I am so grateful to have been a guest lecturer for so many great universities and organizations over the years. Among my favorite moments are speaking in front of over 200 Ohio University students on the topic of being gay and black on a predominately white college campus. I also enjoy speaking before smaller crowds as well, such as book clubs and community organizations. Check out some of my previous speaking engagements below.
I believe that my purpose as a novelist is to use literature to inspire conversations about social change. The themes in the Lazarus trilogy have inspired debates about cultural assimilation, the bullying-to-hazing pipeline, intercultural relationships, black femininity and masculinity, and fatherhood. Future novels will discuss the role of faith and culture through the lens of speculative fiction. Let’s talk about these themes.
I’m looking forward to meeting you, discussing my current projects, and delving into some of the issues raised in my work. Perhaps you’re interested in the intersections of race, orientation, and class on college campuses. Maybe you have an interest in bringing more diversity to your IFC or College Panhellenic. Or maybe you want to talk about the fiction-writing process one-on-one. I am open to these topics and so many more.
Developing sisterhood/brotherhood in a modern world
Healing and reconciliation between gay and straight fraternity members
The history and issues of gay members of black fraternities and sororities
The history of gay fraternities and sororities
Homophobia in the black community
Homosexuality in black literature since 1895
Independent publishing
Institutional racism in the gay community
What every parent needs to know about hazing
Keynote addresses of all kinds
Previous engagements:
Black, Gay, and Greek. California State University, Los Angeles. October 2012.
head/heart/soul. Black LGBT poetry reading. August 2012. OutWrite at The DC Center.
Fire & Ink Presents! at DC Black Pride 2012: “Why Do You Write/Read and How Do You Succeed?” Panel discussion, May 2012. (Recap available here.)
30th Annual Young Black Writers Contest Closing Reception. Keynote address to winners and families, sponsored by the Metropolitan DC Chapter of The Links, Inc. April 2012.
Black, Gay, and Greek. A discussion for Pride Month at the University of Maryland. April 2007.
Strolling 101. Alpha Phi Omega National Convention. December 2006.
Career Day. Coolidge High School. December 2006.
When Oppressed People Oppress. National Coming Out Week, Ohio University. October 2006.
Intersecting Black and LGBT Culture. Duke University LGBT Center. October 2006.
Homosexuality in Black Fraternities. (With Dr. Gregory Parks) Howard University Bookstore. July 2006.
Defining Sisterhood in the Modern World. Lambda Psi Delta National Conference, Orlando, FL. July 2006.
Strengthening the Multicultural Greek System. National Multicultural Greek Council Namaste Conference at NYU. May 2006.
Publishing Seminar. (With Lori Lincoln) Alpha Phi Omega at Howard University. September 2005.
LGBT Fraternities and Sororities. (With K. E. Banks) Atlanta Gay Black Pride. August 2005.
Building a Tolerant Community. Guy Talk (Now the Male Development Association), Georgetown/Duke Ellington School of the Arts. April 2005.
Event Photos
Rashid at Howard University in 2005
Speaking to the Black House Book Club at Georgetown University
Rashid with the Sigma Zeta Omega Chapter Book Club of AKA in Delaware.
Rashid speaking at the Federal City Alumnae Chapter (Delta Sigma Theta) Literary Expo
Rashid with artist Ramekon O’Arwisters at Duke University
Rashid with the Sisters Into Reading Book Club in Maryland
Rashid at the Lambda Psi Delta National Convention in Orlando, FL
