The Psychology of Belonging: Navigating Racial Identity and Psychological Safety in Diverse Spaces

Dr. Beverly Daniel Tatum, president emerita of Spelman College, best-selling author and clinical psychologist

Dr. Beverly Daniel Tatum—esteemed psychologist, scholar, and former president of Spelman College—joins Dickinson College for a moderated conversation inspired by her New York Times-bestselling book, “Why Are All the Black Kids Sitting Together in the Cafeteria?” And Other Conversations about Race. This dialogue will explore the psychological foundations of racial identity development and the ways in which students seek affirmation, belonging, and safety in community. Tatum will share insights into how identity formation shapes the student experience and why supportive environments are essential for student success.

As part of our Black History Month observance, this event offers a rare opportunity to engage directly with one of the nation’s leading voices in higher education. Together, we will reflect on what it means to build inclusive living and learning communities, a shared commitment that calls for both personal awareness and collective action.

Moderated by Dr. Jaquie Forbes, assistant professor of educational studies, and Dr. Tony Boston, vice president and chief diversity officer, the conversation will delve into topics of race, higher education, and the institutional work required to move toward inclusion and belonging. A book signing will follow the presentation.

This program is presented by the Division of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion and the Clarke Forum for Contemporary Issues.

Biography (provided by the speaker)

Dr. Beverly Daniel Tatum, president emerita of Spelman College, is a clinical psychologist widely known for both her expertise on race relations and as a thought leader in higher education. Her thirteen years as the president of Spelman College (2002-2015) were marked by innovation and growth and her visionary leadership was recognized in 2013 with the Carnegie Academic Leadership Award. The author of several books including the best-selling “Why Are All the Black Kids Sitting Together in the Cafeteria?” And Other Conversations About Race (now in a new 2017 20th anniversary edition) and Can We Talk About Race? and Other Conversations in an Era of School Resegregation (2007), Tatum is a sought-after speaker on the topic of racial identity development, the impact of race in the classroom, strategies for creating inclusive campus environments, and higher education leadership. In 2005 Dr. Tatum was awarded the prestigious Brock International Prize in Education for her innovative leadership in the field. A Fellow of the American Psychological Association, she was the 2014 recipient of the APA Award for Outstanding Lifetime Contributions to Psychology.

A civic leader in the Atlanta community, Dr. Tatum is engaged in educational initiatives designed to expand educational opportunity for underserved students and their families, as well as to connect communities across lines of difference. Locally she serves on the governing boards of the Westside Future Fund, Achieve Atlanta, the Tull Charitable Foundation and Morehouse College. Her national service includes her membership on the boards of Smith College, the Educational Testing Service, and Sesame Workshop.

She holds a B.A. degree in psychology from Wesleyan University, and M.A. and Ph.D. in clinical psychology from the University of Michigan as well as an M.A. in religious studies from Hartford Seminary. Over the course of her career, she has served as a faculty member at the University of California, Santa Barbara, Westfield State University, and Mount Holyoke College. Prior to her 2002 appointment as president of Spelman, she served as dean and acting president at Mount Holyoke College. In Spring 2017 she was the Mimi and Peter E. Haas Distinguished Visitor at Stanford University. She is married to Dr. Travis Tatum; they are the parents of two adult sons.