BEVERLY DANIEL TATUM





President, Spelman College
Atlanta, GA
Ph. D., Clinical Psychology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor
M. A., Religious Studies, Hartford Seminary, Hartford, CT
M. A., Clinical Psychology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor
B. A., Psychology, magna cum laude, Wesleyan University


Research Areas
Dr. Tatum is a clinical psychologist whose areas of research interest include black families in white communities, racial identity in teens, and the role of race in the classroom. For over 20 years, Dr. Tatum has taught a course on the psychology of racism. She has also toured extensively, leading workshops on racial identity development and its impact in the classroom.

In her critically acclaimed 1997 book, “Why Are All the Black Kids Sitting Together in the Cafeteria?” and Other Conversations about Race, she applies her expertise on race to argue that straight talk about racial identity is essential to the nation. Going beyond the usual black-white paradigm, the book, which uses real life examples and the latest research, not only dispels race as taboo, but gives readers a new lens for understanding the emergence of racial identity as a developmental process experienced by everyone.

Dr. Tatum is also the author of Assimilation Blues: Black Families in a White Community (1987). In addition, she has published numerous articles, including her classic 1992 Harvard Educational Review article, “Talking about Race, Learning about Racism: An Application of Racial Identity Development Theory in the Classroom.”

Activities & Honors
Scholar, teacher, author, administrator and race relations expert, Dr. Beverly Daniel Tatum is the ninth president of Spelman College. Prior to her appointment to the Spelman presidency in 2002, she spent 13 years at Mount Holyoke College, serving in various roles during her tenure there as professor of psychology, department chair, dean of the College and acting president. When serving as Dean of the College and Vice President for Student Affairs at Mt. Holyoke, Dr. Tatum was awarded grants to create a climate of achievement for all students, to implement an intergroup dialogue model to build community in residence halls, and to support a network of antiracist educators.

As President of Spelman, she seeks to advance the College’s culture of high expectations through a five-point plan, known by its acronym ALIVE: Academic Excellence, Leadership Development, Improving our Environment, Visibility of Achievements, and Exemplary Customer Service.

Dr. Tatum recently received the prestigious 2005 Brock International Prize in Education, an award dedicated to honor an individual who has made a significant impact on the science and art of education.