Institute for Faith and Learning opens its 2021-22 speaker series with a presentation by Leslie Dula McKesson, Ph.D. The event is free and open to the public.

A retired community college educator and administrator, McKesson combines her career experience, family history and academic research to lead people in discussions around race and equity. Her presentation is titled “Critical Race Theory and the Church.”

McKesson’s work spans her career, with some of her current roles including equity specialist for The Industrial Commons, Commissioner for the North Carolina African American Heritage Commission, president of Historic Burke Foundation and member of the North Caroliniana Society. In addition, she currently serves as adjunct faculty with Appalachian State University and has taught graduate leadership studies at Lenoir-Rhyne. An author and public speaker, McKesson has received numerous awards and distinctions. She is married with four adult children and 14 grandchildren.