Renowned historian and museum leader Christy Coleman to deliver convocation at Carleton College
Coleman has served in leadership positions for some of the most prominent history museums in the U.S.
Over her 35-year career, Christy Coleman has served as the chief executive officer of some of the nation’s most prominent museums. Coleman has held leadership roles at the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation, the Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History and the American Civil War Museum. She now serves as executive director of the Jamestown-Yorktown Foundation.
An advocate for the power of museums, narrative correction, diversity and inclusiveness, Coleman has received numerous awards, including three honorary doctorate degrees. Coleman fearlessly confronts the past as part of her work in the field of African American history, believing that “we’ll never get right with each other until we’ve got our shared history right.” For her innovative approach and decades of impact, Time Magazine named her one of the “31 People Changing the South” (2018) and Worth Magazine named her one of “29 Women Changing the World” (2019).
Coleman has published numerous articles, appeared on various national television programs, and is an accomplished screenwriter and public speaker. As a historical consultant, Coleman has overseen the award-winning film “Harriet” and the series “Good Lord Bird.” She has also appeared in many award-winning documentaries, including “Grant,” “Abraham Lincoln,” “Black Patriots: Civil War Heroes,” “When the Monuments Came Down” and “Neutral Ground.”
Coleman earned her B.A. and M.A. in museum studies from Hampton University.
Carleton convocations are free and open to the public. Find upcoming events and archived recordings on the convocations website. For more information, including disability accommodations, call (507) 222-5461 or email nponder@carleton.edu.