Tim Wise is one of the country’s most compelling voices on culture, politics, and power, bringing three decades of experience to some of the most urgent issues of our time. A gifted storyteller and sharp strategist, he helps audiences understand how we got here, what’s at stake, and how to move forward with clarity, courage, and purpose.
Wise has spoken at more than 1,700 college campuses and hundreds of conferences, nonprofits, and leadership summits, reaching audiences across education, business, law, public service, and media. His talks offer not only historical insight and sharp analysis, but also concrete strategies for shifting institutional culture and navigating today’s polarized climate.
He is the author of nine books, including Dispatches from the Race War, Under the Affluence, Dear White America, and the acclaimed memoir White Like Me: Reflections on Race from a Privileged Son. His work has appeared in Salon, The Root, HuffPost, and numerous anthologies, and is widely used in classrooms and professional training programs.
Wise is a frequent commentator on CNN and MSNBC and has appeared in several documentaries, including White Like Me, The Great White Hoax, and Vocabulary of Change with Angela Davis. He began his career organizing against the political rise of white nationalism in Louisiana, later advising Fisk University’s Race Relations Institute and training professionals across sectors.
He currently serves as a Senior Fellow at the African American Policy Forum, contributing to public education and strategic dialogue on racial justice and intersectionality.
Whether speaking to educators, students, civic leaders, or executives, Tim Wise offers a compelling voice for truth-telling, bridge-building, and institutional transformation in a time that demands nothing less.
An Evening with Tim Wise: A Moderated Conversation on Power, Culture, and the Path Forward
Audiences bring Tim Wise to break it down—and this format offers the best of what he brings. In this engaging and wide-ranging conversation, Wise reflects on the political and cultural shifts defining our moment, from race and democracy to narrative warfare and institutional change. Through historical insight, sharp critique, and memorable storytelling, he offers a grounded lens on how we got here and how we move forward.
Beyond Diversity: What It Takes to Shift Institutions
This session moves past symbolic inclusion efforts to examine how real change happens. Tim Wise unpacks the deeper roots of inequity—embedded in culture, structure, and story—and shares concrete strategies for confronting bias, shifting culture, and transforming institutions. This session can be adapted for education, business, nonprofit, or government audiences and includes tools for reflection, accountability, and action.
Leading with Clarity: What It Takes to Move People and Institutions in Uncertain Times
Tim Wise explores what authentic leadership looks like in moments of conflict, fear, and political retreat. Through story and strategy, he offers tools for building trust, navigating backlash, and staying grounded in shared values while advancing institutional change.
The Backlash Moment: Why Democracy Feels Fragile and What We Can Do About It
From school boards to the Supreme Court, today's backlash is not new—but it is dangerous. Tim Wise offers historical perspective on the rise of reactionary politics, the roots of authoritarian drift, and how everyday people can organize, resist, and respond with clarity and resolve.
Culture Wars and Critical Thinking: Understanding the Narrative Battles of Our Time
This talk unpacks how disinformation, fear-based storytelling, and weaponized “free speech” have shaped today’s political and educational climates. Wise helps audiences sharpen their lens on narrative control, media messaging, and the power of critical thought in building long-term change.
Free Speech and Accountability: Moving Beyond Cancel Culture and Culture Wars
Debates around free speech, cancel culture, and academic freedom have become flashpoints across institutions—but what’s really at stake? In this nuanced and engaging talk, Tim Wise examines the historical and political roots of today’s discourse wars and challenges false binaries between expression and accountability. Through story, analysis, and cultural critique, he explores how institutions can uphold both free inquiry and shared values—and how to foster environments where people can speak, listen, and grow. This session is ideal for campuses, organizations, and communities seeking clarity in the chaos.
