeriesThe Jonathan and Maxine Marshall Distinguished Lecture Series brings nationally-known scholars concerned with promoting culture through the humanities and a better understanding of the problems of democracy to ASU. This annual free public lecture is funded with a gift from Jonathan and Maxine Marshall. with Eddie Glaude Jr., a passionate educator, author and political commentator.

The lecture, “An Evening with Eddie Glaude Jr.,” will take place at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 17, in Roskind Great Hall on ASU’s Tempe campus. It will be the signature event of The College’s annual Humanities Week — a collection of special events from Oct. 16–20 that highlight how students and faculty are exploring the human adventure across time, culture and place.

Founded two decades ago, the Center for the Study of Religion and Conflict has played a pivotal role in advancing our understanding of the complex interplay between religion, conflict and peacebuilding. This year, the Marshall Lecture celebrates the 20th anniversary of the center. 

“We are excited to welcome back Eddie Glaude Jr. to ASU to help celebrate our 20th anniversary. A longtime friend of the center, Professor Glaude’s discerning scholarship and commentary on the intersections of religion, race, politics and culture illustrate the ongoing importance of the center’s work and mission — not to mention the urgency of the challenges confronting our democracy,” said John Carlson, director of the Center for the Study of Religion and Conflict.

Glaude is a prominent scholar, author, political commentator and educator known for his profound exploration of the American experience. His works, such as "Democracy in Black," "In a Shade of Blue" and the New York Times bestseller "Begin Again," critically examine race in America and the challenges facing our democracy. Glaude follows in the tradition of James Baldwin and Ralph Waldo Emerson, confronting our nation's complexities and vulnerabilities while offering a glimpse of hope.

Glaude serves as the James S. McDonnell Distinguished University Professor and chair of the Department of African American Studies at Princeton University. He's also a trustee at Morehouse College and a Time magazine columnist. You can catch his insightful commentary on MSNBC's "Morning Joe," "Deadline: White House" and "Meet the Press."

Additionally, Glaude hosts Princeton's "AAS" podcast, focusing on African American studies and the 21st-century Black experience. As a respected scholar of religion and philosophy, he's a former president of the American Academy of Religion and has authored several notable books in this field.

A quintessential Morehouse man, Glaude's educational journey began in Moss Point, Mississippi, at 16 years old at the HBCUHistorically black colleges and universities are institutions of higher education in the United States that were established before the Civil Rights Act of 1964 with the intention of primarily serving African Americans. and alma mater of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. He holds a master’s degree in African American studies from Temple University and a PhD in religion from Princeton University.

Glaude is celebrated for his inspiring oratory and ability to foster meaningful conversations across diverse audiences. He challenges us all to reflect on our American conscience, not to idealize America but to create a foundation for imagining a better future for our country.

The lecture is free and open to the public. Visitor parking is available in several lots and parking garages near the venue. Learn more and RSVP at thecollege.asu.edu/marshall-lecture.